OTDR/Fiber Optics Specialist (ONSITE)(2 Openings)

Please note that this is a 1-year long term contract position.

Location will be at North and South split for the IAD area.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 5-10 years of hands-on fiber testing and splicing experience (fiber-specific, not CAT5 or copper).
• Technical proficiency in operating fiber testing equipment (OTDR, power meters) and reading test results.
• Strong knowledge of fiber optics, including dark and lit fiber networks, and maintenance in data center environments.
• 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.
• Must be based in a designated metro area and available for on-site visits when issues arise.
• Ability to pass a Microsoft Cloud Background Check and drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in mission-critical fiber operations in large-scale environments.
• Experience with fiber network design, construction, and best practices.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Cloud Services and platforms (e.g., Azure, Office 365).
• Experience in outside plant (OSP), inside plant (ISP), and fiber delivery (aerial and underground).

Work Environment:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week, on-site in the designated area.
• Occasional remote tasks may be available.
• No long-distance travel is required.

Job Overview: The Fiber Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the integrity and performance of fiber-related systems in data center environments. This includes fiber splicing, OTDR testing, troubleshooting, and proactive maintenance to prevent delays and reduce travel to remote locations. The role requires candidates to be based in designated metro areas and available for on-site work. The Fiber Specialist will work with both Microsoft and third-party vendors to resolve issues efficiently and maintain optimal fiber network performance.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Fiber Management & Maintenance
• Resolve fiber-related issues on-site, including splicing, OTDR testing, and troubleshooting.
• Perform regular fiber inspections, cleaning, and testing to ensure operational integrity.
• Educate and coach Microsoft employees on fiber maintenance and best practices.
• Oversee leased and Microsoft-owned fiber to ensure defect-free and on-time delivery.
• Collaborate with suppliers, partners, and customers to coordinate fiber delivery and management.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Provide root cause analysis (RCA), lessons learned, and best practice recommendations.
2. 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.
• Conduct fiber splicing activities for break-fix operations and deployment needs (excluding bulk splicing).
• Ensure fiber testing equipment is calibrated and certified within the past 12 months.
• Generate detailed reports of fiber test results for engineering teams.
• Serve as a remote hands expert for Microsoft engineering teams and third-party fiber providers.
3. Data Center Hygiene & Compliance
• Inspect fiber paths, patch panels, racks, and ports for cleanliness and organization.
• Perform remediation tasks like cable management, labeling updates, and quality assurance measures.
• Ensure adherence to industry safety codes, regulations, and best practices for fiber optic installations.
• Trace optical jumpers along circuit pathways to verify quality and eliminate potential damage.
4. Change Management & Troubleshooting
• Support fiber-related change management activities, including testing and validation of network modifications.
• Troubleshoot and restore fiber outages, working with Microsoft remote engineering teams.
• Implement disaster recovery procedures for fiber-related incidents in enterprise environments.
• Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for fiber-related changes within carrier hotels and meet-me rooms.

Applicants must provide their phone number. Reference job number A4696.