Senior Network Engineer – Optical

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

📋 Description

• Design, develop, and facilitate the expansion of Ziply Fiber's optical transport network.

• Execute optical link engineering tasks, encompassing wavelength and route planning, power and loss budgeting, OSNR analysis, management of chromatic dispersion and PMD, as well as EDFA/Raman amplifier placement.

• Create ROADM-based DWDM architectures and specify coherent transponders and muxponders for 100G/400G wavelength services.

• Take ownership of comprehensive DWDM and optical transport solution designs while establishing technical standards and reference designs.

• Provide wavelength services to the core IP network in accordance with architectural and redundancy objectives.

• Prepare specifications and drawings for equipment installation.

• Standardize implementation methods and procedures, collaborating with systems engineering to automate provisioning and activation.

• Offer optical-layer technical guidance and mentorship; lead design and peer reviews.

• Create multi-year optical capacity and technology roadmaps, including the transition from legacy SONET/TDM to OTN and coherent transport.

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

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

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

• Diagnose and resolve optical-layer issues across multi-vendor network segments.

• Supervise the installation of DWDM and IP network layers, coordinating with third-party fiber providers.

• Provision DWDM wavelengths for both customers and internal core-network capacity, including OC-192/10G circuits for the TDM team.

• Connect DC power to DWDM equipment and/or routers while ensuring that new IP POPs are accessible.

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

• Transition deployed equipment and customer services to Network Operations.

• Maintain precise site records.

• Generate quote requests, purchase requests, and RFPs.

• Attend management, internal departmental, and vendor meetings while participating in inter-departmental planning.

• Travel to job and project sites as necessary.

• Participate in the DWDM outage on-call rotation.

• Perform additional duties as required to support the business and its evolving needs.

⛳️ Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.

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

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

• Familiarity with DWDM/ROADM, OTN (G.709), SONET/SDH, and coherent 100G/400G wavelength services.

• Understanding of optical fundamentals: single-mode vs. multi-mode fiber, optical power/loss budgets, OSNR, chromatic dispersion, PMD, and optical amplification (EDFA/Raman).

• Practical experience with at least one major optical transport platform, such as Ciena, Nokia, Infinera, or Cisco NCS, and the ability to work across various vendor platforms.

• Experience with OTDRs, optical spectrum analyzers, and optical power meters.

• Strong knowledge of telecommunications design, installation practices, and principles.

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

• Experience with equipment asset and circuit inventory management systems.

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

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

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

• Must complete a pre-employment drug screening.

• Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the US for any employer; sponsorship is not available.

• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, telecommunications, computer science, information technology, or a related technical field.

• Preferred: Experience with scripting and automation, such as Python on Linux, and certifications like Cisco CCNP, Juniper JNCIP, or a vendor optical certification.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Visio) and telephone systems.

• Ability to bend, stoop, sit, walk, or stand for extended periods; occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds; and work around telecommunications and DC power equipment.

• Ability to travel to job and project sites and participate in an on-call rotation.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k).

• Flexible spending account.

• Paid sick leave and paid time off.

• Parental leave.

• Quarterly performance bonus.

• Training opportunities.

• Career growth and education reimbursement programs.