Manager, PON Engineering

Job Description:

At Sparklight/Cableone and our family of brands, we keep our customers and associates connected to what matters most. For our associates, that means: a thriving and rewarding career, respect for the communities where they live and work, a focus on health and wellness, an excellent work/life balance, and an open and inclusive workplace.  

 We are open to hiring remote if we find the right talent in any of the following states: AL, AR, AZ,  FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NM, NV, OR, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT.  

Overview
The Manager, PON Engineering leads a team responsible for the planning, design, and engineering of the company’s PON access network. This includes architecture development, vendor integration, standards enforcement, and cross-functional coordination with Product, Automation, and Operations teams to ensure designs are executable, documented, and aligned with business priorities. The role combines hands-on technical understanding with the ability to inspire and guide a high-performing engineering team through transformational initiatives and day-to-day operations.
 

What you will do to contribute to the company's success 

• Lead and mentor a team of PON Engineers responsible for network design, documentation, and standards development for GPON, XGS-PON, and future 25G/50G PON deployments.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of design packages, engineering standards, and runbooks to ensure consistency and quality across the organization.
• Partner with cross-functional Engineering, Automation, Operations, and other organizational teams to deliver PON services, develop strategic roadmaps, and remove roadblocks for smooth execution of PON initiatives.
• Collaborate with Product Management and Business teams to align PON growth strategies with residential, commercial, and enterprise service objectives.
• Evaluate and integrate new technologies, vendors, and architectures to improve scalability, reliability, and performance of the access network.
• Support budget planning, capital forecasting, and vendor engagement for PON-related initiatives.
• Track and report on team KPIs related to capacity, build readiness, implementation velocity, and service activation success rates.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of experience in network engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior technical role.
• Hands-on experience with GPON and XGS-PON architectures, OLT/ONT technologies, optical design principles, and vendor ecosystems (e.g., Calix, Nokia, Adtran).
• Familiarity with Ethernet, IP, and transport technologies and how they integrate with access networks.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop technical teams, driving clarity and performance in a complex environment.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with proven success leading cross-functional projects.
• Experience with ServiceNow, NetBrain, or similar workflow/documentation tools preferred.
• Understanding of field operations, network implementation processes, and construction workflows is a plus.

Core Competencies  

• Committed: Values each customer, while working hard to keep their business and support our communities.  
• Helpful: Delivers support in the ways that are most useful to our customers and addresses their needs with expertise, respect, and empathy.  
• Proactive: Understand what our customers need, and actively works to make their relationship with use seamless, easy, and rewarding.  
• Personal: Knows our customers well, and tailors our communications and interactions to address their needs and expectations.  

Benefits 

Cable One and our family of brands appreciates the role our associates play to help the company grow, and in return an excellent benefits package is offered to our associates to recognize the importance of their contributions, such as:  

• Medical, dental, and vision plans – start when you start!  
• Life insurance (self, spouse, children) 

• Paid time off (vacation, holiday, and personal/sick days)  
• 401(k) - 100% company match starts day 1 of employment (up to 5% of eligible compensation) 
• Group Legal plan with Identity Theft Protection 

Additional Perks  

• Tuition reimbursement (up to $5,250 on 1st year)  
• Annual community support to various organizations across the U.S.  
• Associate recognition & awards programs 
• Advancement opportunities  
• Collaborative work environment  

• FREE Cable One services for associates who live in a serviceable area 
• Up to $75/mo. Stipend  
• Remote Access to select premium channels (Cable One, Sparklight, Cable America and ValuNet Fiber Only) 

Our Commitment 

Diversity lies in the communities we serve and among the associates who dedicate themselves to ensure our continued success. Here at Cable One and our family of brands, we believe it is our individual and unique talents, backgrounds and perspectives that, when combined, truly make us an unstoppable force. "Stronger Together" is not just a verbal cue, it is the motto that our associates live by, exemplify, and embody each and every day.  

Cable One and our family of brands is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability. 
 

Pre-hire Processes 

Cable One and our family of brands is committed to keeping our associates and customers safe. Job offers are contingent upon the results of background, drug screening, and reference check. Only after successfully passing these pre-hire clearances are individuals approved for hire and ready to start their successful and rewarding career.  

#CABO