Senior Cabling/Smart Hands Engineer

Senior Cabling/Smart Hands Engineer (Data Centre & Corporate) - Contract

Multiple UK Locations - ASAP Start - Contract until 30/09

Overview

We're looking for experienced Senior Cabing/Smart Hands Engineers to support critical infrastructure work across data centre and corporate environments. This is a hands-on role for someone who is confident working to high standards under change control, following structured patching schedules, and delivering quality installs, terminations, and testing, particularly across fibre and structured cabling.
You'll be part of a project team delivering physical network infrastructure services including cabling, pathways, rack work, and "smart hands" support to remote network/system administrators.

Openings & Locations (Headcount)

• Birmingham
• Leeds
• Manchester
• Peterborough
• Reading

Contract Details

• Start date: ASAP
• End date: 30/09
• Working pattern: Flexible hours; night/shift/weekend work may be required depending on project needs
• Travel: Must be willing and able to travel within the UK, and international travel (including flights) may be required on some projects

Pay (Hourly + Annual Equivalent)

You can engage via Umbrella:

Umbrella

• £19.33 per hour
• Approx. £37,693.50 per annum equivalent

What You'll Be Doing (Key Responsibilities)

Structured Cabling & Fibre Delivery

• Install, terminate, label, and test structured cabling in data centre and corporate settings
• Perform fibre optic installation, termination & testing (including fault finding and remediation)
• Conduct testing using Fluke test equipment and produce/interpret test results
• Diagnose cable faults, resolve issues efficiently, and maintain quality standards throughout

Pathways, Containment & Physical Install

• Install cable pathways/containment such as basket trays, trunking, fibre runner
• Route cables neatly and safely, ensuring compliance with site standards and best practice
• Maintain tidy work areas and follow site processes (access, permits, change windows, etc.)

Rack & Network Hardware Support (Smart Hands)

• Install power and data connection cables within server and networking racks
• Support rack-and-stack activities for active network hardware (Switches/Routers/Servers)
• Follow patching schedules/cut sheets accurately; execute changes with attention to detail
• Provide on-site support to remote network and systems administrators (eg, guided tasks, visual checks, cable tracing, component swaps)
• Apply basic IP Addressing tasks under instruction/direction

Safety, Quality & Professional Conduct

• Work to strict Health & Safety standards, including risk awareness and safe systems of work
• Communicate clearly and professionally with stakeholders at all levels (site teams, project managers, engineers, customer contacts)
• Deliver work that meets agreed quality standards, documentation requirements, and timelines

What We're Looking For (Essential Requirements)

• Minimum 3 years' hands-on experience in the structured cabling industry
• Very familiar working within data centre and corporate environments
• Strong understanding of structured cabling solutions and industry best practice
• Proven capability installing, terminating, and testing fibre optic cables
• Confident using Fluke test tools and completing fault diagnosis
• Ability to read, understand, and execute from patching schedules/cut sheets
• Demonstrable experience:
  • Pathway/containment installation (basket, trunking, fibre runner)
  • Rack-level cabling and connectivity
  • Rack-and-stack of active hardware (Switches, Routers, Servers)
• Strong communication skills and a professional, proactive attitude
• Willingness to work flexible hours and support shift/weekend work if required
• Willingness to travel within the UK and potentially overseas as part of a team

Certifications & Accreditation (Essential)

• Health & Safety training aligned to construction environments, such as:
  CSCS/ECS (or local/country equivalent affiliated to the relevant construction industry training board)
• At least 3 industry or manufacturer installation accreditations (eg, CommScope, Corning, Panduit, or other leading brands)
• Completed an industry-recognised structured cabling and fibre optic course, eg:
  CNET CNIT, BICSI Engineer, BICSI Technician, City & Guilds, or equivalent (eg, B-TEC)

Desirable (Nice to Have)

• IPAF and/or PASMA (or local/country equivalent powered access qualification)
• Experience installing and configuring UPS systems

What Success Looks Like

• High-quality terminations and test results delivered right-first-time
• Accurate, clean patching executed to schedule with minimal rework
• Safe, compliant working with strong housekeeping and documentation
• Dependable on-site support to remote teams and project stakeholders
• Professional communication and strong ownership of tasks through to completion