OSP Engineer II

Position Summary

Independently plans, designs, documents, estimates, and supports construction of outside plant (OSP) telecommunications infrastructure. Manages routine and moderately complex projects from initial field investigation through design, permitting, construction support, and closeout. Ensures all work comply with company standards, applicable requirements, and project objectives.

Primary focus: Independently deliver engineering projects while serving as a technical resource for operations, construction, and field personnel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and engineer aerial, buried, and underground OSP facilities for transport, distribution, and customer access networks.
• Prepare engineering work orders, construction prints, route plans, splice plans, distribution counts, cut sheets, and cutover documentation.
• Engineer fiber transport and distribution systems, including fiber optic cable, OLTs, splitters, hubs, cabinets, handholes, duct, and associated facilities.
• Perform site surveys and field investigations to determine existing facilities, proposed routes, construction requirements, and potential conflicts.
• Develop project routes, material requirements, labor estimates, and project costs for construction, maintenance, capital planning, grants, and customer projects.
• Maintain accurate and current OSP records, maps, schematics, GIS data, facility information, and as-built documentation using the company's existing mapping, GIS, engineering, and network systems.
• Initiate and track work orders, cable transfers, facility changes, and other engineering-related documentation through completion.
• Review completed construction and field work to verify compliance with engineering plans, work orders, company standards, and applicable RUS, NESC, NEC, OSHA, and other requirements.
• Coordinate easements, rights-of-way, permits, joint-use requirements, and construction activities with contractors, vendors, municipalities, utilities, property owners, and other agencies.
• Engineer building entrance facilities and associated cabling for customer and network locations.
• Document network changes, test results, service activations, and as-built conditions.
• Support troubleshooting and resolution of OSP facility issues and provide engineering assistance to field personnel and other departments.
• Maintain knowledge of fiber optic, GPON/XGS-PON, Ethernet transport, wireless/microwave, DWDM, CPE, and other telecommunications technologies applicable to the company's network.
• Assist with annual capital and expense budgeting and long-range network planning.
• Inspect OSP projects and provide engineering support throughout construction to help ensure projects meet design, cost, schedule, quality, and compliance requirements.
• Work with Network Engineering, Construction, Customer Service, NOC, and Operations to support reliable network operations and timely project completion.
• Provide technical guidance and engineering support to field personnel, contractors, and internal departments, assisting with design, field issues, and construction related decisions.
• Represent the company professionally when working with customers, contractors, vendors, governmental agencies, property owners, and community partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisory personnel.

Qualifications

Required / expected qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, telecommunications, construction management, or a related field, and 2-4 years of relevant experience.
• Strong understanding of OSP engineering, fiber optics, telecommunications construction methods, and applicable industry standards.
• Ability to read, interpret, and produce construction drawings, network maps, splice schematics, site plans, and engineering documents.
• Experience developing project estimates, material requirements, and construction documentation.
• Ability to coordinate project details with internal departments, contractors, vendors, property owners, and governmental agencies.
• Experience with fiber optic networks and associated facilities; knowledge of GPON/XGS-PON, Ethernet transport, DWDM, microwave/wireless backhaul, and CPE is preferred.
• Experience with CAD, ESRI/ArcGIS, Field Maps, Trimble GPS, or comparable systems is preferred.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout company service territories.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to work in office and field environments. Duties may require standing, walking, climbing, stooping, kneeling, working at heights or in confined spaces, and working in varying weather and construction conditions. The employee must be able to read engineering documents, maps, schematics, and computer displays and use standard office, field, and testing equipment. Lifting and carrying requirements should be confirmed by HR based on the actual duties and essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

Work is performed in office and field settings, including remote telecommunications facilities and construction sites. Travel throughout company service territories may be required. The position may involve exposure to outdoor weather, construction activities, energized equipment, and other telecommunications field conditions.

Other Duties

The responsibilities listed describe the general nature and level of work and are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties may be modified as business needs evolve.