Location: Remote, United States | Type: Remote | Country: USNational Technologies (NTI), a Network Connex Company, is a premier turnkey installer of fiber optic and data center infrastructure. Working on our team puts you on the leading edge of innovation in the digital communications space. If being a part of a tight-knit organization that operates in some of the most advanced technology environments around the world sounds like a dream job, NTI might be the right fit for you! With the perks of a large organization, NTI remains true to its roots as a home-grown company with an open-door culture that welcomes new ideas and encourages professional growth. We set you on the right path with careful onboarding and thorough training programs that prepare you for success in your role and beyond.Position Summary The Engineering Manager – Testing & Validations provides senior technical leadership and oversight for fiber optic testing, validation, quality assurance, troubleshooting, certification, and customer acceptance activities across National Fiber Team projects. This position serves as a senior technical authority within the National Fiber Team and is responsible for establishing consistent testing methodologies, resolving complex technical issues, developing Field Engineers and validation personnel, and ensuring project deliverables meet customer specifications, manufacturer requirements, applicable industry standards, and NTI quality expectations. The Engineering Manager supports multiple projects and field teams as required, providing technical governance and ensuring testing and validation programs are executed consistently across the organization.Primary Responsibilities1. Senior Technical Leadership Provide senior technical leadership for NFT testing, validation, and fiber quality activities. Responsibilities include: Provide technical direction to Field Engineers and Validation TeamsMentor and develop Field Engineers and Associate Field EngineersEstablish standardized testing methodologies and technical expectationsReview complex testing and validation issuesServe as an escalation point for technical deficienciesSupport technical training and competency developmentProvide technical interpretation of project requirements and standardsEnsure consistency of testing practices across NFT projectsServe as a senior subject matter expert for fiber optic testing, validation, troubleshooting, and acceptance.2. Testing & Validation Governance Provide oversight of project testing and certification programs. Responsibilities include: Optical Loss Testing (OLTS)Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) testingEnd-face inspectionContinuity verificationPolarity verificationFiber identificationOptical power testingAcceptance testingTest result analysis and certificationReview project testing requirements and ensure methodologies comply with the applicable scope of work, customer requirements, manufacturer specifications, and industry standards.3. Quality Assurance & Technical Compliance Establish and maintain technical quality expectations across assigned projects. Responsibilities include: Review installation and testing qualityEvaluate recurring deficiencies and quality trendsEstablish corrective-action expectationsVerify significant or systemic deficiencies are properly resolvedSupport development of QA/QC proceduresReduce rework and customer punch itemsImprove first-pass acceptanceIdentify systemic quality risks across projectsRecommend changes to installation or testing processesProvide senior-level governance and an escalation path supporting Field Engineer authority to reject nonconforming installations and require corrective action before acceptance.4. Complex Technical Troubleshooting Lead or support resolution of complex fiber infrastructure issues. Responsibilities include: High or inconsistent optical lossOTDR anomaliesReflectance issuesMacrobends and microbendsDamaged fiberConnector contamination or damageSplice defectsPolarity discrepanciesFiber routing discrepanciesDocumentation conflictsTesting equipment or configuration issuesSystemic installation deficienciesPerform or oversee root-cause analysis and develop corrective-action recommendations for significant technical issues.5. Field Engineer Development Develop the technical capability of the NFT Field Engineering organization. Responsibilities include: Mentor Field Engineers and Associate Field EngineersEvaluate technical competencyIdentify training requirementsConduct technical reviewsSupport qualification and advancement criteriaDevelop troubleshooting capabilityPromote standards-based decision makingDevelop future technical leadersShare lessons learned across projects6. Documentation & Acceptance Oversight Establish expectations for technical documentation and customer turnover packages. Responsibilities include: OTDR tracesOLTS reportsEnd-face inspection recordsFiber routing documentationTest result validationDeficiency reportsAcceptance packagesCustomer deliverablesCloseout documentationEnsure technical documentation is accurate, traceable, consistent, and audit-ready.7. Customer & Project Technical Support Represent NFT during high-level technical discussions. Responsibilities include: Customer acceptance criteriaTesting methodologiesTechnical deficienciesDesign interpretationQuality concernsAcceptance disputesCorrective actionsTesting demonstrationsProject turnoverTechnical RFIsProvide technically defensible recommendations supported by applicable standards, project requirements, manufacturer guidance, and documented test