Reports To: Fiber Splicing Manager
Department: Technical Services
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Hourly Rate: $40-45/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!
Job Summary: The Fiber Splicing Technician III serves as a senior technical expert responsible for leading complex fiber optic splicing, testing, troubleshooting, and installation activities within high-density data center environments. This role applies expert-level technical knowledge and acts as a lead resource on projects, ensuring quality execution, efficiency, and compliance with all industry standards. This position provides advanced troubleshooting, oversees field operations, mentors lower-level technicians, and supports continuous improvement initiatives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Perform expert-level fiber optic splicing, including high-count ribbon, mass fusion, and specialty fiber applications.
• Lead complex fiber installations, terminations, and infrastructure builds in data center environments.
• Conduct advanced fiber testing and analysis using OTDR, power meters, OLTS, and related equipment; interpret and validate results.
• Diagnose and resolve complex network issues, including signal loss, latency, and continuity failures.
• Serve as lead technician on projects; coordinate tasks, workflow, and field execution for assigned teams.
• Oversee and ensure accuracy of splice documentation, test results, and project deliverables.
• Perform and enforce quality control inspections, ensuring all work meets or exceeds company and industry standards (TIA-568, IEC, Telcordia).
• Provide technical training, mentorship, and performance guidance to Technicians I and II.
• Support project planning activities, including material identification, scope validation, and risk assessment.
• Interface with project managers, engineers, and customers to resolve technical challenges and ensure project success.
• Troubleshoot, calibrate, and maintain advanced splicing and testing equipment (Fujikura, Sumitomo, EXFO, etc.).
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, efficiency gains, and best practices implementation.
• Uphold professional conduct and ensure adherence to company policies, safety standards, and operational procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Requirements: To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; advanced technical or industry certifications strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on experience in fiber optic splicing, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Expert knowledge of high-density fiber environments, including 144 to 3456 ribbon fiber and up to 6912.
• Demonstrated mastery of mass fusion splicing and advanced fiber handling techniques using Fujikura, Sumitomo, or equivalent platforms.
• Strong experience interpreting OTDR traces and utilizing EXFO or similar testing equipment.
• FOA CFOT certification required; CFOS/T, CFOS/S, or equivalent advanced certifications strongly preferred.
• Proven leadership experience or demonstrated ability to lead field teams and mentor junior technicians.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve highly complex technical issues.
• Ability to work safely in confined spaces, elevated environments, and demanding conditions.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to travel as needed.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
• Ability to stand, sit, and walk for extended periods and long distances; bend, reach, and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible force frequently.
• Subject to indoor environmental conditions within data centers.
• Regular and extended travel required.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER