Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Interests
Timeline
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Robert McDonald Jr

Robert McDonald Jr

Chicago,IL

Summary

Dynamic Sr. Telecom Engineer with a proven track record at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, excelling in telecom infrastructure and unified communications. Recognized for enhancing system reliability and fostering team growth through mentorship. Adept at managing vendor relationships and delivering exceptional customer support, ensuring project success and client satisfaction.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience

Work History

Sr. Telecom Engineer I

Kirkland & Ellis LLP
03.2013 - 08.2025
  • Streamlined project timelines through efficient management of resources, budgeting, and scheduling.
  • Maintained strong relationships with clients, providing regular updates on project progress and promptly addressing any concerns or issues that arose.
  • Contributed to successful new product launches by performing rigorous testing on prototypes and offering insights on potential enhancements.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of new technology platforms into existing networks.
  • Ensured optimal network uptime through proactive monitoring, early detection of potential issues, and rapid response to incidents.
  • Provided training and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the team.
  • Enhanced system reliability for clients through thorough troubleshooting of hardware and software issues.

Remote Field Engineer-Sr. Technicaion

Lucent/AVAYA
03.1997 - 02.2013
  • Monitored construction methods and installations, inspection and testing processes.
  • Delivered high-quality field services, ensuring all projects were completed on time and within budget constraints.
  • Conducted thorough site assessments to identify potential hazards, ensuring a safe working environment for all personnel involved in field operations.
  • Established rapport with clients by maintaining open lines of communication and addressing concerns promptly and professionally.
  • Identified major issues that could arise and provided solutions for these problems.
  • Served as liaison between site engineering team and field to coordinate work in accordance with design and construction documents.
  • Mentored junior engineers, fostering a positive learning environment that promoted professional growth.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions for challenging field problems.
  • Served as a card holding manager when manager would be out of office
  • Was Union Steward for 2 different crews and became Chief Steward for all AVAYA Local 134 Technicians in Cook County

C-Card Electrician Local 134

OPC Communications
05.2024 - 03.2027

-Worked with Journeyman on PBX Installation, Building Cable and Site Cabling projects

-Was a liason between new apprentices and the Journeyman ensuring quality of work and time sheet completion

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Business Management

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL
08-2014

Skills

  • Telecom infrastructure
  • Unified communications
  • Customer support
  • VoIP technologies
  • Team Building
  • Vendor Relationships

Accomplishments

Completed AVAYA 10.2 Upgrade project for Kirkland & Ellis. Moved main Data Center, opened a survivable Data Center, upgraded hardware and software for all 21 offices.

Opened Salt Lake City Office

Moved London, Los Angeles Offices and was part of the team that moved Houston and Chicago

Supported Documentation and Training of Admin and Support Teams for Workplace for iOS and Windows

Worked closely with Help Desk on escalated problems and improving skill sets across all Telecom related questions


Interests

I enjoy watching and coaching basketball, chess and spending time with my Wife, Erin and our four children Robert (24), Maggie (23), Kate (21) and Nora (20)

Timeline

C-Card Electrician Local 134

OPC Communications
05.2024 - 03.2027

Sr. Telecom Engineer I

Kirkland & Ellis LLP
03.2013 - 08.2025

Remote Field Engineer-Sr. Technicaion

Lucent/AVAYA
03.1997 - 02.2013

Bachelor of Arts - Business Management

Benedictine University