results.8. Multi-Project Technical Oversight Provide technical oversight and support across multiple NFT projects as assigned. Responsibilities include: Review project testing readinessAssess Field Engineering resource requirementsIdentify technical risksSupport mobilization and project startupReview testing strategiesAssist projects experiencing quality or acceptance issuesEvaluate project performance trendsProvide technical support during critical project milestonesCoordinate resources with Operations and Project Management9. Standards & Process Development Drive standardization and continuous improvement across the National Fiber Team. Responsibilities include: Develop standardized testing proceduresDevelop technical SOPs and work instructionsEstablish documentation standardsMaintain testing reference materialsEvaluate new testing technologiesImplement lessons learnedAnalyze quality and failure trendsRecommend process improvementsSupport development of technical training materials10. Testing Equipment & Technology Provide technical governance for NFT testing equipment and platforms. Responsibilities include: Establish testing equipment requirementsSupport equipment standardizationReview calibration complianceEvaluate new testing equipmentSupport equipment configuration standardsIdentify equipment capacity requirementsAssist with technical specifications for CAPEX purchasesCoordinate with Operations, Logistics, and Procurement regarding equipment needs11. Reporting & Executive Communication Provide technical reporting to NFT leadership. Responsibilities include: Project testing statusAcceptance readinessQuality trendsFirst-pass acceptance performanceSignificant technical deficienciesCorrective-action statusEquipment risksTesting capacityTechnical resource requirementsCustomer acceptance risksExecutive technical summariesLeadership Expectations The Engineering Manager is expected to: Serve as a senior technical authority for NFT fiber testing and validationLead through technical competence and professional credibilityDevelop Field Engineers into independent technical leadersPromote standards-based decision makingChallenge unsupported assumptions with objective technical evidenceMaintain accountability for technical qualityCommunicate effectively with Operations, Project Management, field leadership, and customersIdentify technical risks before they affect schedule, cost, or customer acceptancePromote collaboration between construction, splicing, testing, and project teamsDrive continuous improvement across the National Fiber TeamKey Performance Indicators (KPIs) Quality First-pass customer acceptanceRework percentagePunch-list reductionDocumentation accuracyRecurring deficiency reductionTechnical OTDR/OLTS complianceTroubleshooting resolution timeRoot-cause effectivenessTesting methodology complianceCalibration complianceOperational Project acceptance readinessSchedule supportTechnical risk mitigationField Engineering resource utilizationDocumentation turnaroundLeadership Field Engineer developmentTechnical training completionCompetency advancementStandardization initiativesProcess improvementsLessons learned implementationDecision-Making Authority The Engineering Manager is authorized to: Establish technical testing and validation requirements within approved project specificationsDirect Field Engineering technical prioritiesRequire corrective action for nonconforming workReject testing methodologies that do not meet applicable requirementsEscalate systemic quality or technical risksRequire retesting when technical validity is questionableRecommend suspension of acceptance activities when quality requirements are not satisfiedRecommend equipment replacement, repair, or standardizationRecommend technical staffing and training requirementsProvide technical recommendations regarding project acceptance readinessCore Competencies Technical Fiber optic testingAdvanced OTDR analysisOLTS certificationEnd-face inspectionFiber troubleshootingSplice-quality evaluationNetwork acceptance testingFiber documentationStandards interpretationRoot-cause analysisOperational Quality assuranceRisk managementConstruction sequencingSchedule coordinationDocumentation controlCustomer acceptanceResource planningEquipment managementProcess improvementLeadership Technical coachingMentoringCritical thinkingProblem solvingDecision makingExecutive communicationCustomer engagementConflict resolutionTeam leadershipCross-functional coordinationPreferred Qualifications BICSI RCDD preferredBICSI TECH or equivalent technical credentialCFOT, CFOS/T, or equivalent fiber optic certificationAdvanced experience with OTDR, OLTS, end-face inspection, optical power testing, and fiber troubleshootingStrong working knowledge of ANSI/TIA, BICSI, manufacturer, and customer-specific fiber testing requirementsExperience leading testing and validation activities on large-scale fiber infrastructure projectsExperience developing technical personnel and testing proceduresProficiency with fiber testing software and electronic documentation platformsDemonstrated ability to interpret technical requirements and communicate recommendations to customers and project leadershipThe duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned. The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants throughout the recruitment and employment process. Individuals who require accommodation to participate in the application process or perform the essential functions of the position should contact Human ResourcesWe may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
19 days ago