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# Optical Network Engineer

- **Company:** ECHOSTAR
- **Location:** Greenwood Village, CO, United States
- **Experience:** Experienced
- **Salary:** $96,250.0 - $137,500.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Border Gateway Protocol, Catalyst (Software), Computer Networks, Wavelength-Division Multiplexing, Inventory Management Software, Multi-protocol Systems, Python (Programming Language), Network Configuration and Change Management, Routing, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Performance Tuning, Virtual Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, Delivery Pipeline, Information Technology, Cisco Switches, Ansible Tower, Cisco
- **Published:** October 14, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.oriontalent.com/search-jobs/career/11675427/optical-network-engineer-colorado-co-greenwood-village

## About the Role

* Deep practical knowledge of DWDM/CWDM architectures, optical amplification (EDFA/RAMAN), link engineering, and the Cisco ONS platform (including NCS 1000 and ONS 15454 series)
 * Proven track record implementing Routed Optical Networks, utilizing high-density coherent optics (ZR/ZR+) directly integrated into core routing platforms
 * Advanced expertise in Cisco service provider and enterprise routing platforms (such as Cisco 8700, ASR 9000, or Catalyst 9000 series) and segment routing or MPLS protocols
 * Comprehensive proficiency in designing and supporting MPLS, WAN, SD-WAN, and complex LAN/VLAN architectures
 * Direct experience designing, turning up, and troubleshooting regional dark fiber topology, specifically focusing on Zayo dark fiber ring architectures, OTDR testing, and optical power budgets
 * Familiarity with network configuration automation tools (such as Ansible Tower, Python, or Cisco Catalyst Center) alongside AI application skills to streamline deployment workflows and improve network performance, * Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical/Telecommunications Engineering, or a related field
 * Minimum Experience: 5 years of experience in Network Engineering, with a strong focus on backbone transport or service provider infrastructure
 * Required Technical Skills: Must have at least 3 years of experience with:

 * Cisco ONS or Cisco NCS optical transport platforms
 * Core routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, ISIS) and MPLS/Segment Routing
 * Designing or maintaining long-haul/metro dark fiber systems (e.g., Zayo rings)

Telecom circuit lifecycle management and inventory tools (e.g., Calero)

## Description

Candidates must be willing to participate in at least one in-person interview.

This role drives the architecture, implementation, and optimization of core transport and routed optical network infrastructure. The candidate will address challenges related to network capacity, high-availability optical ring reliability, and complex routing integration across enterprise environments. Success involves maintaining operational uptime, validating spend and circuit lifecycles, and modernizing transport workflows using automation and artificial intelligence.

What Success Looks Like (Objectives):

 * Take ownership of the reliability and capacity of the regional Zayo dark fiber rings and core routed optical network (RON) infrastructure within the first 90 days
 * Supply advanced technical direction and leadership to junior members of the transport and data networking teams to elevate the collective technical standard
 * Collaborate with various stakeholders to gather requirements and design scalable transport and routing solutions that translate business capacity needs into resilient specifications
 * Drive hands-on implementation and ongoing maintenance for network transport projects, utilizing lab environments to prove out DWDM and routing designs according to rigorous validation plans
 * Conduct advanced enterprise-level performance tuning on optical transponders, amplifiers, and coherent routing interfaces to meet or exceed operational uptime goals; leveraging AI tools to analyze telemetry and proactively optimize network efficiency