Telecom Cable Plant Engineer

Leidos Inc; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Inc. seeks a Telecom Cable Plant Engineer to design, document, and upgrade cable plant (ISP/OSP) for USAP. You will manage the Cable Management System (Patch Manager), ensure data accuracy, and develop SOPs for data validation and QA.

Deployment to Antarctica is required, with stations like McMurdo and South Pole, plus logistics hubs. US citizenship and a Public Trust clearance are required. Field work includes designing telecom upgrades, coordinating data gathering, and training staff.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Telecommunications or Electrical Engineering and 5+ years in telecom.
• 2+ years telecom design/engineering and 1+ year data management.
• Experience with Cable Management database systems and telecom wiring standards.
• Ability to troubleshoot and communicate technical concepts.

Responsibilities

• Design, engineer, and implement telecom systems meeting enterprise requirements.
• Maintain and update the Cable Management System (Patch Manager).
• Input and validate cable and equipment data into the Cable Management System.
• Provide Cable Management System training to staff and customers.
• Develop SOPs and workflows for cable management.
• Ensure safety standards and conduct QA on data.

Skills

Telecom design/engineering

Data management

Cable Management Systems

Troubleshooting

Technical communication

Independent work

Education

BS Degree in Telecommunications or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Patch Manager Cable Management Software

OTDRs & copper testers

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking a Telecom Cable Plant Engineer to join our Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) team in support of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). The planning and implementation of science support requirements in Antarctica is a critical part of our mission, and every team member plays a crucial role. This role is responsible for designing and documenting all cable plant, including ISP, OSP, and attached equipment within the USAP enterprise. The individual in this position will design and engineer cable plant upgrades throughout the USAP enterprise and manage the USAP's Cable Management System: Patch Manager to ensure accurate and consistent data entry of all cable plant and connected assets.

The Telecom Cable Plant Engineer works closely with other members of the USAP's telecommunications team to design, engineer, deploy, and maintain improvements to and expansion of the USAP's existing Outside Plant (OSP) and Inside Plant (ISP) to achieve meet customer requirements and provide outstanding performance. The successful candidate shall coordinate and manage the gathering of all data to be included in the Cable Management System, ensure all data entered into the Cable Management System complies with USAP enterprise standards, and perform periodic quality assurance checks of the data; develop Standard Operating Procedures related to cable management, data validation, and quality assurance. Operational locations include but are not limited to McMurdo, Amundsen-Scott South Pole, and Palmer stations, and logistics hubs in California, New Zealand, and Chile.

Deployment to Antarctica is required for this position, currently approximately 12 to 16 weeks per year.

US Citizenship is required, and must obtain a Public Trust security clearance prior to start date.

About the Antarctic Support Contract

Leidos Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) is the prime contractor to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Leidos supports the NSF's Office of Polar Program's Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics and provides science and logistics support for approximately 150 science and technical events across three geographically remote research stations; McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, and South Pole Station and several deep field sites across Antarctica. Each station or field site supports world class research across multiple science disciplines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure that work areas meet all ASC and USAP safety standards.
• Responsible for maintaining a safe workplace program and ensuring safety is the highest priority in the workplace.
• Design, engineer, and implement telecom systems that meet enterprise requirements.
• Manage the USAP's Cable Management System:Patch Manager.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot issues with existing telecom systems.
• Survey all ISP and OSP cable for inclusion in Cable Management System.
• Input cable and equipment data into the USAP's enterprise Cable Management System.
• Coordinate the update of telecom infrastructure records received from projects and sustaining operations.
• Provide Cable Management System training to authorized staff and customers.
• Develop Cable Management System workflows.
• Develop, maintain, and update all Cable Management System Standard Operating Procedures and documentation.
• Stay up to date with advancements in telecom technology and recommend upgrades where necessary.
• Prepare technical documentation of telecom systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS Degree (Telecommunications Engineer, Electrical Engineering or related field) and 5+ years of experience in the telecommunications industry
• Experience to include 2+ years of telecom design/engineering and 1+ year of data management experience
• Cable Management database systems, telecom wiring standards, and installing telecom infrastructure is required
• Solid understanding of logical and systematic troubleshooting techniques
• Excellent command of computers and software used in modern telecommunications facilities
• Familiarity with the use of telecommunications test equipment, including OTDRs and copper cable testers
• Familiarity with electronics equipment cabling and standard installation wiring practices
• Ability to communicate technical concepts and convey technical information among a broad range of audiences
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical and written/verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Patch Manager Cable Management Software
• Experience with data validation techniques

*Please be advised that during the interview, you will be required to keep your camera on, and your interviewer will be taking your picture for identification purposes if an offer letter is extended to you.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting: September 25, 2026

Pay Range

Pay Range: $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers.

• Competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave
• Retirement

More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.