Senior Network Engineer - Data Center Build
About the Role
FastBytes is hiring a Senior Network Engineer on behalf of a major data center operator executing an aggressive multi-site build program across the US. This role puts you at the center of the physical network — designing, deploying, and commissioning the backbone infrastructure inside brand-new AI-ready data center facilities.
This isn't maintenance work. You'll be standing up networks from bare metal — spine-leaf fabrics, high-density interconnects, and the cabling infrastructure required to support tens of thousands of GPUs per site. You'll travel to active construction sites, work alongside electrical and mechanical trades, and hand off fully operational networks to operations teams.
What You'll Do
- Design and deploy spine-leaf network architectures for new data center builds supporting high-density AI/ML compute workloads
- Lead network commissioning activities: rack-and-stack, cabling, patch panel buildout, optics installation, and turn-up testing
- Configure and validate routing and switching platforms (BGP, OSPF, EVPN-VXLAN) across campus and data center fabrics
- Develop and execute network acceptance testing plans, burn-in procedures, and performance validation
- Collaborate with structured cabling contractors on fiber plant design, pathway routing, and cable management standards
- Partner with facilities, electrical, and mechanical engineering teams during construction phases to coordinate network infrastructure readiness
- Create and maintain network documentation: topology diagrams, IP address plans, port maps, and as-built records
- Establish configuration templates, automation scripts, and deployment standards that scale across multiple simultaneous builds
- Troubleshoot layer 1-3 issues during commissioning and early production, including optics, transceivers, and physical connectivity
- Evaluate and recommend network hardware, optics vendors, and cabling solutions based on performance, cost, and lead time
What You Bring
- 7+ years of network engineering experience with at least 3 years focused on data center environments
- Hands-on experience with data center network builds or large-scale network deployments (greenfield or major expansion)
- Expert knowledge of spine-leaf architectures, BGP, OSPF, EVPN-VXLAN, and segment routing
- Deep familiarity with enterprise/data center switching platforms (Arista, Cisco Nexus, Juniper QFX, or similar)
- Strong layer 1 skills: fiber optics (single-mode, multi-mode), structured cabling standards (TIA-568, TIA-942), and physical infrastructure
- Experience with 400G/800G optics, breakout cables, and high-density patching solutions
- Proficiency with network automation and tooling (Ansible, Nornir, Napalm, Python, or similar)
- Ability to read and interpret data center floor plans, riser diagrams, and cabling schematics
- Willingness to travel 30-50% to active build sites across US markets (Northern Virginia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, Columbus, and others)
- Excellent documentation habits and the discipline to maintain standards across multiple concurrent projects
Nice to Have
- Experience supporting GPU cluster networking (RoCE, InfiniBand, NVIDIA Spectrum, rail-optimized topologies)
- Background in hyperscale or colocation data center operations (Equinix, Digital Realty, QTS, Vantage, or similar)
- Familiarity with DCIM platforms and network monitoring tools (Netbox, Observium, LibreNMS, Datadog)
- Understanding of data center power and cooling constraints as they relate to network cabinet placement and density
- CCNP, CCIE, JNCIP, or equivalent certifications
- Experience with smart hands coordination and remote deployment workflows
- Knowledge of dark fiber procurement, cross-connect management, and carrier meet-me rooms
Why This Role
- Ground-floor builds — You'll commission networks inside facilities that don't exist yet, not inherit someone else's mess
- Top-of-market pay — $160K-$220K+ with relocation assistance, travel per diem, and performance bonuses
- Massive scale — Multi-megawatt sites with thousands of racks, not a single closet refresh
- Career-defining projects — The networks you build will power the next generation of AI training and inference
- Growth trajectory — Path to network architecture, principal engineer, or build program leadership
- Multiple markets — Exposure to the highest-demand data center regions in the country
About FastBytes
FastBytes.io is a specialty recruiting firm focused exclusively on AI and data center infrastructure talent. We partner with hyperscalers, colocation providers, AI companies, and enterprise operators building the physical and network infrastructure powering the AI boom. One profile with FastBytes gives you access to dozens of employers across every major data center market in the US.
Ready to Build the Future?
If you're an experienced network engineer ready to take on career-defining infrastructure projects at scale, we want to hear from you. Apply now to join our team and help power the next generation of AI innovation.
