Senior Technician, Field Services

SES Space & Defense•Fairbanks, AK

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Technician, Field Services supports SES Space & Defense’s Alaska and Southern California regional networks. The role provides in-depth Level 2/Tier 2 and Level 3/Tier 3 technical support across complex end-to-end networks that include satellite teleports, commercial gateways, data centers, terrestrial fiber circuits, and microwave radio systems. The technician monitors networks, identifies anomalies, installs and maintains equipment, and resolves service issues, escalating problems as needed until service is restored. The position includes satellite-terminal activation and alignment; installation and maintenance of licensed microwave backhaul and remote-site power infrastructure; preventive maintenance at remote sites and facilities; network planning and infrastructure assessment; troubleshooting using specialized RF, optical, and electrical diagnostic equipment; and management of tickets, operational workflows, and customer procedures. The technician also responds to emergency outages, supports users after hours, and may work independently in harsh, isolated Arctic environments. Extensive travel by small aircraft, snow machine, boat, or ATV, with overnight stays in remote locations, is required.

Requirements

High school diploma and at least two years of experience handling progressively complex network systems in wireless communications, network engineering, or related field work.
Basic understanding of RF, antennas, coaxial cable, waveguide, and line-of-sight communications.
Basic AC/DC electrical knowledge, including wiring, grounding, and electrical safety.
Willingness and physical capability to climb towers and ability to obtain climbing and rescue certifications.
Basic understanding of IP networking, routers, switches, and Ethernet.
Comfort using hand tools, power tools, and multimeters, and following strict technical procedures for equipment installations.
Willingness to travel extensively and work independently for extended periods in isolated, harsh Arctic environments.
Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to work independently or as part of a team with end users.

Nice To Haves

Experience installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting AC/DC power distribution, rectifiers, automatic transfer switches, backup battery banks, and hybrid power systems.
Hands-on experience maintaining remote diesel generators, performing load calculations, and diagnosing fuel systems.
Experience managing outdoor equipment cabinets, remote shelters, and environmental controls or HVAC systems.
Direct experience installing, aligning, and troubleshooting point-to-point microwave backhaul links, link budgets, fade margins, or interference.
Experience managing and supporting iDirect remote terminals, TCP/IP traffic, and SATCOM/RF systems.
Active tower-climber certification and rescue training, with extensive field experience installing elevated antennas.
Advanced troubleshooting proficiency with spectrum analyzers, RF power meters, cable testers, electrical diagnostic equipment, and OTDRs.
Strong understanding of IP routing, switching, VLANs, and end-to-end backhaul connectivity using Juniper or Cisco network interface technologies and platforms.
Familiarity with network monitoring, spectrum tools, and ticketing systems such as SolarWinds, ScienceLogic SL1, ServiceNow, SatMonics, or Whats Up Gold.

Responsibilities

Activate remote satellite terminals and access satellites by performing peak and polarization alignment for LEO, MEO, and GEO systems.
Install, operate, align, and maintain licensed point-to-point microwave backhaul systems, including radios and antennas; assess link budgets and fade margins and resolve interference.
Install, commission, and troubleshoot remote-site power infrastructure, including AC/DC distribution, rectifiers, battery banks, diesel generators, automatic transfer switches, and hybrid power systems.
Conduct preventive maintenance across Alaska and Southern California networks at remote sites, data centers, teleports, and shelters, coordinating with local exchange carriers.
Plan regional communications networks and assess site infrastructure, including grounding, environmental, and RF systems.
Obtain competent climber and rescue climber certifications for microwave tower work, antenna rigging, and safe work at heights.
Communicate planned maintenance by terrestrial vendors and commercial teleports, report status, and monitor usage to support the security of customer data.
Analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve product issues related to installation, software and hardware upgrades, configuration changes, equipment integration, or testing using diagnostic tools.
Close trouble tickets and manage operational workflows through tracking systems.
Develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for customers and end users.
Respond to emergency network outages in accordance with business continuity, service-level, and disaster recovery plans.
Handle after-hours IT calls, reset passwords for authorized users, and help resolve customer distance-learning and telemedicine issues.
Work independently in harsh Arctic conditions and remote regions, including from home or hotel environments during emergencies, to support rural communities.
Travel extensively, including by small aircraft, snow machine, boat, or ATV, and stay overnight in remote locations such as mountain tops and small villages.
Escalate support outside normal operating hours, including weekends when necessary to restore service during emergencies.