Senior Telecommunications Engineering Specialist (VTC/UC Focus)

The Senior Telecommunications Engineering Specialist is a subject matter expert (SME) responsible for the architectural design, engineering, and high-level management of the organization's enterprise unified communications (UC) and collaboration infrastructure. With a deep focus on Video Teleconferencing (VTC), this role leads the planning and implementation of complex communication solutions, ensuring they are secure, scalable, and aligned with mission requirements. The Senior Specialist serves as the final escalation point for the most critical and complex VTC and VoIP issues, provides technical leadership on UC projects, and mentors junior technicians. They are responsible for the health and performance of the entire real-time communication ecosystem, from endpoint devices to the core infrastructure, including gateways, session border controllers, and bridging systems.

Typical Task List:

• Unified Communications (UC) Architecture and Design:
• Design, engineer, and lead the implementation of enterprise-level VTC and VoIPsolutions, including the integration of on-premises and cloud-based services.
• Develop and maintain the architectural roadmap for the organization's unifiedcommunications technologies, evaluating new products and recommending
• solutions for technology refresh and capability enhancement.
• Create and maintain comprehensive system documentation, including detailed network diagrams, call routing plans, and system configuration standards.
• Install, configure, and test VTC hardware, including codecs, cameras,microphones, and control systems in conference rooms and other designatedfacilities.
• Integrate VTC systems with associated audio-visual (AV) equipment, such asdisplays, projectors, and room control panels (e.g., Extron, Crestron, AMX).

Infrastructure Management and Optimization:

• Manage and administer the core UC infrastructure, including videocommunication servers, multipoint control units (MCUs)/bridges, session bordercontrollers (SBCs), and gateways.
• Perform capacity planning and performance analysis of the UC network to ensurequality of service (QoS) and prevent degradation of voice and video traffic.
• Lead the implementation of security controls across the UC environment,ensuring compliance with DoD STIGs and other security mandates.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Problem Management:

• Serve as the Tier 3 escalation point for resolving complex and persistent issuesrelated to VTC, VoIP, and overall UC system interoperability.
• Conduct root cause analysis for major service outages or performance degradationincidents.
• Analyze network packet captures and system logs to diagnose complex real-timecommunication problems.

Project Leadership and Mentorship:

• Act as the technical lead for major UC projects, such as conference roomtechnology upgrades or the deployment of new collaboration platforms.
• Provide expert technical guidance, on-the-job training, and mentorship to juniorand journeyman telecommunications specialists.
• Collaborate with network and cybersecurity teams to ensure seamless and secureintegration of UC systems with the broader IT enterprise.

Minimum Qualifications / RequirementsExperience:

• A minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive experience intelecommunications and network engineering.
• At least five (5) years of this experience must be focused on designing,implementing, and managing enterprise-level VTC and VoIP systems (Cisco basedenvironments preferred).

Certifications (Baseline):

• Must possess a current CompTIA Security+ CE certification (or higher) to meetDoD 8140 requirements for IAT Level II.
• This position requires current industry certifications, including AVIXA CTS,Extron Specialist/Engineer-level certifications, and Biamp Tesira certifications,reflecting proficiency in AV fundamentals, control system design, andprofessional grade DSP configuration.

Security Clearance:

• Must be able to acquire and maintain a DoW Security Clearance

Technical Skills:

• Expert-level knowledge of VTC and voice signaling protocols (SIP, H.323,SCCP).
• In-depth, hands-on experience managing Cisco Unified Communications
• Manager (CUCM), Cisco Meeting Server (CMS), and Expressway/VCS.
• Strong understanding of network engineering principles as they relate to real-time
• traffic, including Quality of Service (QoS), multicast, and IP routing.
• Proficiency with network and protocol analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark).
• Experience securing UC systems in a DoD environment.