Lead Security Systems Technician – Night Shift

Important Schedule & Travel Requirements

This is a night-shift position.

The typical schedule is four 10-hour shifts per week, approximately 8:30 PM–6:30 AM. Starting either Sunday or Monday night.

This position also requires regular overnight travel. Some projects may be located 3–4 hours away from our Petersburg office, and technicians should expect to stay out of town during the four-day workweek when required.

Travel time is paid, and per diem is provided for qualifying out-of-town work.

Applicants should only apply if they are comfortable working nights and regularly staying out of town during the workweek.

About the Position

Techwise Integrated Security is looking for an experienced Lead Security Systems Technician to lead small installation crews on commercial security, alarm, and low-voltage projects.

This is a hands-on field position. The Lead Technician will typically lead 1–3 other technicians and will be responsible for keeping the crew productive, completing installations correctly, and communicating progress or issues to the Project Manager.

We need someone who understands alarm systems, can troubleshoot problems in the field, and can make sound installation decisions with limited supervision.

The right candidate should be able to look at a system, understand how the devices are intended to operate, identify wiring or installation problems, and determine practical solutions without needing every step explained.

This is a security and alarm systems installation position, not a traditional electrician position.

Alarm System Knowledge Is Required

Candidates should already understand:

• Normally Closed (NC), Normally Open (NO), and Common (C) contacts
• Alarm relays and dry contacts
• End-of-line resistors and supervised circuits
• Addressable input and output modules
• Addressable devices and device addressing
• Data loops / SLC loops
• Proper polarity where applicable
• Troubleshooting opens, shorts, grounds, and other common wiring faults
• Using a multimeter to troubleshoot low-voltage alarm circuits
• How field devices connect back to control equipment

We are not looking for someone who has only pulled cable. The Lead Technician should understand why devices are wired the way they are and how the system is expected to operate.

Scissor Lift & Elevated Work

A significant portion of this position—often approximately 75% of the installation work—is performed from a scissor lift.

Candidates must be comfortable operating and working from a scissor lift for extended periods, performing overhead installation work, and using tools and handling materials while elevated.

What You'll Do

• Lead 1–3 other technicians on commercial installation projects
• Review project drawings, scopes of work, and installation requirements
• Plan daily field activities and assign work to crew members
• Keep the crew productive and moving toward project completion
• Independently troubleshoot installation challenges and unexpected field conditions
• Determine practical solutions when site conditions differ from drawings
• Communicate project progress, material needs, delays, and field issues to the Project Manager via email or required-platforms
• Install and troubleshoot commercial alarm and security systems
• Install CCTV and IP camera systems
• Install burglar/intrusion alarm, fire alarm, and related systems
• Wire and troubleshoot alarm contacts, relays, modules, and field devices
• Install and troubleshoot addressable modules and devices
• Work with addressable data/SLC loops
• Pull, route, terminate, label, and test low-voltage cabling
• Terminate Cat5e/Cat6 cabling using RJ45 connectors
• Punch down Cat5e/Cat6 onto patch panels, keystone jacks, and other head-end equipment
• Test and troubleshoot Ethernet cabling
• Install cameras, alarm devices, panels, and related equipment
• Perform basic conduit, flex, pathway, and cable-support installation
• Read floor plans, construction drawings, and system documentation
• Train and assist less-experienced technicians

Required Experience & Skills

• 2+ years of professional low-voltage, alarm, security-system, or related installation experience
• Strong practical understanding of commercial alarm systems
• Understanding of NC, NO, and C contacts
• Experience with alarm relays and dry contacts
• Understanding of supervised circuits and end-of-line resistors
• Experience with addressable modules and devices
• Understanding of data/SLC loops
• Ability to troubleshoot low-voltage wiring faults using a multimeter
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Ability to lead 1–3 other technicians
• Strong field troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Experience installing CCTV or IP camera systems
• Ability to crimp RJ45 connectors
• Ability to punch down Cat5e/Cat6 cabling
• Ability to test and troubleshoot Ethernet cabling
• Experience reading project drawings and floor plans
• Comfortable spending extended periods working from a scissor lift
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work 8:30 PM–6:30 AM night shifts
• Ability to travel and stay out of town for multiple nights during the workweek
• Ability to pass required background checks
• Willingness to obtain required Virginia DCJS registration if not already registered

Basic Networking Knowledge

Because this position includes significant IP camera installation work, candidates should have a basic understanding of:

• IP addresses and subnet masks
• DHCP and static IP addressing
• PoE switches and PoE-powered devices
• Connecting IP cameras to network switches
• Determining whether a device has network connectivity
• Basic troubleshooting of camera and network connections

You do not need to be a network engineer, but you should be comfortable working with IP-based security equipment.

What We're Looking For

The right person for this role understands both how to install the equipment and how the systems actually work.

We are looking for someone who can troubleshoot alarm circuits, recognize when wiring or device operation does not make sense, make good field decisions without constant supervision, organize a small crew, and know when an issue needs to be escalated to the Project Manager.

This position is intended for an experienced technician who can be trusted to understand the system, solve problems in the field, and keep a project moving.