Outside Plant Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Design and strategize external plant facilities for copper and fiber infrastructure (aerial, buried, conduit).

• Prepare and assess engineering drawings, loop loss calculations, and designs for switch serving areas.

• Execute field measurements for poles, conduits, and buried facilities to support network design.

• Create project budgets, track actual expenses, and perform job inspections to ensure quality assurance.

• Compile, organize, and submit permit packages to pertinent agencies (Township, County, State, DNR, Railroad, Pipeline, etc.).

• Verify that designs adhere to permitting regulations and engineering standards.

• Engage with municipal and government officials to coordinate around road projects (travel required; mileage reimbursed).

• Collaborate with other utilities to manage relocations, minimize conflicts, and avoid project delays.

• Provide support for service orders, subdivision expansions, road relocations, dark fiber MDUs, and more.

• Update FROGS (CAD), Varasset, and SiteTracker tools as necessary.

• Coordinate with SSP contractors to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

• Assist with make-ready work and joint-use coordination for Frontier-owned poles.

• Perform site surveys, assist with PUC complaint investigations, and develop capital projects (e.g., for cell towers or plant repairs).

• Address and resolve plant damage requests (DOR/PDR), cable count modifications, and other network service requirements.

• Maintain records, update engineering files, and process departmental documentation.

• Draft and compose correspondence, reports, and engineering support documents.

⛳️ Requirements

• 3–5+ years of practical experience in copper and fiber optic network engineering.

• At least 5 years in network engineering or OSP-related work, encompassing permitting and fiber record management.

• Proficiency in Frontier engineering tools and systems, including FROGS, Varasset, and SiteTracker.

• Strong project management and organizational abilities with the capacity to manage multiple projects concurrently.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with municipal officials, utility companies, contractors, and cross-functional teams.

• Comprehensive understanding of permitting procedures and OSP construction practices.

• Openness to local travel for fieldwork and meetings (mileage reimbursed).

• Must reside within 2 hours of Freeport, IL, to fulfill regional field requirements.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health and life insurance.

• 401k with employer match.

• Paid time off.

• Tuition reimbursement.

• Professional development courses.

• Performance and referral bonuses.

• Production incentives.

• Tool/equipment and fuel stipends.

• Company vehicle.

• Per diem.