Project Engineer

Job Summary

Location: North Dallas, TX (relocation package available for U.S. citizens already residing in the U.S.).

Applicants: U.S. citizens only (visa sponsorship is not available).

Compensation: $110K - $135K base salary + bonus.  

Technology knowledge: Nokia expereince - preferably Nokia GX platform (previously Infinera), or alternatively, the Nokia 1830 OLS platform – specifically the OLS portfolio and not the older 1830 PSS.

Company is seeking an Optical Network Engineer to develop a “build, operate, and transfer” program. This role offers the opportunity to build and operate a new, nationwide DWDM network while defining the processes and procedures that will serve as the foundation for a multi-year network build-out initiative.

In the first phase of the role, you will serve as the company's optical transport implementation lead, developing methods of procedure (MOPs), configuring DWDM networks, and supporting field teams both remotely and on-site. As additional networks enter production, the role will transition to a primarily operational focus—ensuring network reliability through proactive health assessments, lifecycle management, and serving as a subject matter expert for escalations from the Network Operations Center (NOC).

Ongoing network implementation activities will transition to the company's implementation team, based on the processes and procedures established during the initial deployments.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience implementing and operating optical transport networks, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and interfacing directly with customer engineering teams. This role is well suited for energetic, self-motivated engineers who enjoy building new networks while also developing and documenting scalable, repeatable processes.

Phase 1: Network Implementation & Turn-Up (Months 1–12)

Serve as the engineering lead for the company's turnkey, factory-built network deployment process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create MOPs and guides for factory hardware staging, software upgrades, installation best practices, node configuration, and service activation testing


• Develop supporting engineering documentation including card slotting, installation standards, and fiber/cable routing lists and diagrams


• Build and maintain optical transport implementation playbooks, MOP templates, and knowledge base articles to enable repeatable delivery practices


• Develop templates for site-specific installation bills of material (BOMs) and generate installation-specific documentation


• Perform pre-implementation site readiness assessments; coordinate resolution of facility, outside plant fiber, or power issues prior to installation


• Execute DWDM channel commissioning, optical power optimization, and OTN service turn-up in alignment with network design specifications


• Serve as a subject matter expert and technical escalation point for internal teams


• Engage vendor technical support and escalation channels as needed; document issue resolution for knowledge base reuse


• Manage implementation milestones and communicate status, risks, and issues to project managers and customer stakeholders in real time


• Collaborate with network management system engineers to ensure monitoring platform integration occurs in parallel with physical network turn-up


• Conduct structured post-implementation testing and validation and document results


• Partner with NOC teams to onboard newly deployed networks through operational takeover processes


• Train factory technicians and field engineers on hardware, optical technologies, and standardized deployment processes

Phase 2: Network Operations & Managed Services Delivery (Month 12+)

Transition into an ongoing operational role managing optical transport networks delivered during Phase 1, serving as a lead engineer within the company's managed network operations organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform day-2 network management including configuration changes, capacity additions, software upgrades, and optical performance monitoring


• Act as a primary technical point of contact for managed services customers, supporting escalations and periodic service review meetings


• Own SLA adherence for assigned customer networks; monitor KPIs, proactively identify risks, and drive corrective actions


• Partner with the NOC to meet SLA targets; review operational runbooks, serve as escalation support, and contribute to root cause analysis


• Execute proactive lifecycle management activities including planned maintenance, firmware/software upgrades, and hardware refresh planning


• Identify and communicate network optimization opportunities, translating operational insights into actionable customer recommendations


• Support onboarding of additional optical transport customers into the managed services practice, leveraging prior implementation experience to accelerate delivery and reduce risk

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in optical network implementation, deployment engineering, or network operations with responsibility for turn-up and/or day-2 support


• 2+ years of direct, hands-on experience with a carrier-grade optical transport platform; vendor or customer field deployment experience preferred


• Deep understanding of DWDM optical networking, including amplifier configurations, optical power budgeting, and wavelength commissioning


• Strong OTN knowledge including framing, mapping, multiplexing, and end-to-end service provisioning


• Demonstrated experience authoring and executing complex MOPs and cutover plans in live or newly activated network environments


• Experience integrating optical transport networks with centralized network management and monitoring platforms


• Proven ability to manage customer relationships and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders


• Willingness and ability to travel to customer sites and vendor facilities as required, particularly during Phase 1

Preferred Qualifications

• Vendor-specific training or certification on optical transport platforms


• Experience with additional optical transport systems from multiple manufacturers


• Exposure to network automation tools (e.g., scripting, configuration management, or orchestration frameworks) for provisioning or operational tasks

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce clear technical documentation and professional customer-facing communications


• Detail-oriented, process-driven, and disciplined in improving structured procedures


• Self-directed with the ability to work independently in both field environments and distributed operations teams


• Collaborative team player with experience working across engineering, NOC, project management, and customer success functions


• Strong customer-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes and long-term trust

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience