Datacenter Fiber Specialist

Job Description

• The Datacenter Fiber Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the integrity, performance, and security of Microsoft's fiber optic network within datacenter operations.
• This role will focus on fiber delivery, troubleshooting, maintenance, and testing to support critical deployments, fiber-related break-fix operations, and network expansion.
• Working collaboratively with Microsoft engineering teams, third-party fiber providers, and internal deployment teams to maintain optimal fiber network operations.
• Fiber Management & Maintenance:
• Prevent fiber cuts, degradation, and outages by proactively monitoring and maintaining the fiber infrastructure.
• Perform regular fiber inspections, cleaning, and testing to ensure operational integrity.
• Educate and coach Microsoft full-time employees on fiber maintenance and best practices.
• Collaborate with suppliers, partners, technicians, and customers to coordinate fiber delivery and management.
• Oversee leased and Microsoft-owned fiber to ensure defect-free and on-time delivery of customer capacity.
• Plan and manage fiber logistics, infrastructure, and resources required for new data center expansions.
• Manage vendor/partner relationships, contracts, and service level agreements (SLAs) for fiber-related operations.
• Provide root cause analysis (RCA), lessons learned, and best practice recommendations to improve fiber operations.
• Fiber Deployment & Testing:
• Conduct end-to-end fiber testing to validate new installations and troubleshoot existing infrastructure.
• Perform optical loss testing, OTDR analysis, insertion loss measurements, reflectance tests, and return loss evaluations.
• Ensure all fiber test equipment is calibrated and certified within the past 12 months.
• Generate detailed reports of fiber test results in raw and PDF formats for Microsoft engineering teams.
• Conduct fiber splicing activities to support break-fix operations and deployment needs (bulk splicing excluded).
• Serve as a remote hands expert for Microsoft engineering teams and third-party fiber providers.
• Data Center Hygiene & Compliance:
• Inspect fiber paths, patch panels, racks, and ports for proper cleanliness and organization.
• Perform remediation tasks such as cable management, labeling updates, and quality assurance measures.
• Trace optical jumpers along circuit pathways to verify quality and eliminate congestion or potential damage.
• Ensure adherence to industry safety codes, regulations, and best practices for fiber optic installations.
• Change Management & Troubleshooting:
• Support fiber-related change management activities, including testing and validation of network modifications.
• Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for fiber-related changes within carrier hotels, meet-me rooms, and leased facilities.
• Troubleshoot and restore fiber outages, working closely with Microsoft remote engineering teams.
• Implement disaster recovery procedures for fiber-related incidents in enterprise environments.
  
  

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 3 years of experience supporting fiber optic networks or large-scale deployments.
• Ability to pass Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire and every two years thereafter.
• Strong knowledge of fiber optics, dark and lit fiber networks, OTDR testing, and fiber maintenance.
• Experience in fiber optic splicing, testing, and documentation in field service environments.
• Understanding of data center infrastructure, including servers, networking, and rack enclosures.
• Proficiency with fiber testing tools, such as fusion splicers, OTDRs, power meters, and fiber identifiers.
• Ability to read and interpret fiber optic maps, schematics, and test results.
• Willingness to travel and respond to fiber-related issues as needed.
• Fluent on operating test equipment, whether that's an OTDR power meter.
• Prefer date center background with splicing
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Business Management, or related experience.
• 5-7 years of experience in mission-critical fiber operations within large-scale environments.
• 5-7 years of experience working with dark and lit fiber providers.
• 5-7 years of experience in aerial and underground fiber delivery.
• 5 years of experience in outside plant (OSP) and inside plant (ISP) fiber installation, management, and maintenance.
• Expertise in fiber splicing, troubleshooting, and documentation.
• Background in fiber network design, construction, and best practices.
• Knowledge of fiber supply chain, asset management, and logistics.
• IT service operations experience with ITIL, MOF, SLA/OLA frameworks.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Cloud Services and Platforms (Azure, Office 365, etc.).
  
  

Benefits

Healthcare Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents healthcare coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.

Dental Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents a dental plan through MetLife. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.

Vision Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees vision insurance through VSP. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.401(k) Plan: The Synectics Inc. Investment Savings Retirement Plan. Synectics offers all employees who are 21 years of age or older the opportunity to invest in the 401(k) Plan on the first enrollment date that is at least 30 days after employment begins. Enrollment dates are each January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.

Technical Certification Bonus: Synectics is pleased to award its employees a bonus of up to $500 for an approved professional certification. In determining the bonus amount, Synectics will consider the cost of the test(s) for any certification relating to your current position, achieved during your employment with us. Only one Certification Bonus per calendar year may be awarded per employee. Only current, active employees will be eligible to receive this bonus. It will be awarded 90 days after the Synectics office has received documentation confirming the successful completion of the certification.

Synectics is an equal opportunity employer.