Permitting & OSP Engineering Manager (2268)

Permitting & OSP Engineering Manager

About the Role

The Permitting & OSP Engineering Manager is responsible for overseeing outside plant (OSP) engineering design, permitting, and project coordination for fiber optic network deployments. This role manages the development of cost-effective fiber network designs, ensures permit packages and engineering deliverables meet applicable requirements, and coordinates with internal teams, external vendors, and permitting authorities to support successful project execution. The position provides oversight of engineering standards, design quality, permitting processes, and project timelines while ensuring compliance with industry standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

· Oversee the development and review of fiber optic network designs using field data, customer specifications, and existing network infrastructure to determine cost-effective and efficient routes.

· Lead engineering scope reviews to ensure project requirements, design expectations, and deliverables are clearly understood.

· Oversee the preparation and management of permit drawings and application packages, including Right-of-Way, aerial make-ready, Traffic Control Plans, and City, County, Railway, DOT, and MOT permits.

· Ensure permit packages and engineering designs meet applicable permitting authority requirements, customer specifications, and industry standards.

· Review highway and road plans, utility maps, as-builts, parcel and plat information, and field data to identify potential conflicts and design constraints.

· Oversee underground bore profile drawings, aerial pole data tables, construction-level drawings, and detailed Bills of Materials.

· Coordinate site visits and field assessments to gather necessary design information, photographs, and sketches to support accurate and cost-effective network designs.

· Identify and address design obstacles, including culverts, waterways, easements, aerial trespass, and conflicts with existing utilities or infrastructure.

· Manage relationships and coordinate deliverables with permitting authorities, vendors, and external partners to ensure timely permit approvals.

· Collaborate with internal GIS, CAD, Engineering, Project Management, and Construction teams to coordinate project schedules, resources, forecasting, and deliverables.

· Review engineering and permitting deliverables for accuracy, completeness, and quality while identifying project risks, issues, and recommended solutions.

· Provide oversight of project scope changes, change orders, and coordination of project billing and closeout activities.

· Ensure the integrity of the customer access network is maintained and provide engineering support for the deployment of fiber optic access technologies.

· Oversee the completion and delivery of as-built packages and support final project and billing closeout.

· Establish and maintain engineering and permitting processes, standards, and procedures while adapting to evolving industry and regulatory requirements.

· Provide leadership, guidance, and support to engineering and permitting personnel to promote quality, accountability, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

· Extensive experience in outside plant (OSP) and inside plant (ISP) engineering, preferably involving fiber optic network design and deployment.

· Strong knowledge of fiber optic counts, fiber assignments, splicing schematics, and high-density fiber environments.

· Experience managing telecommunications permitting processes, including Right-of-Way, DOT, railway, aerial make-ready, and underground construction permits.

· Strong understanding of telecommunications engineering principles, industry practices, and applicable NESC, NEC, and OSHA standards.

· Ability to interpret highway and road plans, utility maps, construction drawings, as-builts, parcel information, and engineering specifications.

· Experience with engineering and design tools such as AutoCAD, OCalc, EZLoad, iBwave, 3-GIS, or similar GIS/KMZ platforms.

· Proficient in Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), Google Sheets, and Google Drive.

· Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with team members, vendors, permitting authorities, and executive leadership.

· Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

· Strong attention to detail and commitment to engineering quality, regulatory