Structured Cabling Growth Transforms Telecom + Low-Voltage Careers
Is Your Career Ready for the Next Level?
Experience goes a long way.
When it comes to career growth, having the right experience is often the difference between landing your ideal role and missing out on a life-changing opportunity.
End-customers – regardless of the industry – always value experienced professionals working on their projects. If you have telecommunications, low-voltage installation, or related contracting experience, structured cabling roles on today’s large scale construction projects offer the perfect opportunity to take your career to the next level.
I’ve been involved with a variety of start-ups, contractors and smaller companies, but they didn't have the resources, the strategy or the direction that comes close to what we’re doing here.
Why Low-Voltage Experience Matters Right Now
If you have an interest in technology and understand construction, chances are you already understand the importance of connectivity in modern infrastructure. Structured cabling is the physical backbone of all the data transmission, voice, wireless security and related building systems.
According to a Fortune Business Insights study, the global structured cabling market is projected to grow from $11.6 billion in 2022 to over $21.4 billion in 2029 – with the US market accounting for about 40% of this growth.
The growing demand for high-speed connectivity and the rapid expansion of data centers to support AI is driving fiber and high-performance cabling installations on a variety of construction projects, including:
- Large-scale smart building initiatives fueling IoT (internet of things) and intelligent building cabling needs
- Rapid rollout of 5G networks and cloud/data center facilities
- Upgrades in institutional and commercial networks to meet higher bandwidth demands
In addition to the construction of new data centers, this work is playing an increasingly vital role in the construction of projects such as sports and entertainment stadiums, hospitals, and more.
Given the massive scale and complexity of many of these new projects, end-customers are turning to proven General Contractors (GCs) to self-perform structured cabling work as part of the project scope. As a result, professionals with a background in telecom, audio visual, security and other low-voltage systems are prime candidates to master these advanced, hyperscale environments and lead the efforts involved with executing the work.
“Structured cabling is ubiquitous. It's in every single type of modern building that we have – it's just to what extent,” said Travis Pakonen, Structured Cabling Market Executive at Mortenson. “There's an extreme scale and speed with what we're executing in this hyperscale market. AI is driving an explosion of growth that offers great opportunities for those experienced professionals coming in to expand their skillsets and gain specialized knowledge as the industry continues to grow.”
At Mortenson, we value professionals who can guide others, and we can take that expertise to the next level.
Expand Your Expertise on Cutting-Edge Projects
As modern society increasingly relies on technology and the convenience it provides, fewer low-voltage and communications contractors are involved with the scopes of work on these hyperscale construction projects. These projects are far beyond typical low-voltage contracting jobs in every way and every project has its own unique technology requirements, including:
- Fiber optic cabling
- Security
- Wireless access points
- Cellular DAS
- ERS
- IPTV
- Call system telemetry and more
As some of the largest facilities ever built, they include fiber counts and cabinet volumes that dwarf typical telecom projects. Imagine moving from projects with hundreds of fiber cabinets at most to hyperscale environments that deploy technology on campuses containing tens of thousands fiber cabinets and corresponding high-density fiber optic networks.
“With smaller electrical or low-voltage firms, the work often doesn't feel as pivotal or interesting,” said Pakonen. “We're building one of the largest data centers in the world and working on this technology that's in the order of hundreds of millions of dollars feels a lot more appealing and purposeful.”
The project team collaborates with customers to align technology choices with their vision and budget – much like customizing a home, but on a scale that impacts thousands of users. Every project is both challenging and rewarding since the planning and installation work combines elements of technical precision with creative problem-solving. With significant experience delivering huge construction projects and a large self-perform pool, Mortenson is well positioned to help hyperscalers get their projects completed as quickly as possible while adding value to each project along the way.
“There's so many different building types and project types and unique nuanced ways that this technology gets deployed,” said Pakonen. “It's kind of like art in that we have to adapt what we understand about technology into these specific buildings and then help the customers understand what is it going to cost, along with how and when it can be delivered.”
