Senior Network Engineer – Optical

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

📋 Description

• Design and strategize optical links, which encompass wavelength and route planning, optical power and loss budgets, OSNR analysis, management of chromatic dispersion and PMD, as well as the placement of EDFA/Raman amplifiers.

• Create ROADM-based DWDM topologies and determine specifications for coherent transponders and muxponders intended for 100G/400G wavelength services.

• Take ownership of the end-to-end design of DWDM and optical transport solutions in collaboration with network architecture.

• Establish technical standards and reference designs that guide the implementation process.

• Deliver wavelength services to the core IP network, ensuring alignment with IP architecture and redundancy objectives.

• Develop comprehensive equipment installation specifications and detailed drawings.

• Standardize implementation methodologies and procedures.

• Collaborate with systems engineering to automate provisioning and turn-up processes.

• Offer technical guidance and mentorship at the optical layer; lead design and peer review sessions.

• Formulate multi-year optical capacity and technology roadmaps, facilitating the migration from legacy SONET/TDM to OTN and coherent transport.

• Direct vendor and technology assessments, manage RFI/RFP processes, conduct lab testing, proof-of-concept evaluations, and ensure platform standardization.

• Commission and activate optical systems utilizing OTDRs, optical spectrum analyzers, and optical power meters.

• Confirm span loss, OSNR, and channel power prior to service activation.

• Identify and rectify optical-layer faults across multi-vendor network segments.

• Supervise the installation of DWDM and IP network layers.

• Coordinate with third-party fiber providers to facilitate DWDM system activation.

• Provision DWDM wavelengths for both customer needs and internal core-network capacity.

• Allocate DWDM wavelengths and muxes for OC-192 circuits directed to the TDM team.

• Connect DC power to DWDM equipment and/or routers.

• Ensure that new IP POPs are accessible following DWDM deployment.

• Collaborate with core network engineering to provision capacity that supports a congestion-free, fully protected IP network.

• Transfer deployed equipment and customer services to Network Operations.

• Maintain precise site records.

• Generate quote requests, purchase requests, and RFPs.

• Attend management, internal department, and vendor meetings; engage in inter-departmental planning.

• Travel to job and project sites as required.

• Participate in the on-call rotation for DWDM outages.

• Execute additional duties as necessary to support the business and its evolving needs.

⛳️ Requirements

• High school diploma or GED is required.

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in network engineering, with at least three (3) years focused on DWDM and optical transport.

• Comprehensive knowledge of IP/MPLS networking, including BGP, IS-IS or OSPF, and MPLS within a packet-optical or converged core setting.

• Practical understanding of DWDM/ROADM, OTN (G.709), SONET/SDH, and coherent 100G/400G wavelength services.

• Familiarity with optical fundamentals such as single-mode vs. multi-mode fiber, optical power/loss budgets, OSNR, chromatic dispersion, PMD, and optical amplification (EDFA/Raman).

• Hands-on experience with at least one major optical transport platform, like Ciena, Nokia, Infinera, or Cisco NCS, and the ability to work across multiple vendor platforms.

• Proficient with optical test equipment including OTDRs, optical spectrum analyzers, and optical power meters.

• Strong background in telecommunications design, installation practices, and principles.

• Experience in provisioning or commissioning telecommunications network elements such as routers, switches, DSLAMs, PON, TDM, VoIP, and DWDM.

• Familiarity with equipment asset and circuit inventory systems.

• Proficient in reading and interpreting technical documents, including vendor deployment guidelines, white papers, and configuration manuals.

• Capability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and on-call as necessary.

• Ability to drive on behalf of the company safely and responsibly.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and a satisfactory driving record.

• Completion of a pre-employment drug screening is required.

• A Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, telecommunications, computer science, information technology, or a related technical field is preferred.

• Scripting and automation experience, such as Python on Linux, and certifications like Cisco CCNP, Juniper JNCIP, or a vendor optical certification are preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Visio) and telephone systems is needed.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical coverage.

• Dental coverage.

• Vision coverage.

• 401k plan.

• Flexible spending account.

• Paid sick leave.

• Paid time off.

• Parental leave.

• Quarterly performance bonus.

• Training opportunities.

• Career growth and education reimbursement programs.