Lead IBX Customer Operations (Cable Landing Station)

Job Summary:

The  Cable Landing Station Lead Engineer (COE VI) ro le is responsible for ensuring the reliable operation, maintenance, security, and compliance of critical telecommunications infrastructure. The Cable Landing Station (CLS) is mission-critical infrastructure supporting international and domestic communications and is recognised as infrastructure of national significance. 

As the technical lead for the facility, this role provides operational oversight to ensure the continuous availability and integrity of network services. The position is accountable for maintaining uninterrupted connectivity, managing operational risks, and minimising service disruptions that could impact customers, business operations, and national communications infrastructure. 

Key Responsibilities:

Network and System Support 

• Act as the primary operational and technical point of contact for Google Network Operations Centre (NOC) and subsea infrastructure stakeholders. 

• Coordinate incident response, maintenance activities, outages, change management, and restoration efforts affecting CLS infrastructure. 

• Provide timely communication, status updates, and escalation management during network events and critical incidents. 

• Ensure operational activities align with service level agreements (SLAs) and business continuity requirements. 

• Lead resolution of SLTE, DWDM, OTN, WSS, and ROADM network issues within the Cable Landing Station in partnership with Google NOC. 

• Coordinate PFE repair per direction provided by the marine authority and/or Google NOC in the event of system failure or planned outage. 

• Provide 24/7 CLS support as part of a standby on-call team. 

• Ensure operational readiness of CLS systems: hardware replacement, spares testing, inventory management, and equipment repair and return process. 

• Manage fibre optic cable installation in alignment with industry best practices, conduct testing and troubleshooting activities through service orders or as requested by NOC. 

Infrastructure Safety Management  

• Manage and coordinate restricted space access through escort and supervision of authorised visitors. 

• Perform the role of Terminal Power Safety Officer (TPSO) during critical electrical operations and maintenance activities. 

• Oversee the safe execution of electrical switching programs and permit-to-work (PTW) processes, supported by Deputy Power Safety Officers (DPSOs) and Critical Facility Engineers.  

• Ensure strict compliance with electrical safety rules, isolation procedures, lock-out/tag-out requirements, and applicable WHS legislation. 

• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure all personnel and contractors adhere to established safety standards. 

• Manage PPE compliance and maintain records to support safety and audit requirements. 

• Lead safety briefings, risk assessments, and incident investigations associated with operational activities. 

Training and Competency Management 

• Develop and maintain a training needs analysis (TNA) program for operational staff. 

• Coordinate onboarding, technical training, safety training, and refresher programs. 

• Ensure personnel maintain competency in cable landing station operations, optical transport network systems, emergency response procedures, and electrical safety requirements. 

• Support workforce development, succession planning, and knowledge transfer initiatives. 

• Maintain training records and ensure compliance with internal and regulatory requirements. 

Certification and Compliance Oversight 

• Manage and track employee certifications, licenses, and mandatory competency requirements. 

• Ensure all operational personnel maintain current qualifications required for their roles. 

• Coordinate certification renewals, audits, and compliance reporting. 

• Support compliance with telecommunications, electrical safety, critical infrastructure, and workplace health and safety regulations. 

• Maintain documentation and evidence required for internal and external audits. 

Operational Leadership and Asset Management 

• Provide technical leadership for the operation and maintenance of critical cable landing station infrastructure. 

• Coordinate planned maintenance activities and support rapid restoration during service-impacting events. 

• Monitor asset performance, identify risks, and implement continuous improvement initiatives. 

• Support business continuity, disaster recovery, and infrastructure resilience programs. 

• Mentor Customer Operations and Critical Facilties team members to ensure consistent operational standards and best practices. 

• Drive continuous improvement of Equinix documentation to ensure alignment with the customers' procedures. 

• Act as a campus SME for network infrastructure, cable plant, and related processes. 

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Networking, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Engineering, or related technical discipline. 

• 5+ years’ experience in network engineering, network operations or telecommunications domains supporting large-scale service provider environments. 

• 5+ years’ in data centre operations, performing hardware deployment, cable installation, testing, and troubleshooting. 

• Practical knowledge of submarine cable systems, DWDM transmission technologies, network management systems, and operational support processes.  

• Hold a current Cable Landing Station (CLS) credential such as SubCom B1/B2 certification. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in optical and network testing methodologies, including the use of Viavi or Fluke OLTS and OTDR equipment. 

• Proven experience monitoring, diagnosing, and resolving network performance issues. 

• Experience using ticketing and incident management systems to manage faults, service requests, and operational activities. 

• Proven ability to work independently, manage priorities effectively, and deliver outcomes with minimal supervision. 

• Multi-vendor experience and/or certifications across submarine cable, optical transport, or network provider technologies, including Nokia, Ciena, Infinera, Juniper, and Arista are highly regarded.