Principal Network Engineer

Fleet Data Centers

$120K — $150K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in network engineering, telecommunications, or fiber infrastructure
  • Experience designing and deploying large-scale network projects
  • Expertise in fiber infrastructure and structured cabling
  • Experience in all project phases from design to operations
  • Background as a Principal Engineer or Subject Matter Expert
  • Preferred experience in data centers or critical infrastructure environments

Responsibilities

  • Design scalable network architectures for hyperscale operations
  • Develop engineering standards for various network infrastructures
  • Create redundant and future-proof fiber systems
  • Act as the technical authority for fiber and network infrastructure
  • Establish documentation and best practices across teams
  • Review engineering and construction packages
  • Support project testing, troubleshooting, and readiness
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to align connectivity needs with designs
  • Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies for improvement
  • Lead vendor selection and manage carrier relationships
  • Assist with budgeting and lifecycle cost analysis

Benefits

  • 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401K program
  • Standard paid holidays
  • Unlimited PTO
Full Job Description
Position Overview

Fleet is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and technical strategy for network infrastructure across our hyperscale campuses.

This role serves as Fleet's technical authority for fiber infrastructure, structured cabling, carrier connectivity, and Operational Technology (OT) networks including IoT, BMS, and EPMS. Working across Product, Design, Construction, Operations, customers, and external partners, you'll establish engineering standards, guide infrastructure decisions, and support projects from concept through commissioning and operations.

This is a highly technical, hands-on engineering role focused on building secure, resilient, and scalable network infrastructure for mission-critical data center environments.

What You'll Do

  • Design scalable network architectures supporting hyperscale campus operations
  • Develop standards for fiber infrastructure, structured cabling, OT networks, and carrier connectivity
  • Design inside-plant (ISP) and outside-plant (OSP) fiber systems with redundancy and future capacity in mind
  • Serve as Fleet's technical SME for network and fiber infrastructure
  • Establish engineering standards, documentation, and best practices across the organization
  • Review engineering packages, vendor designs, and construction documents
  • Support commissioning, testing, troubleshooting, and operational readiness
  • Partner with customers to translate connectivity requirements into scalable design standards
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to reliability, performance, and scalability
  • Lead technical evaluations, RFPs, vendor selection, and carrier relationships
  • Support budgeting, lifecycle cost analysis, procurement, and project execution

What We're Looking For

Experience:

  • 10+ years in network engineering, telecommunications, fiber infrastructure, or mission-critical environments
  • Experience designing and deploying large-scale network infrastructure
  • Expertise in fiber infrastructure, structured cabling, and carrier connectivity
  • Experience supporting projects through design, construction, commissioning, and operations
  • Background serving as a Principal Engineer, Technical Lead, or Subject Matter Expert
  • Data center, cloud, or other critical infrastructure experience strongly preferred

Technical Expertise:

  • Fiber optic systems, structured cabling, and network architecture
  • DWDM, CWDM, optical transport technologies
  • Routing, switching, and carrier networking
  • OT networks including IoT, BMS, and EPMS
  • AutoCAD, Visio, GIS, and infrastructure design tools
  • Network testing, validation, troubleshooting, and commissioning
  • Industry standards including ANSI/TIA, IEEE, ITU-T, ISO/IEC, BICSI, NEC, and NFPA

Travel:

  • Up to 25% travel to Fleet campuses and project sites


Expected Salary range: $120,000-$150,000 + discretionary bonus

Fleet Data Centers Employment

Fleet Data Centers employees enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K program, standard paid holidays, and unlimited PTO.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

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