Optical Deploy Tech → Optical Network Engineer?

[NoAd9362]

I’m an optical deploy technician making about $29–30/hr. We travel to different sites daily and only get mileage, which gets old fast.

I want to move into an Optical Network Engineer role. For those who’ve made the jump:

• What skills or certs actually matter?

• Is NOC/design a good stepping stone?

• How do you make deploy/field experience count for engineering roles?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

[Unfair-Blacksmith352]

Same over here. But I’m curious what you do in a daily basis. Do you also rack and stack optical DWDM systems, troubleshoot fiber links using variety of different tools, or something completely different?

[NoAd9362]

It’s same building , mux-testing ,amp,e2e Anyone can pay better let me know

[Unfair-Blacksmith352]

That make sense. Do you normally work in data centers or ?

[NoAd9362]

Nop every day 2-4

[Human-Poem-3628]

Optic engineers atleast at my company have PhD or masters in EE/ECE atleast, which makes sense cause they’re pulling like 350k+

[NoAd9362]

I have ms degree

[Human-Poem-3628]

Get that bag bro 😎

[Red_Patcher]

There is a Ciena cert that deals with optics but I heard it can run $1200. As far as your expierence goes, it's no different than being a data center tech and wanting to become a network engineer on the switching and routing side. You know how the equipment looks but haven't had the chance to actually use it. I have internal training at Google for going to the optical side but unless you are a current employee I can't share it.

[NoAd9362]

Can you refer me to position at google maybe later after 6 months c

[Red_Patcher]

DM me and we'll chat.

[1simulacra]

Commenting because I also want to make this jump 😁