Sr Lead Network Engineer-Metro Network Dallas, TX & Denver, CO

The Senior Lead Network Engineer is a highly experienced technical leader within the Architecture, Engineering, and Technology Support (AET) organization, responsible for the design, engineering, operational support, optimization, and long-term evolution of the Metro and Transport IP network infrastructure. This role serves as a senior subject matter expert for carrier-grade Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking technologies, advanced routing architectures, Metro Ethernet services, transport networks, and multi-vendor platforms supporting critical telecommunications services.

The Senior Lead Network Engineer provides strategic technical leadership across Architecture, Engineering, Operations, Planning, and vendor organizations to ensure highly available, scalable, secure, and resilient network solutions.

This role requires extensive experience supporting large-scale Metro Ethernet and IP/MPLS environments, deep expertise in routing protocols and traffic engineering, and advanced knowledge of carrier-class platforms from Cisco, Juniper, and Ciena.

The Main Responsibilities

Network Design and Architecture

• Lead collaboration with Network Architecture teams to define, validate, and evolve Metro Ethernet, IP/MPLS, and transport network architectures.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards governing Layer 2 and Layer 3 network design, resiliency, scalability, redundancy, and operational supportability.
• Drive architecture reviews and network modernization initiatives.

Advanced Routing and MPLS Engineering

• Serve as the primary technical authority for BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, MPLS, LDP, RSVP-TE, Segment Routing, and route policy engineering.
• Design, implement, and support large-scale IPv4 and IPv6 routing architectures.
• Lead resolution of complex routing convergence and protocol interoperability issues.

Metro Ethernet Engineering and Support

• Serve as the senior technical authority for Metro Ethernet service delivery and operational support.
• Support E-Line, E-LAN, EVPL, EPL and carrier Ethernet services.
• Troubleshoot complex customer-impacting Metro Ethernet issues across multiple domains.

Technology Evaluation and Validation

• Lead lab validation and certification of hardware, software, routing features and transport services.
• Evaluate Cisco, Juniper and Ciena technologies for deployment.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Provide technical leadership across Architecture, Engineering, Operations, NOC and Planning teams.
• Mentor engineers and drive engineering best practices.

Tier 4 Operational Support

• Serve as the highest level escalation point for outages and service disruptions.
• Lead root cause analysis and preventative action planning.
• Project Leadership
• Lead modernization, migration and infrastructure expansion programs.

• Expert knowledge of Layer 2/3 carrier networking.
• Advanced expertise with BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, MPLS, Segment Routing and EVPN.
• Deep understanding of Metro Ethernet operations and support.
• Hands-on knowledge of Cisco, Juniper and Ciena platforms.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.

Education

• Bachelor degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Information Technology or related discipline preferred.
• CCNP, CCIE, JNCIP, JNCIE or equivalent certifications highly desirable.

Experience

Required Experience:

• 7+ years of service provider or telecommunications network engineering experience.
• Extensive experience designing, implementing and supporting Metro Ethernet and IP/MPLS networks.
• Direct experience supporting carrier-grade Metro Ethernet services in a Tier 3 or Tier 4 engineering role.
• Advanced experience with BGP, OSPF, IS-IS and MPLS technologies.
• Hands-on experience with Cisco, Juniper and Ciena platforms.
• Experience leading major network upgrades, migrations and modernization initiatives.

Preferred Experience

• Segment Routing and EVPN architectures.
• Python, Ansible and network automation platforms.
• Telemetry, assurance and packet-optical transport experience.
• CCIE Service Provider, CCIE Enterprise or JNCIE-SP certifications.

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary by location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors.

Base Salary Range: $132,000 - $198,000 USD

This role is also eligible for an annual bonus.

Forged Fiber also offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.

At Forged Fiber, our mission is bold but simple: deliver fast, reliable, future-proof connectivity that builds the foundation for everything online. As we execute, we believe the right way to do something is the only way. This foundation guides how the company builds, operates, and maintains a state-of-the-art open-access fiber network platform that empowers millions.

Forged Fiber is about more than building a network. It is about people. Every role matters. Every contribution counts. Together, employees create impact through teamwork, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence.