Field Engineer - #2170983

Field Engineer (CCTV, Wi-fi and Networking)

Base Location: Birmingham(mobile across UK)

Hours: Full Time (40hrs pw)

Salary: £35-42,000 DoE

Optical Express is the UK’s only complete eye care provider, and Europe’s leading private provider of laser eye surgery and premium intraocular lens and cataract surgery.

For over 35 years, millions of patients have trusted Optical Express with their eye care. Operating clinics across the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe, Optical Express, supported by an esteemed International Medical Advisory Board, is a thought leader in the global optometry and refractive surgery industry.

We are seeking to recruit a Field Engineer who will be responsible for the installation and commissioning of CCTV, wi-Fi and networks across our estate.

This is a hands-on role, involving surveying the site, running and terminating cables through walls and ceiling voids, mounting and connecting equipment, making good any disruption to the fabric of the building, then configuring and testing the system to ensure fully operational before handover. You will be the IT team's presence on site, you will need to have relevant knowledge to connect the installations into the wider estate and deal with any IT issues whilst on site.

Key Responsibilities

Site surveys and planning

• Visit sites to survey for new CCTV, Wi-Fi and network installations: camera positions and fields of view, access point placement and coverage, cabinet and switch locations, cable routes and containment.
• Produce a simple install plan and bill of materials for each job and agree it with the Head of IT before work starts.
• Identify where electrical supplies, PoE budgets or structural work are needed and flag anything that needs a qualified electrician or contractor.

Cabling and physical installation

• Run, dress and terminate structured cabling (Cat6/Cat6a, and fibre where required) through walls, floors, ceiling voids and external routes, using appropriate containment and fixings.
• Cut and form access hatches where needed, then patch, fill, sand and decorate so the property is returned to the standard it was found in.
• Mount cameras, access points, switches, cabinets and patch panels; label and document every cable, port and device.
• Work safely at height and in voids, using ladders, steps and towers correctly and following site rules and risk assessments.
• Understand the electrical side of an install: isolate safely, identify circuits, size and position PoE and power supplies, and know the limits of what you may do without a qualified electrician.

Commissioning and testing

• Configure and commission CCTV systems: camera setup, recording schedules, retention, motion zones, user access and remote viewing.
• Configure and commission Wi-Fi and network equipment (primarily Ubiquiti UniFi): controllers, switches, access points, VLANs, SSIDs, guest networks and PoE.
• Test every install before handover: cable certification or verification, Wi-Fi coverage and throughput surveys, camera image quality and coverage, failover and recording checks.
• Produce handover documentation: as-built drawings, device lists, IP schedules, camera schedules and test results.

Support and maintenance

• Act as first-line IT presence on site during visits: swap faulty kit, troubleshoot connectivity, assist site teams with basic IT issues and report anything that needs escalation.
• Carry out planned maintenance and fault visits on existing CCTV, Wi-Fi and network estate, and keep the asset register and monitoring tools up to date.
• Keep van stock, tools and test equipment organised and in good order, and manage your own diary and job log.

Essential skills and experience

• Proven experience installing and commissioning IP CCTV, Wi-Fi and network equipment in commercial premises.
• Hands-on experience with Ubiquiti UniFi (Dream Machine / Cloud Gateway, switches, access points, UniFi Protect cameras) including controller setup, adoption, VLANs and remote management.
• Confident running and terminating structured cabling (Cat6/Cat6a) to a tidy, labelled, testable standard, including cable dressing in cabinets and routing through voids and walls.
• Practical making-good skills: able to cut, patch, fill and decorate so that hatches and cable entries are invisible on completion.
• A working understanding of electrical installation: safe isolation, circuits, PoE and low-voltage power supplies, and when an electrician must be involved.
• Solid general IT and networking knowledge: TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, VLANs, subnetting, firewalls and remote access, and the ability to fault-find across all of them.
• Experience producing clear handover documentation and test records.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites across the estate, including occasional early, late or weekend work to avoid disrupting trading hours.

Desirable skills and qualifications

• Ubiquiti training or certification (UEWA, UBWA, UBRSS or UniFi Protect).
• CompTIA Network+ or equivalent networking qualification.
• City & Guilds 2365 / 18th Edition (BS 7671) or similar electrical qualification.
• ECS / CSCS card, IPAF or PASMA for working at height, and asbestos awareness.
• Experience with Wi-Fi survey tools (Ekahau, NetSpot or UniFi Design Center) and cable certifiers.
• Experience with access control, intruder alarm or AV systems, and with other camera platforms (Hikvision, Axis, Dahua).
• Experience supporting Microsoft 365, Windows desktops and EPoS or till networks in a multi-site business.

Working arrangements and personal attributes

As this is a field role, most of your week is spent on site, with planning, documentation and remote configuration done from head office or home. A company vehicle, tools and test equipment are provided; a mobile phone and laptop are issued for remote access to the UniFi and CCTV platforms.

We are looking for someone who:

• Takes pride in the finish of an install and will not leave a site until it looks right and works.
• Works safely and tidily in live, customer-facing premises and respects site teams and trading hours.
• Can plan their own work, manage a diary across several sites and keep the Head of IT informed of progress at all times.
• Communicates clearly with non-technical site managers and can explain what has been installed and how to use it.
• Is comfortable working alone, lifting equipment, working at height and in confined voids, and holds a clean driving licence.

Package and how to apply

• Salary: £35,000 - £42,000 depending on experience
• Hours: 40 per week, with flexibility for out-of-hours installs and occasional weekend work (time off in lieu or overtime as agreed)
• Benefits: Company vehicle and fuel card, phone and laptop, tools and PPE.
• Training: Ubiquiti and manufacturer training supported and funded
• 33 days annual leave
• Free Laser Eye Surgery and Intraocular Lens Surgery
• Free eye tests
• Free prescription eye wear to a value of £250 and discount on sunglasses
• Generous Optical Express friends and family discount scheme
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Pension scheme
• Access to a range of exclusive offers, discounts and rewards
• Employee Assistance Programme and Wellbeing Solutions/Support

To apply, send a CV and a short note describing two recent installs you are proud of to [email protected]. The Interview and selection process will involve carrying out a practical assessment which will include, cable termination, UniFi configuration and a short making-good task.