Network Cabling Design Engineer

Sedna Inc; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Sedna Inc in Century City, South Africa, is seeking a network cabling design engineer to produce CAD drawings and design documentation for a high-density facility. The role is based in Century City, focused on structured data cabling and network infrastructure design.

You will lead fibre and copper layouts, specify terminations, and generate schedules in line with industry standards. The position emphasizes remote collaboration with the project team and design reviews.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in a network/structured data cabling design role.
• Strong working knowledge of network architecture and topology (core/distribution/access).
• Experience with AutoCAD or similar CAD tools.
• Familiarity with TIA-568, TIA-526 standards is beneficial.
• Certifications such as Cisco CCNP are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead structured data cabling and network infrastructure design (core focus).
• Translate logical topology into physical cabling layouts and routing.
• Coordinate with IT teams for switch-to-rack mappings and redundancy paths.
• Design fibre and copper networks for high-density racks and frames.
• Produce fibreplant layouts, including routes, splice locations, and bend radii.
• Create patch panels, rack elevations, and cable schedules with clear labeling.
• Oversee drawing production in AutoCAD and manage revisions throughout the project.
• Collaborate remotely with US-based teams and attend design reviews.

Skills

Structured cabling design

Network topology

High-density rack design

Remote collaboration

Education

BSc/BTech/BEng or NQF6 in IT / Electrical / Telecommunications / CS

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM

Job description

At Sedna,we’rebuilding the future with robotics.Our workis integrating robotics and automation into industries like construction and mining.Ifyou’repassionate aboutcutting-edgetechnology, solving complexproblems, and building systems that push the limits of what is possible inrobotics and automation, Sedna is where your skills can make a global impact.

We are a US based company with strong South African roots. Our business started in Joburg in 2005 and later moved to the USA. We are nowbuilding outour engineeringoffice’sin Cape Town (Century City) and Joburg (Greenstone Hill) to support our US operations and customers.

Job Overview

We are seeking a network cabling design engineer to produce all CAD drawings and design documentation for a US-based technical facility with high-density electrical and network infrastructure. The position is based inCentury City,South Africa.

The successful candidate will take the lead on structured data cabling and network infrastructure design — this is the core focus of the role. Familiarity with power distribution design is a valuable bonus but not a requirement.

Key Responsibilities:

Structured Data Cabling & Network Infrastructure Design (core focus of the role)

• Understand the logical network topology (core, distribution, and access layers) well enough to translate it correctly into physical cabling — knowing which equipment, ports, and links connect where, and why.
• Liaise with network/IT teams to confirm switch-to-rack mappings, uplink counts, and redundancy/failover paths beforefinalizingphysical routing and port assignments.
• Lead the design offibreand copper network infrastructure serving high-density equipment racks and distribution frames.
• Select appropriatefibretypes for each part of the network: backbone runs, high-speed links between racks and equipment.
• Design the completefibreplant layout — routes, ODF positions, splice enclosure locations, bend radius management, and slack storage allowances.
• Specify termination and connector types (LC, SC, MPO/MTP), andrecommend pre-terminated trunk systems vs field-terminated solutions based on density and flexibility requirements.
• Producefibreschedules showing core counts, link lengths,lossbudget calculations, and test acceptance criteria to TIA-526-14 (multimode) and TIA-526-7 (single-mode).
• Design copper cable runs to appropriate TIA-568category specifications based on application, distance, and performance requirements across the site.
• Produce patch panel and rack elevation drawings showing port assignments, cable labelling conventions, and patch lead management, ensuring each connection reflects its correct place in the overall network design.
• Define demarcation points between copper horizontal runs andfibrebackbone, coordinating the two media types into a coherent, scalable topology.

Drawing Production & Documentation

• All design output produced in AutoCAD drawing packages — routing plans, containment layouts, rack elevations, cable schedules, and as-built records.
• Manage drawing layers, naming conventions, and title blocks to a consistent standard suitable for multi-disciplineproject environments.
• Produce cable schedules cross-referenced to drawing references: cable ID, type, origin, destination, length, and route.
• Issue drawings atappropriate stages(preliminary, for-construction, as-built) and manage revision control throughout the project.
• Work from and overlay onto architect and M&E base drawings without disrupting existing drawing structure.

Design Coordination

• Work remotely with the project team, providing drawing packages and responding to design queries from on-site contractors.
• Attend design review meetings (remote or on-site asrequired) and incorporate feedback into revised drawing issues.
• Flag design clashes or space constraints early and propose solutions — particularly in compactrackand under-floor areas.
• Liaise with the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) submission process where design drawings arerequiredfor permit applications.

Power Cabling Design (beneficial, not essential)

• Exposure to HV/LV power distribution design—e.g.routing drawings for power distribution to racks, PDUs, and UPS systems.
• Familiarity with sizing and scheduling cables for 277/480V three-phase US distribution.
• Any prior awareness of NEC NFPA 70 compliance (Articles 645, 230, 250, 310).
• Establish and adhere to industry-standard best practices and design principles for the routing, separation, support, protection and installation of electrical power and network communication cabling.
• Ensure safety, reliability,maintainabilityand compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Candidates without power design experience are still strongly encouraged to apply if their network/data cabling design background is strong.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in a network / structured data cabling design role, ideally with exposure to high-density rack environments.
• Solid understanding of network architecture and topology (core/distribution/access layers, redundancy paths, uplink structures) — this candidate needs to know what connects where and why, not just how to draw or install it.
• BSc,BTech,BEngorNQF6specializingin Information Technology, Electrical Engineering,Telecommunications, Computer, Computer Science,Electronicsora related field.
• If you have more than 5 five years’relevantexperience, tertiary education is not crucial.
• Pleasesupplyproof of professional certifications to prove qualification (e.g.Cisco Certified Network Professional Certification).
• Strong working knowledge of structured cabling standards (TIA-568, TIA-526) andfibrenetwork design — this is essential.
• Experience with HV/LV power cabling design or pipe layout/routingbeneficial, butis not essential.
• Experience using AutoCAD or similar tool.
• Problem solving and critical thinking
• Time management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Proactive and collaborative approach to teamwork

Additional Beneficial Skills & Certifications (advantageous)

• BICSI RCDD (Registered Communications Distribution Designer), oractively working towards it.
• BICSI Installer/Technician certification (INST1, INST2, or TECH)
• Autodesk Certified Professional (AutoCAD).
• Working knowledge of Revit or BIM-based coordinated drawing workflows.
• Exposure to cable management or infrastructure management software (e.g.Ekahau,iTracs, Device42, or similar).
• Familiarity with ANSI/TIA-942 or ISO/IEC 11801 as broader reference standards.
• Experience independently producinglossbudget calculations and test acceptance documentation, rather than working from a template.
• Prior experience collaborating remotely with US-based teams or clients.

• Confirmation that you are South African or a permanent resident in South Africa
• Willing torelocatetoCapeTownat your own costif applicable