Optical Transport Senior Engineer - Long Haul Wave

Ztek Consulting
Mount Laurel Township, NJ, United States
24 days ago

Role details

Contract type
Temporary contract
Employment type
Full-time (> 32 hours)
Experience level
Expert
Experience required
10 years minimum
Working hours
Regular working hours

Tech stack

Wavelength-Division Multiplexing Machine Learning Network Monitoring Service Design Computer Network Operations Performance Testing Multiplatform

Job description

Wave and Circuit Design Perform end-to-end feasibility studies and path design for backbone wavelength services, including route selection, regeneration requirements, optical amplification, and reach validation. Engineer optical spectrum across the complete path, including wavelength assignment, fixed-grid and flex-grid alignment, and spectrum utilization to maximize backbone efficiency while preserving future capacity. Select the appropriate transponder, muxponder, and line-side hardware based on service rate, reach, and platform requirements. Validate optical performance against engineering standards before implementation and identify any constraints requiring hardware additions or path modifications. Document the complete service design, including intermediate sites, equipment, ports, and circuit routing. Multi-Platform Service Provisioning Provision end-to-end wavelength services across a multi-vendor optical network consisting of Nokia and Ciena transport platforms. Configure and turn up services on Nokia optical transport platforms, including the 1830 PSS, PSD, PSI-M family, and related shelf types. Configure and turn up services on Ciena 6500, Waveserver, and RLS platforms, including transponders, CCMD/CMD components, and line-system elements. Manage service transitions between vendor platforms and ensure optical and framing parameters remain consistent across vendor boundaries. Execute provisioning through element and network management systems while maintaining accurate service records, circuit labeling, and implementation documentation. End-to-End Troubleshooting and Customer Turn-Up Perform complete validation of wavelength services before customer handoff, including optical power verification, performance testing, error-free burn-in, and confirmation that service objectives have been achieved across the entire path. Troubleshoot complex issues across multi-vendor optical networks and determine whether faults originate within metro networks, the national backbone, or at vendor boundaries. Diagnose optical impairments including power issues, OSNR, dispersion, span loss, framing errors, timing issues, and service-layer alarms. Coordinate with field operations, network operations, and vendor technical support to resolve issues requiring field dispatch or vendor escalation. Deliver validated, production-ready wavelength services and provide post-installation support for services returning after customer handoff. Operational Execution and Handoff Perform end-to-end service acceptance testing, document validation results, and verify that all customer acceptance criteria have been satisfied before placing services into production. Maintain accurate engineering records, service documentation, turn-up results, circuit labeling, and as-built documentation throughout the delivery lifecycle. Execute work in accordance with approved operational procedures and engineering practices to minimize customer impact while maintaining backbone stability. Continuous Improvement Identify opportunities to automate repetitive design, provisioning, validation, and documentation tasks to improve delivery efficiency and reduce manual effort. Contribute to implementation procedures, methods of procedure (MOPs), and operational documentation that support backbone wavelength delivery. Mandatory skills: Nokia Optical platforms - Nokia 1830 PSS, PSD, PSI-M; Experience in optical transport technologies such as DWDM, ROADM architectures; Ciena 6500, Waveserver, and RLS optical ABOUT Ztek: Website: Ztek Consulting Inc is a minority- and woman-owned business enterprise that leverages a unique blend of human talent, machine learning algorithms, and artificial intelligence to provide customized talent management solutions for clients. Ztek’s diversity-focused hiring models have proven successful, particularly in hiring veterans. The company’s veteran-focused hiring and deployment program, Z-V.E.T, matches skilled veterans with clients’ needs in various areas. Disclaimer: Ztek is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits any kind of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Ztek is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national origin, citizenship, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by the statutes, rules, and regulations in the locations where it operates. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please contact us at hrd@ztekinc.com Please indicate the specifics of the assistance needed. Ztek encourages all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities. Ztek does not discriminate against applicants based on citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin, in accordance with 8 U.S.C. 1324b.

Requirements

10+ years of hands-on experience engineering, provisioning, or supporting DWDM and optical transport networks in a carrier or large-scale service provider environment. Strong understanding of optical transport technologies, including DWDM, ROADM architectures, wavelength planning, optical amplification, regeneration, OSNR, dispersion, and optical power budgets. Hands-on experience provisioning and troubleshooting services on optical transport equipment from at least one major vendor, with the ability to work across multiple vendor platforms. Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot end-to-end circuits across multiple network segments while isolating faults within complex multi-vendor environments. Strong documentation skills and the ability to work directly with customers, operations teams, field personnel, and vendor support organizations throughout the service delivery process. Preferred Qualifications Direct experience with Nokia 1830 PSS, PSD, PSI-M, and related optical transport platforms. Direct experience with Ciena 6500, Waveserver, and RLS optical platforms. Experience supporting long haul or backbone optical transport networks. Familiarity with optical network management and orchestration systems. Experience performing optical service turn-up, customer acceptance testing, and production implementations.

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