Director of Engineering – Construction

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +3 more states.

📋 Description

• Build, recruit, and lead the Engineering and Construction team across Nevada, Oregon, California, and Missouri.

• Directly oversee the Permitting Manager, state Construction Managers, and state Safety Managers.

• Establish unified processes, standards, and reporting mechanisms across all states.

• Develop staffing plans that align with construction timelines and grant milestones; take ownership of recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and succession planning.

• Act as a senior escalation point for issues related to Engineering and Construction.

• Supervise OSP design for both aerial and underground construction projects.

• Ensure compliance with RUS, NESC, state, and Stimulus network design standards.

• Review and approve design packages that are ready for construction.

• Manage the scopes, deliverables, quality assurance/quality control, invoices, and contracts of engineering firms.

• Drive make-ready engineering and pole loading analysis processes.

• Lead the permitting process with state DOTs, counties, municipalities, railroads, federal land agencies, and private easements.

• Confirm that NEPA/EHP reviews, cultural resource surveys, and environmental conditions are resolved before construction begins.

• Oversee applications for pole attachments and manage make-ready timelines.

• Direct mainline and middle-mile construction activities through state Construction Managers and Resident Engineers.

• Select, contract, and manage construction contractors and subcontractors.

• Supervise field inspections, change orders, as-built documentation, and project closeout documentation.

• Resolve conflicts in the field, utility damages, constructability issues, and concerns from landowners.

• Engage in construction acceptance and the transition to operations and NOC.

• Lead safety initiatives covering OSHA regulations, excavation, aerial work, traffic management, and confined spaces.

• Maintain safety programs, training, contractor prequalification, and conduct audits.

• Ensure that incident investigations and root cause analyses are performed.

• Guarantee compliance with BEAD, BABA, prevailing wage, labor standards, and grant milestones.

• Provide construction data for NTIA and state broadband office reporting, reimbursement requests, and audits.

• Develop and oversee budgets; monitor costs per passing and costs per drop.

• Negotiate and manage engineering, construction, and material contracts, as well as Master Service Agreements (MSAs).

• Report on production, schedules, costs, quality, safety, and staffing to the VP of Engineering and Construction.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• At least 12 years of progressive experience in telecom or utility infrastructure construction, with a minimum of 7 years focused on OSP fiber.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience leading multi-level teams, including managers responsible for their own crews or staff.

• Proven track record in delivering large fiber builds simultaneously across multiple jurisdictions.

• Strong knowledge of RUS construction standards, NESC requirements, OSHA 1910.268 and 1926, and OSP construction methods, including aerial, underground, and buried applications.

• Experience with permitting processes involving state DOTs, counties, and utilities, as well as pole attachment and make-ready procedures.

• Demonstrated capability to manage engineering firms and construction contractors under MSAs, unit-price contracts, and change orders.

• Experience with federally funded projects that include compliance and reporting obligations.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management or construction tracking tools.

• A valid driver's license and the ability to travel frequently to project sites, including remote rural areas.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license, PMP, or BICSI OSP Designer credential is preferred.

• Direct experience with BEAD, SLFRF, RDOF, ReConnect, or CPF projects is preferred.

• Familiarity with BABA, prevailing wage, and NEPA/EHP requirements for grant-funded projects is preferred.

• Experience in establishing a new construction organization or division is preferred.

• Knowledge of Quickbase, 3-GIS, IQGeo, or ArcGIS is preferred.

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification or another formal safety credential (CSP, CHST) is preferred.

• Experience working in rural, mountainous, or high-desert terrains and on tribal or federal lands is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage.

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

• Flexible work arrangements and a supportive work environment.

• Generous paid time off and holiday benefits.