Career Advantages Over Smaller Subcontractors
Many telecom professionals often hit a ceiling when trying to advance their careers with smaller companies. With preferred industry GCs like Mortenson, working with hyperscalers means the possibilities for career growth are endless.
Every customer brings unique technical and operational needs and adapting to those environments requires seasoned insight. Low-voltage and telecom professionals can deepen their knowledge of industry standards, scheduling milestones and other unique aspects of hyperscale projects while mentoring the next generation of communications distribution designers, installers and technicians.
Clear Career Paths for Growth
Mortenson team members can count on ongoing discussions with their leadership team as part of a commitment to supporting their interests and career growth. Within the structured cabling group, these conversations help evaluate individual progress related to multiple advancement tracks, some of which include:
- Field Operations: Start as an Installer or Technician and progress to Foreperson or General Foreperson managing large teams
- Project Management: Move from Field Engineer to Project Engineer, Assistant Project Manager, Project Manager, and Senior Project Manager
- Design Phase Management: Focus on preconstruction planning, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget alignment
We're not just pulling fiber - we're powering the world's digital heartbeat. If you want a career where you work fuels innovation, drives global connectivity, and leaves a legacy of speed and reliability, this is your moment.
Opportunities to Start a New Career in Construction
In addition to candidates with previous telecom or low-voltage experience, Mortenson also offers opportunities for those have an interest in technology and are looking to start a construction career.
With the explosive growth largely driven by AI, there are many opportunities to work in structured cabling as a Laborer or other Craft field operations position. For those who don't have any experience in the construction or telecommunications industries, apprenticeships are perfect way to get started in the construction industry. After they are hired and establish themselves over a period of time, full-time Craft team members can apply to the apprenticeship program.
Once accepted, apprentices receive paid on-the-job training and a path to Installer and Technician roles after completing the program. With time and experience, apprentices can go from having zero experience to managing large teams executing the structured cabling work out in the field.
Consistency Fuels Job Stability
As a family-owned company since its inception over 70 years ago, Mortenson has experienced record revenues in recent years and currently has a record pipeline of customers and future projects. In addition to growing its traditional construction business, Mortenson is committed to strategically expanding into at least one new market/service offering per year.
The company’s diverse portfolio means team members can explore opportunities with multiple industry segments and office locations. In addition to data center and sports + entertainment, major industries served by Mortenson’s national businesses include renewable energy (wind, solar, green hydrogen, energy storage), EV & microgrid, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and more.
A Culture That Values Your Expertise
Mortenson’s unique culture is built on collaboration and respect. Leaders engage directly with crews, and ownership is encouraged at every level. People love working at Mortenson because of the positive environment, exciting projects, and clear paths for advancement. In fact, it’s not uncommon to work with a teammate who has been with the company for 20+ years, with no plans to leave until they retire.
“I’ve got 30 years of telecommunications experience, and this has been a great experience,” said Joe Torres, Structured Cabling Project Manager at Mortenson. “I really like the team, and our senior leaders have been on site several times…I’ve even met David Mortenson! When I told him I was with the Structured Cabling group, he lit up and said he was so excited about the future of our group. It just shows that everyone is invested from the top down.”
Opportunities to Lead and Mentor
While telecom experience provides a head start in understanding structured cabling installation and network connectivity fundamentals, it also creates opportunities to advance into leadership roles at Mortenson.
“These professionals have the understanding to bring thought leadership capability for our teams who are executing the work,” said Pakonen. “At Mortenson, we value professionals who can guide others and we can take that expertise to the next level. We have our traditional project management track with growth opportunities all the way up to operations leadership roles.”
Ready to Take Your Career Further?
If you’re passionate about technology and ready to make an impact, the Structured Cabling group at Mortenson is the place for you.
Whether you’re an experienced low-voltage or security technician, a seasoned project manager or someone who wants to work hard and start a new career, this is your chance to work on projects at an unprecedented scale – with the resources, culture, and opportunities to help you succeed.
Apply today and be part of something extraordinary.