Data Center Engineer III

Astreya•Chicago, IL

18h•$72,960 - $115,200

About The Position

The Data Center Engineer III verifies data center fiber deployments across multiple sites, from pre-installation site walks through final readiness sign-off. The role checks infrastructure and workmanship, performs or validates fiber testing, documents deficiencies, and confirms corrective work is complete. It owns accurate project documentation in client systems of record and ensures as-built records and inventory match field conditions at handover. The engineer leads field reviews, witnesses testing, coaches installation technicians, manages dispatch and reporting, and communicates risks and status. The role also improves service procedures, acceptance criteria, checklists, and training by identifying recurring failure patterns, while mentoring junior engineers. Reporting includes readiness updates, daily notes, verification reports, and yield and defect trends. The position requires substantial data center fiber experience, including high-density MPO and ribbon, and hands-on expertise with fiber inspection, splicing, and testing. Travel may be up to 100%, with off-hours work windows, walking large sites and OSP areas, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Salary range is $72,960 to $115,200 USD base pay. Astreya offers comprehensive benefits to regular, full-time employees; eligibility and applicable benefits are subject to the terms described in the posting.

Requirements

At least 6 years of experience in data center fiber deployment, verification, or operations, including high-density MPO and ribbon experience.
Expertise reading, creating, and correcting design packages, splice plans, port maps, elevations, and test specifications.
Hands-on experience with fusion splicing, end-face inspection, OTDR, insertion and return loss, and polarity testing.
Working knowledge of TIA 568, TIA 942, IEC 61300-3-35, and procedure-driven work.
Proficiency with fiber management and DCIM-style systems of record, beyond redlines.
Ability to own programs, manage competing priorities across sites, meet reporting SLAs, and proactively communicate risks and status.
Ability to work independently and hold vendors accountable.
Ability to travel up to 100%, work off-hours windows, walk large sites and OSP areas, and lift 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience with hyperscale or large colocation builds.
Experience with migration work such as loopbacks, revalidation, cutover, and handover.
CAD or Visio skills.
Light Brigade or equivalent experience.
BICSI certification and OSHA 10 or 30 certification.
Prior verification, commissioning, or field QA experience.
Prior service or program-building experience.
Ability to thrive in new programs with evolving processes.

Responsibilities

Inspect sites before installation to verify pathways, tray, racks, frames, labeling, power, and access.
Inspect workmanship during installation and audit completed work using frame- and port-level checks, end-face inspection, OTDR, loss, and polarity validation.
Create punch lists, verify fixes, and sign off on readiness.
Create and update splice plans, fiber and port maps, rack elevations, and one-line diagrams in client systems of record.
Standardize naming and labeling across sites and confirm as-built documentation and inventory match field conditions at handover.
Run prework reviews, witness testing, escalate issues the same day, coach installation technicians, and manage dispatch queues and reporting across multiple sites.
Refine checklists, templates, and acceptance criteria; identify recurring failure patterns and contribute to training and process improvements.
Mentor junior engineers.
Provide readiness reports and daily notes, deliver verification reports within two business days, and report yield and defect trends.
Work independently, manage competing priorities across sites, communicate risks and status, and travel as required.

Benefits

Medical insurance through UHC (PPO, HSA, and Surest options) or Kaiser HMO for California employees.
Dental insurance through UHC.
Vision insurance through Nationwide Vision by UHC.
Flexible Spending Account for health and dependent care.
Pre-tax commuter benefit for parking and transit, depending on location.
Continuing education and professional development through platforms such as Udemy and Coursera.
Corporate wellness program.
Employee Assistance Program.
Wellness Days.
401(k) plan.
Basic and supplemental life insurance.
Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Critical illness, critical hospital, and voluntary accident insurance.
Tuition reimbursement, available six months after start date and capped.
Paid Time Off, accrued and prorated, up to 120 hours annually.
Paid holidays.
Other statutory leaves, paid time, or ancillary benefits required under state and federal law.