Telecoms Field Engineer – WSS Card Swap-Out Support – London at KMS Communications Limited, London, £200 a day

Role Overview

KMS Communications is looking for one additional subcontract telecoms / field engineer based in or near London / South East to support upcoming WSS card swap-out works across regional JISC sites.

KMS already has core engineers allocated to this project and is looking to add regional support engineers to provide additional coverage during planned maintenance windows.

The works involve replacing WSS cards within Ciena 6500 shelves as part of a wider optical network upgrade project.

Prior Ciena 6500 experience is not essential , as the task is primarily a controlled hardware card swap-out. However, experience with Ciena, DWDM, optical transport equipment, data centres, exchanges, or live telecoms environments would be advantageous.

Regional Coverage

This advert is for engineers based in or near London / South East .

Potential site coverage may include London, Essex, Cambridge, Oxford, Reading, Brunel, Egham, and other surrounding areas.

Applicants must be able to travel to assigned sites within the region.

Scope of Work

You will attend assigned sites during planned maintenance windows and support WSS card replacement activities in line with provided instructions, site procedures, and change-control requirements.

Typical duties may include:

• Attending site within the agreed maintenance window
• Identifying the correct shelf, slot, and WSS card to be replaced
• Completing controlled card/module swap-out activities
• Handling network equipment safely and carefully
• Supporting remote network engineers during the maintenance window
• Following step-by-step work instructions
• Taking clear pre-work and post-work photographs
• Confirming completion and providing site updates
• Escalating any access, hardware, or site issues promptly

Working Pattern

This is project-based subcontract support work, with attendance required only when regional sites are scheduled.

Some visits may only require a few hours on site, although each planned maintenance window can be up to a maximum of 8 hours .

Works are currently expected to take place during normal business hours , Monday to Friday. Weekend work is not currently included in the scope.

Some maintenance windows may require more than one on-site engineer, so you may be paired with another KMS engineer or subcontractor depending on site requirements.

Essential Requirements

Applicants must have:

• Previous telecoms, data centre, exchange, network, or field engineering experience
• Experience with hardware swap-outs, equipment replacement, or card/module changes
• Ability to follow detailed work instructions and change-control processes
• Good attention to detail when working around live network infrastructure
• Ability to provide clear site evidence, including photographs and completion updates
• Own PPE
• Full UK driving licence
• Ability to travel to assigned sites within London / South East and surrounding areas
• Professional and reliable approach to site attendance and communication

Advantageous Experience

The following would be beneficial but is not essential:

• Ciena 6500 shelf experience
• WSS card or optical module replacement experience
• DWDM / optical transport experience
• Fibre patching or optical network awareness
• Carrier, university, data centre, or exchange site experience
• ECS / CSCS / telecoms site access certifications
• First aid, manual handling, or working at height certification

Engagement

This is a subcontract / project-based support role . It is not a full-time permanent position and does not guarantee continuous work.

Rates can be agreed based on location, availability, experience, and whether engagement is structured as a day rate, attendance rate, or regional support rate.

There may be potential for future telecoms, optical network, and field engineering work with KMS Communications.

Pay: £200.00 per day

Work Location: In person