Fiber Optical Repair Technician

EOS•Portland, OR

2d•$25 - $33

About The Position

Role Overview: The Fiber Optical Repair Technician is responsible for the repair, restoration, and maintenance of fiber optic infrastructure, including splicing, testing, and troubleshooting of both single-mode and ribbon fiber cables. This role ensures the rapid restoration of network services and supports ongoing operational excellence in high-availability environments. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional technical competency, situational awareness in live network environments, and the ability to lead or coordinate complex restoration efforts under pressure.

Requirements

5+ years’ experience in fiber optic repair, splicing, testing, and restoration — including live-network work.
Proficient in using advanced test and repair equipment: OTDR, OLTS, power meter, fusion splicer, fiber identifier, and inspection scopes.
Strong ability to interpret OTDR traces, event tables, and loss readings for accurate fault localization.
Deep knowledge of fiber types, connector standards (LC, SC, MPO, MTP), and splice protection methods.
Experience with both single-mode (OS1/OS2) and multi-mode (OM3/OM4/OM5) fibers.
Familiarity with high-count and ribbon fiber systems (864+, 1728+, etc.) and mass fusion techniques.
Skilled at working in both OSP (outside plant) and ISP (inside plant) conditions.
Awareness of data center physical infrastructure, structured cabling systems, and routing standards.
Understanding of Layer 1 principles, optical signal flow, and basic network architecture for troubleshooting.
Experience restoring and maintaining backbone, metro, or enterprise optical networks.
Ability to perform detailed fault isolation under time pressure.
Experience conducting root cause analysis and contributing to failure analysis reports.
Capable of identifying environmental and mechanical stress factors affecting fiber reliability.
Comprehensive understanding of laser safety, confined space procedures, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and PPE usage.
Proven commitment to safety-first practices, maintaining a zero-incident mindset.
Demonstrated attention to workmanship quality, cleanliness, and handling of fiber materials.
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills under pressure.
Clear and professional communication skills for incident coordination and client interaction.
Collaborative mindset with the ability to lead or integrate into multidisciplinary field teams.
Strong organizational skills, capable of documenting all activities accurately and consistently.
Self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of working independently in challenging environments.
Proficiency with digital reporting systems and fiber management databases.
Comfortable using network mapping, GIS, or ticketing platforms for incident tracking.
Competent with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and documentation software.

Nice To Haves

Industry certifications such as FOA CFOT, CFOS/T, BICSI Technician, or equivalent.
OEM training (e.g., Corning, AFL, or Sumitomo fusion splicer certification).
Experience in data center, metro network, or hyperscale infrastructure environments.
Prior experience in project leadership, team supervision, or field coordination roles.
Valid driver’s license and flexibility to travel or work in variable field conditions.

Responsibilities

Fiber Repair & Restoration Perform fault isolation and repairs on fiber optic cables and connectors, from initial fault detection through to full service restoration.
Conduct both emergency restorations and planned maintenance activities with strict adherence to SLAs.
Conduct single and ribbon fiber splicing within Meet-Me Vaults (MMVs), splice cases, and central Optical Distribution Frames (ODFs).
Perform full cable preparation: jacket stripping, buffer tube access, fiber cleaning, cleaving, splicing, and protection.
Use precision tools (fusion splicer, VFL, fiber identifiers) and ensure high-quality workmanship throughout.
Adhere to live traffic handling procedures and ensure minimal service disruption during repairs.
Testing & Troubleshooting Operate advanced fiber testing instruments (OTDR, OLTS, power meters, microscopes, and inspection scopes).
Conduct post-repair verification, including loss testing, reflectance analysis, and trace review.
Accurately interpret OTDR traces and locate break points, microbands, or connector faults.
Perform in-depth root cause analysis on recurring or systemic network issues.
Implement corrective and preventive measures to improve reliability and reduce fault recurrence.
Documentation & Compliance Maintain accurate records of repair activities, test results, and maintenance logs.
Comply with relevant industry standards (ITU-T, FOA, BICSI, TIA/EIA, NEC) and local safety regulations.
Support audits and quality assurance processes as required.
Collaboration & Leadership Work closely with field operations, network engineers, and project managers to coordinate repair activities.
Provide guidance, mentorship, and on-the-job training to junior team members.
Participate in on-call rotations and respond to network outages within defined SLAs (e.g., 4-hour response for emergencies).
Communicate clearly with internal teams and clients during critical incidents, providing real-time updates and restoration progress reports.
Continuous Improvement Stay current with the latest fiber optic technologies, repair techniques, and industry best practices.
Participate in technical training, cross-functional workshops, and skill enhancement initiatives.
Contribute to the refinement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and restoration workflows.