Senior Network Engineer - Optical

The Senior Optical Engineer is responsible for designing, engineering, and supporting the continued growth of Ziply Fiber’s optical transport network. This role focuses on ROADM-based DWDM, OTN, and coherent 100G/400G wavelength services, while helping align the optical layer with the IP/MPLS core network. As a senior technical contributor, this position provides optical engineering expertise, technical leadership, and mentorship, while partnering with network architecture and operations to deliver a scalable, reliable, and future-ready transport network. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The Essential Duties and Responsibilities listed below are a range of duties performed by the employee and not intended to reflect all duties performed. Design & Planning · Perform optical link engineering - wavelength and route planning, optical power and loss budgets, OSNR analysis, chromatic dispersion and PMD management, and EDFA/Raman amplifier placement. · Design ROADM-based DWDM topologies (fixed and flex-grid) and specify coherent transponders and muxponders for 100G/400G wavelength services. · Own the end-to-end design of DWDM and optical transport solutions, developed in partnership with network architecture, and define the technical standards and reference designs that guide implementation. · Deliver wavelength services to the core IP network in a way that complements the architecture and redundancy goals for IP services. · Plan and prepare detailed equipment installation specifications and drawings. · Streamline and standardize implementation methods and procedures to support scale. · Partner with systems engineering to automate network provisioning and turn-up tasks wherever possible. Technical Leadership & Strategy · Serve as the optical-layer subject-matter expert, providing technical guidance and mentorship to engineers and leading design and peer reviews. · Develop multi-year optical capacity and technology roadmaps, including migration planning from legacy SONET/TDM toward OTN and coherent transport. · Lead vendor and technology evaluation and selection, including RFI/RFP processes, lab and proof-of-concept testing, and standardization of platforms and methods. Deployment & Turn-up · Commission and turn up optical systems using OTDRs, optical spectrum analyzers, and optical power meters; validate span loss, OSNR, and channel power before service activation. · Isolate and resolve optical-layer faults end-to-end across multi-vendor network segments. · Participate in the oversight and installation of DWDM and IP network layers. · Coordinate with third-party fiber providers as needed to successfully turn up DWDM systems. · Provision DWDM wavelengths for customers and for internal core-network capacity. · Provision DWDM wavelengths and associated muxes to deliver OC-192 circuits to the TDM team. The DWDM team’s minimum circuit size is OC-192/10G; smaller circuits are handled by the TDM team. · Connect DC power to DWDM equipment and/or routers. · Ensure new IP POPs are accessible once the DWDM network is in place. Capacity, Coordination & Support · Work with the core network engineering team to ensure capacity is provisioned for a congestion-free, fully protected IP network. · Support the core IP network with the implementation of DWDM wavelengths as needed for capacity. · Hand off newly deployed equipment and customer services to Network Operations for ongoing surveillance and management. · Keep all site records accurate and up to date. · Generate quote requests, purchase requests, and RFPs. · Attend meetings with management, internal departments, and vendors, and participate in inter-departmental planning to coordinate project activities and meet company objectives. · Travel to job and project sites as required. · Participate in the on-call rotation for DWDM outages. Other Duties · Performs other duties as required to support the business and evolving organization.

· High school diploma or GED. · Minimum of five (5) years of network engineering experience, including at least three (3) years in DWDM and optical transport. · Strong IP/MPLS networking knowledge - including BGP, IS-IS or OSPF, and MPLS - in a packet-optical or converged core environment. · Working knowledge of 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). · Hands-on experience with at least one major optical transport platform (e.g., Ciena, Nokia, Infinera, or Cisco NCS), with the ability to work across multiple vendor platforms. · Experience with optical test equipment such as OTDRs, optical spectrum analyzers, and optical power meters. · Strong knowledge of telecommunications design, installation practices, and principles. · Experience provisioning or commissioning telecommunications network elements such as routers, switches, DSLAMs, PON, TDM, VoIP, and DWDM. · Experience with equipment asset and circuit inventory systems. · Proficiency reading and interpreting technical documents such as vendor deployment guidelines, white papers, and configuration manuals. · Excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills. · Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and on-call as needed. · Ability to drive on behalf of the company in a safe and responsible manner. · Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and a satisfactory driving record. · Must complete a pre-employment drug screening. Preferred Qualifications: · Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, telecommunications, computer science, information technology, or a related technical field. · Scripting and automation experience (e.g., Python on Linux) and certifications such as Cisco CCNP, Juniper JNCIP, or a vendor optical certification. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: · Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize. · Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization and to interact with customers and vendors in a courteous, professional manner. · Ability to provide excellent customer service. · Proficiency with standard office software, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Visio), and telephone systems. <

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, flexible spending account, paid sick leave and paid time off, parental leave, quarterly performance bonus, training, career growth and education reimbursement programs. Ziply Fiber is a local internet service provider dedicated to elevating the connected lives of the communities we serve. We offer the fastest home internet in the nation, a refreshingly great customer experience, and affordable plans that put customers in charge. As our state-of-the-art fiber network expands, so does our need for team members who can help us grow and realize our goals. Our Company Values:

• Genuinely Caring: We treat customers and colleagues like neighbors, with empathy and full attention.

• Empowering You: We help customers choose what is best for them, and we support employees in implementing new ideas and solutions.

• Innovation and Improvement: We constantly seek ways to improve how we serve customers and each other.

• Earning Your Trust: We build trust through clear, honest, human communication.