The ISP (Inside plant) Engineer is responsible for the development and design of intricate inside plant equipment installations, modifications, and upgrades. In the Telecom world, the term “inside plant” refers to all the cabling and equipment installed in the Telecommunication facility. This includes main distribution frames (MDF) and protectors. These engineers play an essential role, mainly in data centers, for the structured cabling of all on-site installations.
Inside Plant, Engineers collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders including capacity, network architecture and field engineers. Plant engineers ensure that requirements are met for all structured cabling inside the plant. Engineers support and maintain plant network elements and their connection requirements.
In an inside plant, engineers maintain the typical power system of a switching office. These consist of the following elements:
- AC electricity input
- DC battery input
For reasons of safety and reliability, plant engineers prefer DC power for all Telecommunication equipment.
Job Description
The day-to-day routine of inside plant engineers is engaged in providing support and path to other plant workforces in right plant processes and installation methods. From some of the daily routine, it includes guiding precautionary and repairs to ensure that plant operations are capable enough to meet deliverables and deadlines.
Inside Plant Engineers also perform operational assessments to ensure that strategies fall within the estimated specifications. They may also design and develop a procedure to increase plant’s efficiency and quality.
Inside Plant Engineers and field, personnel will take field notes and make design considerations at MDF and IDF locations.
Generally, the ISP Engineer is involved with overall maintenance of the inside plant installation as well as with new equipment. This includes network, data center, WAN, and LAN hardware in addition to systematic upgrades as required.
They assist network professionals with troubleshooting, support, and upkeep of network essentials needed to support Charter's revenue generating networks. Work to provide enterprise-wide tiered support on converged distribution and access network elements and connections as needed. May provide support for moderate services and other products.
Out of several other duties, the standard job description of this position is as follows:
- Laying the groundwork for the creation of drawings of the plant and the detailed specifications of its maintenance record
- Drafting essential processes of Inside Engineering
- Coordinate with Network engineering, supply chain, and Infrastructure delivery teams.
- Support the installation of a new product under regulatory compliance
- Oversee site survey information to determine the placement of new equipment, parts required for installation, cable type and connections, power equipment needs and outside cabinet modifications and cooling requirements
- Responsible for high-quality satellite microwave and digital transport programs up to the outside plant (OSP)
- Engineers perform TQA (technical quality assurance) during installation of a variety of fiber optic transmission, CAT6 and hub set-ups inside the plant.
Out of essential functions, one of the critical aspects which ISP Engineer handles is network engineering. Every organization is dependent on the network for its better communication. ISP Engineer also ensures that the system has zero downtime for smooth communication among the stakeholders.
Education Requirements
For a successful career as ISP (Inside Plant) Engineer, one should possess a relevant degree in Telecommunication or Electronics/Technology or possess network implementation experience in a related field. CCNA certification can provide a career boost.
In addition to the basic requirements above, valid certification from SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers) and knowledge of the data center and fiber optics will provide an extra advantage.
Skills Required
ISP Engineers require the following skills for professional success:
- Product design experience
- Expertise in troubleshooting outages
- Performance optimization
- Analog/digital modulation
- Detail conversion
- Design review
Salary
The average salary estimates of this position, per paysa, is $83,955 to $94,737 per annum. Salaries vary from one organization to another depending on whether employment is full or part-time. Freelancing can offer excellent opportunities for work. In the Telecom world, Top Freelance Marketplaces like FieldEngineer provide an exclusive platform for freelance engineers.
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