Job Description:Airbus Commercial Aircraft is looking for a Senior IT Network Infrastructure & Private 5G Operations Specialist to join our Connectivity Product & Service Line (PSL) team based in Mobile, AL.
You will be part of a team developing high-density optical fiber/copper networks, server rooms, and Private 5G/edge compute infrastructure. As part of the Connectivity Product & Service Line (PSL) North America, you will be involved in physical cabling deployments and Private 5G IT operations aiming at supporting mission-critical data centers, logistics, and manufacturing across Airbus North American commercial aviation and helicopter facilities.
Meet the TeamYou will function as the regional technical lead and strategic interface between North American business entities (manufacturing, assembly lines, hangars, regional sites) and the global Connectivity Product team. You will lead physical infrastructure deployments and drive Private 5G/edge compute operationalization alongside low-voltage technicians, engineering partners, and global IT counterparts across various zones and countries.
Your Working EnvironmentWhether supporting our Mobile Manufacturing Site (MMS) or any other locations in the US, you will work across dynamic industrial and technical environments—including high-density data centers, manufacturing shop floors, flight lines, and hangars. This role connects regional operations with global transatlantic IT governance across European and American sites.
How We Care for You- Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan, and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (7ESOP8).
- Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays, and a generous paid parental leave program.
- Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (7EAP8), and other supplemental benefit coverages.
- Individual Development: Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path, as well as the opportunity to participate in accelerated development programmes and both national and international mobility.
Your Challenges1. Physical Cabling & Network Infrastructure Deployment (50%)- Physical Topology & Redundancy: Design, validate, and oversee the execution of redundant physical network pathways, optical fiber/copper distribution, patch panels, and network room/MDF/IDF layouts in compliance with regional standards and their evolution.
- On-Site Field Execution & QA/QC: Lead physical deployment projects across North American plants, hangars, and data centers. Direct daily activities of low-voltage technicians and subcontractors, enforcing quality control for OTDR testing, insertion loss budgets, copper certification, and labeling standards.
- Facilities & Engineering Support: Serve as technical advisor to Facilities Management and external engineering partners during site expansions, building refurbishments, and infrastructure modernization efforts.
- Documentation & CMDB Tracking: Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation1including port maps, rack elevations, optical loss budgets, cable paths, and physical node mapswithin enterprise CMDB systems.
2. Private 5G & Wireless IT Operations (25%)- 5G Demand Intake & Feasibility: Capture and evaluate operational demands for Private 5G (SA), CBRS, Small Cells, and indoor DAS across manufacturing shop floors, flight lines, and warehouse sites.
- Deployment Prerequisites & Readiness: Verify physical and technical prerequisites prior to 5G expansionincluding eCPRI/CPRI optical fronthaul links, PoE++ power budgeting, edge compute (MEC) cabling interconnections, and radio unit (RU/gNodeB) placements.
- Operations, Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Support day-to-day operations and physical layer troubleshooting for Private 5G radio nodes and edge infrastructure. Utilize RF signal verification tools and network diagnostics to isolate and resolve connectivity issues.
- Lifecycle & Innovation: Plan and integrate emerging (P)5G edge innovations into the North American infrastructure while adhering to network security policies.
3. Business Interface & Financial Management (25%)- Strategic Business Focal Point: Function as the trusted advisor and strategic point of contact between North American business entities (manufacturing, assembly lines, hangars, regional sites) and the global Connectivity Product team.
- Budgeting & Cost Oversight: Manage and track assigned operating expenditures (OPEX) and project capital investment budgets (CAPEX) for North American cabling and 5G field builds.
- Vendor & Subcontractor Governance: Direct external contractors, low-voltage installation crews, and telecommunications suppliers. Review change orders, validate completed work, enforce safety regulations (RF safety, working at heights, live data center rules), and manage the lifecycle of the network cabling catalog.
Your Boarding PassExperience & Education- Professional Experience: 6+ years of hands-on experience leading structured cabling, optical fiber, and low-voltage deployments in mission-critical, data center, or industrial manufacturing environments.
- Education: Bachelor6s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or equivalent practical field experience.
- Wireless & Edge Hardware Expertise: Applied experience with Private 5G/LTE, Small Cells, indoor DAS, eCPRI/CPRI fronthaul cabling, and edge compute (MEC) interconnects. Working knowledge of 5G physical layer hardware (PoE++, SFP/SFP+ transceivers, RRH/RU, RF jumper cabling).
Key Capabilities & Technical Skills- Testing & Quality Control: Proficiency with fiber optic testing equipment (OTDR, optical power meters, VFL) and link loss budgeting for high-bandwidth networks.
- Network Fundamentals: Solid knowledge of TCP/IP, OSI model, Ethernet standards, IP routing/switching, VLANs, and enterprise wireless standards.
- Project & Financial Leadership: Proven ability to direct vendor teams, track multi-site project schedules, and manage OPEX/CAPEX budgets.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to articulate complex technical details to both non-technical business leaders and engineering teams.
- Language Proficiency: Fluent written and spoken English.
Desirable / Preferred Qualifications- German or French language skills are a plus.
- Experience collaborating with international teams across different zones and time zones.
Physical Requirements- Ability to work in on-site field conditions across manufacturing plants, hangars, server rooms, and data center environments.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% (Domestic and International).
- Authorization to work in the US (No security clearance required).
- Compliance with on-site safety standards (e.g., working at heights, RF safety, live data center procedures).
- Onsite or remote: 60% on site required
- Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings. Daily
- Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on production floor including safety warnings or alarms. Daily
- Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications. Daily
- Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts. Daily
- Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. Several times a month
- Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. Several times a month
- Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools. Rarely
- Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer. Daily
- Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving. Rarely
- Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor. Several times a month
- Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice.
- Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces. Several times a week
- Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site
- Administrative position only PPE required: Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visit, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.
