Data Center QA/QC Manager

Hourly Rate: $45-50/hr (firm, dependent on experience)
Location: Abilene, TX (must be local or willing to travel to Abilene for 2 weeks at a time)

Smartlink is dedicated to empowering those who are competitive and aim for the win. The company’s core values— Creating Customer Fanatics, Innovate and Create, One Team, We Are All In, and Safety Leads to Success—serves as a guide to our teams and sets the expectations for every member.
These values are the cornerstone that brings us together, consistently reminding us of our mission and guiding all our efforts. We are unabashedly competitive and driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence. Every project, every challenge, and every opportunity is met with discipline, focus, and an uncompromising commitment to succeed.
Our path to excellence begins with it, commitment, and our team’s goal of achieving customer fanatics. At Smartlink, you are empowered to make the right decisions, do your job well and bring something to the table no matter your position. This involves autonomy, responsibility, contribution, support, and growth.
This approach ensures that every team member feels valued and motivated to contribute their best, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

We look forward to having you join our TEAM if this opportunity is a great fit for you!
 

About the Role
We’re looking for a Data Center QA/QC Manager to lead quality assurance and quality control programs for fiber-optic infrastructure inside hyperscale and enterprise data centers. You’ll oversee QA/QC technicians, validate installation and testing quality, approve documentation, and ensure all work meets project requirements, TIA/EIA standards, and client expectations. This role is critical during commissioning, turnover, and continuous improvement initiatives.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and enforce QA/QC plans, inspection procedures, and documentation standards.
• Lead and mentor QA/QC Technicians and field inspectors across multiple sites.
• Review design drawings, specifications, and submittals for quality and constructability.
• Coordinate with engineering, project management, and construction teams to prevent quality issues.
• Conduct audits, identify non-conformances, and manage corrective/preventive actions.
• Oversee inspections of fiber routing, splicing, labeling, and termination processes.
• Validate Tier 1 & Tier 2 test results (OLTS, OTDR) and verify project loss budgets.
• Review and approve test reports, trace files, and close-out documentation.
• Oversee installation quality of racks, cabinets, patch panels, and cable management hardware.
• Manage QA documentation: inspection reports, punch lists, as-builts, and test-result tracking.
• Deliver weekly/monthly quality metrics to program leadership.
• Promote safety, compliance, and adherence to site protocols.

What You Bring

• 7+ years of QA/QC or fiber-optic installation/testing experience in mission-critical environments.
• Leadership experience managing QA/QC staff or inspection teams.
• Strong knowledge of TIA-568/942, structured cabling standards, and fiber-testing methodologies.
• Proficiency with OLTS, OTDR, scopes, and test-reporting platforms.
• Strong understanding of rack layouts, fiber routing, and high-fiber-count systems.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office and QA/QC data-tracking tools.
• Strong problem-solving and client-communication abilities.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass required background checks.

Preferred

• Certifications such as FOA CFOT, CFOS/T, BICSI DCDC, or RCDD.
• Experience commissioning fiber systems in large-scale data centers.
• Familiarity with client turnover requirements and digital QA/test platforms.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and carry up to 50 lbs as needed.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and ladder climbing.
• Work in tight spaces and active data-hall environments.
• Use fiber test equipment (OTDR, OLTS, scopes) regularly.
• Mix of field work, admin tasks, and travel; occasional evening/weekend work.

We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer.