Role Summary
We are looking for a skilled and reliable LAN & Data Center Support Engineer to provide onsite technical support for network and data center infrastructure. The role is responsible for physical layer support, cabling, patching, rack-level activities, coordination with L1/L2/L3 engineers, and hands-on support for LAN and data center operations.
The candidate should have strong knowledge of network cabling, patch panels, racks, physical connectivity, hardware installation, link tracing, and basic troubleshooting. The resource must be able to work independently at data center sites and provide accurate smart-hands support to remote network and systems teams during implementations, maintenance windows, and incident resolution.
Key Responsibilities
1. Data Center Physical Support
- Provide onsite support for data center activities, including rack-level troubleshooting and physical inspection.
- Assist in installation, mounting, labeling, and basic hardware handling of routers, switches, firewalls, servers, storage devices, and related infrastructure.
- Perform physical checks of network devices, power connections, console access, cable status, port status, and device indicators.
- Coordinate with data center facility teams for access, escorting, smart-hands support, and equipment movement.
- Support planned maintenance activities, hardware replacement, and physical link migrations.
2. LAN and Network Cabling Support
- Perform structured cabling tasks, including laying, routing, dressing, harnessing, tagging, and organizing cables.
- Handle copper and fiber patching between switches, patch panels, routers, firewalls, servers, and cross-connects.
- Trace physical network links and verify end-to-end connectivity.
- Maintain proper cable management standards within racks, cabinets, patch panels, and data center rooms.
- Identify and report faulty cables, damaged ports, loose connections, or improper patching.
3. Patch Management and Link Routing
- Maintain and update patching records, port mappings, rack diagrams, and cable documentation.
- Execute physical patching and de-patching as per approved change requests or instructions from network teams.
- Route physical links based on requirements shared by L2/L3 network engineers.
- Validate connectivity after patching using basic tools and visual checks.
- Ensure all patching activities are properly labeled and documented.
4. Support to L2/L3 Engineers
- Provide initial-level physical access and onsite assistance to L2/L3 network, systems, security, and infrastructure engineers.
- Connect console cables, laptops, out-of-band devices, or remote-access tools as required.
- Assist engineers during device configuration, troubleshooting, migration, and upgrade activities.
- Share accurate onsite observations, photos, port details, LED status, cable labels, and rack information.
- Follow technical instructions from senior engineers during incident handling and planned changes.
5. Incident and Troubleshooting Support
- Provide first-level physical troubleshooting for LAN and data center connectivity issues.
- Check device power status, cable status, port connectivity, transceiver/SFP status, patch panel connections, and physical link paths.
- Support troubleshooting of link-down, intermittent connectivity, cable fault, fiber issue, and port mismatch scenarios.
- Escalate technical issues to L2/L3 teams with clear observations and evidence.
- Maintain incident updates in ticketing systems where applicable.
6. Inventory and Documentation
- Maintain inventory of network equipment, cables, SFPs, patch cords, console cables, tools, and spare parts.
- Update rack layouts, cable maps, port assignments, and data center documentation.
- Ensure asset tagging and labeling standards are followed.
- Track equipment movement, replacement, and deployment records.
- Prepare basic reports for completed activities, site visits, and physical changes.
7. Operational Discipline and Compliance
- Follow data center access, security, safety, and operational procedures.
- Ensure all activities are performed under approved change management processes.
- Maintain cleanliness and proper cable dressing inside racks and network rooms.
- Follow ESD, power, fiber handling, and hardware safety guidelines.
- Be available for onsite support during critical incidents, planned maintenance windows, or emergency visits.
Minimum Qualifications
- Diploma, bachelor degree, or technical certification in IT, Computer Science, Networking, Telecommunications, or a related field.
- 2 to 5 years of hands-on experience in LAN support, data center support, network operations, or field technical support.
- Experience working in enterprise offices, data centers, telecom rooms, or network operation environments.
Preferred Certifications
- Cisco CCNA or CCST Networking or CompTIA Network+.
- Fiber optic / Structured cabling certification.
- Data center operations training.
- ITIL Foundation.
Required Skills and Experience
Technical Skills
- Good understanding of LAN infrastructure, switches, routers, patch panels, racks, and structured cabling.
- Hands-on experience with copper and fiber cabling.
- Knowledge of UTP, STP, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A, fiber patch cords, LC/SC connectors, SFPs, and transceivers.
- Ability to trace, label, dress, and route physical network cables.
- Basic understanding of VLANs, IP addressing, switch ports, uplinks, trunk/access ports, and network connectivity.
- Experience using basic network and cabling tools such as LAN tester, fiber visual fault locator, labeling machine, console cable, crimping tool, punch-down tool, and laptop-based connectivity testing.
- Ability to provide smart-hands support to remote engineers.
- Familiarity with data center environments, racks, PDUs, patch panels, cable trays, and cross-connects.
Documentation Skills
- Ability to maintain cable records, patching sheets, inventory lists, and rack diagrams.
- Good attention to detail for labeling, port mapping, and change documentation.
- Basic reporting skills for site visit summaries and activity closure.
Soft Skills
- Strong communication skills for coordination with remote engineers and onsite teams.
- Ability to follow instructions accurately.
- Reliable, disciplined, and able to work in controlled data center environments.
- Good problem-solving approach for physical layer issues.
- Willingness to work during maintenance windows, after-hours activities, or emergency support when required.
Pay: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
