Sr Lead Network Engineer

The Senior Lead Network Engineer is an experienced technical leader responsible for ensuring the reliability, scalability, and operational excellence of enterprise network platforms. This role is primarily focused on Element Management System (EMS) testing and Tier 4 Operations Support, serving as the highest escalation point for complex network issues and platform-level incidents., As a senior member of the Architecture, Engineering, and Technology Support team, this role partners closely with network architects, engineers, operations teams, and vendors to validate innovative technologies, ensure operational readiness, and maintain stable production environments. The Senior Lead Network Engineer is expected to provide deep technical expertise, lead troubleshooting efforts during critical events, and influence long-term network strategy through testing feedback and operational insights., EMS Testing

• Lead and execute comprehensive EMS testing across network platforms, including functional, integration, regression, performance, and resilience testing.

• Validate EMS interoperability with network devices, northbound systems, monitoring tools, and automation frameworks.

• Develop, maintain, and enhance EMS test plans, evaluate test cases, and validate criteria aligned with architectural standards and operational requirements.

• Identify defects, gaps, and risks within EMS platforms and partner with engineering, architecture, and vendors to drive resolution.

• Ensure operational readiness of EMS solutions prior to production deployment, including failover scenarios, scalability, and alerting accuracy.

Tier 4 Operational Support

• Serve as the Tier 4 escalation point for complex, high-impact network, and EMS-related incidents.

• Lead deep-dive root cause analysis (RCA) efforts for critical outages, chronic issues, and systemic failures.

• Provide advanced troubleshooting across network hardware, software, EMS platforms, and integrated systems.

• Recommend and implement permanent corrective actions to prevent recurrence of critical incidents.

• Function as a technical authority during major incident calls and post-incident reviews.

Architecture, Engineering, and Technology Support Collaboration

• Partner with Network Architecture to review designs and provide operational and test-readiness feedback.

• Support Engineering teams during solution build and deployment by validating EMS behavior and operational workflows.

• Evaluate innovative technologies, tools, and platforms from an operational, testability, and supportability perspective.

• Influence architectural and engineering decisions by sharing insights gained from EMS testing and Tier 4 operations.

Process Improvement and Leadership

• Establish and improve EMS testing methodologies, standards, and best practices.

• Mentor and guide senior and mid-level engineers in advanced troubleshooting and operational excellence.

• Identify opportunities for automation, monitoring improvements, and proactive fault detection.

• Contribute documentation, runbooks, and operational procedures for complex network environments.

Project Management

• Manage network projects, set priorities, prepare cost/benefit analyses, and use modeling and planning methodologies to develop strategic roadmaps.

What We Look For in a Candidate

Forged Fiber’s culture is built on honesty, respect, trust, transparency, and a growth mindset. We strive to treat people as they want to be treated, and to operate with consistency, integrity, customer obsession, and courage. We’re looking for top tier talent to join Forged Fiber that can help us bring this mindset to our everyday work and deliver meaningful results.

• Expert-level capability in EMS testing, including functional, integration, regression, performance, and resilience validation.

• Proven Tier 4 operations support expertise, serving as the highest escalation point for complex EMS, network, and platform incidents.

• Direct experience deploying, instantiating, and operating EMS platforms in cloud environments, with strong understanding of underlying infrastructure dependencies.

• Advanced troubleshooting skills across cloud-hosted EMS architectures, including availability, scalability, performance, and failure scenarios.

• Strong expertise in northbound API integrations, including RESTful APIs, authentication, data models, and integrations with OSS/BSS, automation, and monitoring systems.

• Ability to validate EMS API behavior, data integrity, and performance under normal and degraded conditions.

• Deep root cause analysis (RCA) skills focused on systemic issue resolution and long-term operational resilience.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in Engineering, Information Systems, or related field desired.

• Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience

Required Experience

· 7+ years in network engineering, architecture, or infrastructure-focused roles.

· Experience supporting large-scale, mission-critical network environments.

· Proven experience providing Tier 4 operational support and leading complex incident resolution.

· Direct experience testing, validating, and supporting EMS or network management platforms.

Preferred Experience

• Experience working within Architecture, Engineering, and Technology Support organizations.

• Experience with automation frameworks, scripting, or APIs related to network management.

• Exposure to vendor engagement, solution validation, and technology evaluations.

• Experience in environments requires high availability, scalability, and operational rigor.

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

Forged Fiber offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing.

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.