Drilling Fluids Engineer Trainee Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

About Lightpath

Lightpath is building the fiber infrastructure the digital economy depends on - owning, operating, and expanding dense, high-performance networks for enterprises, public institutions, carriers, and cloud innovators. Our all-fiber network supports mission-critical environments, from financial markets and healthcare systems to AI platforms and next-generation cloud architectures. As we expand across the Northeast and into high-growth markets nationwide, we invest ahead of demand - building infrastructure with precision, resilience, and accountability.

To support that growth, we’re building a team of people who take ownership, think long-term, and take pride in tackling complex work with care and integrity. At Lightpath, every role contributes to infrastructure that powers critical systems and real-world outcomes. We look for individuals who value precision, accountability, and collaboration and who want to help build networks, processes, and partnerships that are engineered to last.

Job Summary

The Director of OSP Safety and Deployment Training is responsible for overseeing, implementing, and enforcing all safety requirements for horizontal directional drilling operations associated with fiber optic cable installation. This role ensures internal construction team compliance with OSHA regulations, company safety policies, and project-specific safety plans while proactively identifying and mitigating hazards related to underground utility work, drilling operations, and jobsite activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee internal construction teams across the country to ensure safety operations for HDD crews installing fiber optic conduit and cable are adhered to in the field.
• Ensure local team and contractor compliance with OSHA, state, and local safety regulations.
• Enforce company safety policies, site-specific safety plans, and client requirements with internal construction teams and contractors.
• Conduct job-site safety inspections and audits in the field from time to time
• Conduct site visits to project sites to ensure safe operation of HDD rigs, support equipment, and tooling.
• Work with local construction teams to ensure contractors are properly locating, potholing, and utility verification prior to drilling.
• Verify safe drilling practices related to bore paths, entry/exit pits, and fluid management.
• Ensure local construction teams are safe handling and disposing of drilling fluids (mud).
• Oversee the Identification and mitigate risks associated with underground utilities, traffic control, confined spaces, and environmental conditions.
• Monitor internal construction teams to ensure they are managing contractor daily Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), tailgate meetings, and pre-task planning.
• Oversee HDD crews on safe work practices and hazard awareness.
• Serve as the primary safety point of contact between local construction teams, and contractors.
• Promote a strong safety culture and stop-work authority when unsafe conditions are identified.
• Investigate incidents, near misses, and property damage events.
• Prepare incident reports and recommend corrective actions.
• Track safety metrics and assist with continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain safety documentation, permits, inspections, and training records.
• Coordinate with locating services, inspectors, and regulatory agencies as required.
• Support project managers and superintendents in maintaining safe schedules and workflows.
• Develop and deliver training programs covering OSP conduit construction, including directional drilling, trenching, and handhole placement.
• Train internal/external teams in proper installation techniques for conduit systems, couplers, innerduct, and related hardware.
• Provide hands-on instruction for fiber cable installation, slack management, cable preparation, and protection methods.
• Conduct training on fiber testing, including OTDR operation, power meter/light source testing, interpreting traces, and documenting results.
• Evaluate technician proficiency and identify skills gaps; provide targeted coaching and corrective training.
• Maintain up-to-date training materials, SOPs, and safety documentation aligned with company standards.
• Collaborate with construction leadership to ensure training aligns with field practices, project needs, and regulatory requirements.
• Support onboarding of new technicians and continued education for existing staff.
• Perform field audits to verify adherence to training, safety protocols, and quality standards.
• Learn and training on Lightpath remote capture apps in the field to deliver daily conduit production.
• Stay current on industry standards, emerging technologies, and best practices related to OSP construction and fiber optic testing.

Required Qualifications

• 5-10+ years of construction safety experience, preferably in HDD, underground utilities, or fiber optic construction.

• Strong working knowledge of HDD operations and underground utility safety.

• OSHA 30 (OSHA 510/500 preferred).

• Valid driver’s license.

• Ability to read plans, bore profiles, and utility maps.

Preferred Qualifications

• First Aid / CPR certification.

• Competent Person (Excavation, Confined Space, or Trenching) certification.

• Experience with traffic control and work-zone safety.

• Familiarity with environmental compliance related to drilling fluids.

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

• Ability to walk active construction sites and enter work zones.

• Occasional travel between job sites.

Core Competencies

• Strong hazard recognition skills.

• Clear, confident communication.

• Ability to enforce safety standards while maintaining crew rapport.

• Detail-oriented with a proactive mindset.

Lightpath is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds regardless of gender, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. 

Lightpath collects personal information about its applicants for employment that may include personal identifiers, professional or employment related information, photos, education information and/or protected classifications under federal and state law.  This information is collected for employment purposes, including identification, work authorization, FCRA-compliant background screening, human resource administration and compliance with federal, state and local law.