> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3345595-optical-network-transport-specialist](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3345595-optical-network-transport-specialist). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Optical Network Transport Specialist - **Company:** Firstenergy(nyse: Fe) - **Location:** Akron, OH, United States (Remote available) - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Border Gateway Protocol, Synchronous Optical Networking, Cyber Security, Wavelength-Division Multiplexing, Data Centers, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, Domain Name System (DNS), Subnetting, Multi-protocol Systems, Network Troubleshooting, Mesh Networking, Microsoft Office, Network Planning and Design, Network Monitoring, Routing, Network Service, Network Protocols, TCP/IP, Virtual Local Area Networks, Network Routing, Scripting, Juniper, Information Technology, Cisco - **Published:** September 22, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/22b1dfae-f876-4956-95ee-f1c1edf654e1 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Information Technology, or a related field; equivalent work experience in a network engineering, telecommunications, or operations environment may be considered. * Relevant experience engineering, implementing, operating, or supporting enterprise optical transport, WAN, IP-MPLS, telecommunications, or utility communications networks. * Knowledge of optical transmission principles including wavelengths, attenuation, optical budgets, power levels, span loss, dispersion, fiber impairments, and related troubleshooting methods. * Working knowledge of networking protocols and technologies including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, switching, routing, subnetting, ISIS, BGP, and related WAN concepts. * Proven troubleshooting skills across optical, routed, switched, wireless, and transport network environments. * Ability to coordinate multiple work activities, projects, vendors, field resources, and business stakeholders while meeting scope, schedule, budget, reliability, and safety expectations. * Availability during non-standard hours when project schedules, planned maintenance, on-call responsibilities, or network issues require support. * Strong written, verbal, collaboration, and presentation skills with the ability to explain technical information to management, peers, field personnel, vendors, and internal customers. * Commitment to safety programs, policy guidelines, compliance expectations, customer service, accurate documentation, and continuous learning., * Experience with DWDM, SONET, MPLS, microwave, RF backhaul, Nokia optical platforms, Nokia NSP, Cisco optical platforms, or similar transport technologies. * Familiarity with electric utility infrastructure, substations, distribution networks, transmission facilities, control centers, and operational technology environments. * Experience with enterprise network management, monitoring, alarming, configuration, asset management, or performance management applications. * Understanding of NERC CIP, cyber security, physical security, regulatory compliance, change control, and documentation requirements for mission-critical infrastructure. * Nokia Network Routing, Nokia Optical, Nokia NSP, Cisco, Juniper, Network+, CCNA, CCNP, or comparable industry certifications. * Experience with scripting, automation, network standardization, lifecycle management, business case development, or strategic network modernization initiatives. ## Description The Optical Network Transport Specialist is responsible for delivering and sustaining the high-capacity optical transport infrastructure that supports critical utility operations. This position is focused on the engineering, implementation, operation, and reliability of DWDM and OTN transport systems, along with related SONET, MPLS, and fiber-based communications platforms that connect substations, control centers, data centers, service centers, field locations, and other essential enterprise facilities. The successful candidate will help sustain and modernize optical transport systems that support operational reliability, grid visibility, enterprise connectivity, and secure communications. This role requires strong technical judgment, troubleshooting discipline, documentation accuracy, collaboration across multiple technical teams, and a commitment to safety, compliance, customer service, and continuous improvement., * Design, engineer, configure, implement, test, and support optical transport systems that provide resilient communications for substations, control centers, data centers, service centers, and field operational locations. * Support DWDM, OTN, SONET, MPLS, AMI, microwave, and related transport technologies used to deliver reliable enterprise and operational communications. * Perform optical capacity planning, wavelength assignment, circuit provisioning, protection planning, service turn-up, network expansion, and lifecycle sustainment activities. * Analyze optical performance metrics including receive and transmit power levels, span loss, optical signal-to-noise ratio, dispersion, attenuation, amplifier gain, fiber impairments, and related alarm conditions. * Troubleshoot optical transport service degradations and outages using network management systems, performance data, circuit records, fiber route information, OTDR results, optical power measurements, vendor tools, and field technician feedback. * Coordinate planned maintenance, equipment replacement, fiber cutover, circuit migration, software upgrade, and service restoration activities while identifying customer impact, outage risk, rollback steps, and stakeholder communication needs. * Develop and maintain accurate network documentation including circuit layouts, fiber assignments, port mappings, wavelength records, logical service paths, standard configurations, alarming references, and operational procedures. * Partner with Fiber Engineering, Field Communications, Data-LAN, Communication Engineering, Operations Technology, field technicians, vendors, and support contractors to deliver integrated end-to-end transport solutions. * Support compliance, cyber security, physical security, asset management, change management, licensing, regulatory, and safety expectations associated with utility communications infrastructure. * Provide subject matter expertise during incident response, root cause analysis, project planning, design reviews, vendor engagements, peer training, and leadership briefings related to optical transport reliability and resiliency., * Participate in a rotating on-call support model to troubleshoot and restore network services during service-impacting events. * Support on-site work or meetings in field, office, substation, control center, data center, and remote environments as needed. * Coordinate with internal teams, external vendors, contractors, and operational stakeholders during project delivery, maintenance windows, and outage restoration activities. * Maintain a safety-first mindset and follow all applicable work practices, change management requirements, and operational procedures. ## Related Videos - [How Cisco embraced a DevOps culture within its network engineering team](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/99-how-cisco-embraced-a-devops-culture-within-its-network-engineering-team) - [What makes Cybersecurity different for critical infrastructure?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/571-what-makes-cybersecurity-different-for-critical-infrastructure) - [An Applied Introduction to eBPF with Go](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1075-an-applied-introduction-to-ebpf-with-go) - [Unlocking the potential of Digital & IT at Vodafone](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/602-unlocking-the-potential-of-digital-it-at-vodafone) - [Turning Container security up to 11 with Capabilities](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/718-turning-container-security-up-to-11-with-capabilities) - [Computer Vision from the Edge to the Cloud done easy](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/263-computer-vision-from-the-edge-to-the-cloud-done-easy) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Best Companies in the Netherlands: Top 25 Companies in 2023 ](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/193-best-companies-in-the-netherlands-top-25-companies-in-2023) - [A Guide to Green Tech and Green IT Careers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/374-a-guide-to-green-tech-and-green-it-careers) - [6 Emerging Technologies We’ll Learn About in 2025](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/381-6-emerging-technologies-we-ll-learn-about-in-2025) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Basic And Advanced Networking in Dart and Flutter](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/112-basic-and-advanced-networking-in-dart-and-flutter)