Freelance Data Center Infrastructure Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY

Overview
FirstLight is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join our team. The successful candidate will initially lead complex telecommunications projects focused on network growth and maintenance coordinating all aspects of project delivery from initiation through completion. This role requires strong project leadership, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to manage diverse service implementations including dark fiber, lit fiber, voice, and data center/colocation solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full project lifecycle, from planning and design through execution and closeout, ensuring all deliverables meet scope, schedule, and budget objectives.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, and communication frameworks in alignment with Project Management Institute (PMI) best practices.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Field Operations, Construction, and Provisioning to ensure seamless execution.
• Act as the primary point of contact for assigned projects, maintaining proactive communication with internal stakeholders, and occasionally customers.
• Provide regular project status updates to leadership, including progress reporting, risk management, and forecasted completion timelines.
• Ensure project documentation, systems, and records are current, accurate, and audit ready.
• Oversee change management processes for scope or schedule adjustments.
• Facilitate customer meetings and ensure that all milestones, deliverables, and dependencies are clearly defined and communicated.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and drive continuous improvement within project delivery and operational coordination.
• Perform additional project management and coordination duties assigned to support broader business initiatives.

Qualifications and Skills

• Proven experience managing telecom projects , with a strong understanding of fiber construction processes and network topology.
• Demonstrated success managing Dark and lit fiber builds, voice solutions, and data center/colocation projects.
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and communication skills with a strong ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Education and/or Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience in telecommunications, construction, or related infrastructure industries.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Telecommunications, Construction Management, or a related field.
• PMP certification preferred but not required.

Why FirstLight

We offer a competitive base salary and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement, paid training, and paid time off.

About FirstLight

FirstLight, headquartered in Albany, New York, provides fiber-optic data, Internet, data center, cloud and voice services to enterprise and carrier customers throughout the Northeast connecting more than 13,000 locations in service with more than 125,000 locations serviceable by our more than 25,000-route mile network. FirstLight offers a robust suite of advanced telecommunications products featuring a comprehensive portfolio of high bandwidth connectivity solutions including Ethernet, wavelength, and dark fiber services as well as dedicated Internet access solutions, data center, cloud and voice services. FirstLight’s clientele includes national cellular providers and wireline carriers and many leading enterprises, spanning high tech manufacturing and research, hospitals and healthcare, banking and financial, secondary education, colleges and universities, and local and state governments.

FirstLight is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We recognize that our differences are assets that strengthen us as a team, and FirstLight is committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued, respected and recognized. FirstLight Fiber is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with state and federal laws, FirstLight’s equal opportunity policy is that all applicants and employees are treated equally by the company with respect to employment opportunities, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status or veteran disability.