GWI Careers

JOB TITLE: Fiber Design Engineer

DEPARTMENT: Network Engineering

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REVISION DATE: 6/6/2024

LOCATION: Biddeford, Maine

GENERAL SUMMARY

We are a company that builds the 21st century infrastructure which communities depend on to conduct their lives and grow their economy. We are a Certified B Corporation and have placed on Maine’s Best Places to Work lists from 2020 through 2023. Our networks are infused with our DNA of network reliability, neutrality, privacy, reliability, and security. These networks are vital for everyone; digital inclusion is a fundamental goal. Every day, we measure our performance not just on profit but on the positive impact our network has on the communities we passionately serve. 

Join our Network Engineering team where you will work on new technologies and find innovative ways to meet our fiber network deployment needs.  The Fiber Design Engineer is a telecommunications engineer who analyzes GIS data to design fiber optic cable systems (middle-mile, PON and AE), working primarily with design software and often interacting with other team members to ensure proper implementation of your designs.  

Your primary responsibilities include network transport design, fiber distribution equipment design, fiber cable design, equipment/material inventory and allocation, developing route maps, generating bill of materials (BOM), producing project cost estimates/budgets, GIS data analysis and POP site plans.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Analysis of potential project areas as defined by the leadership team
2. High Level Design of fiber optic networks
   1. Identify middle-mile providers and generate a cost efficient solution to provide reliable services to project areas.
   2. Identify potential POP locations and design plot plan, structure floor plan, and rack plans for active equipment used to deliver service to new fiber project areas.
   3. Working closely with the transport and access engineering team, generate a viable topology for the Transport/Access Networks using equipment in production.
   4. Define GIS polygons boundaries for Fiber Service Areas with analysis of various attributes.
   5. Written reports of design with output including design methodology, identified easement issues, pole gaps, and other important information related to the analysis and design work.
3. Generate detailed designs of fiber optic networks, using criteria defined previously
   1. Designs are completed using a software GIS system
   2. Splicing designs with expected optical loss per fiber path

1. Equipment and labor estimation 
2. Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for fiber service area builds, interfacing with internal and external customers to communicate schedules, challenges, progress and set appropriate expectations for scope, budget and project delivery.  
3. Work with pole/land owners to obtain attachment licenses, right of ways and easements required to complete the project.
4. Generate detailed installation specifications for installers and issue the design to the field with instructions for the work (Scope of Work).
5. Perform field engineering functions required for QC, audit, closeout or analysis of large scale projects: reviewing OTDR results, visual review and other techniques will be implemented to obtain this signoff, approve invoices after confirming work is completed as designed.   
6. Participate in executive and engineering initiatives, including product development, vendor and equipment evaluation to increase efficiency of deployment and reduce costs.
7. Develop affordable strategies and solutions to serve Multiple Dwelling Units (MDU) and Multiple Tenet Units (MTU) using the lowest cost fiber to the suite technology available. 
8. All network engineers participate in an On-Call rotation. Fiber engineers are responsible for all emergency and trouble responses for outages related to fiber network impairment.  Samples of such incidents include pole hits from automobiles, pole fires, tree related damage, and animal damage.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Minimum 2 year technical degree or equivalent work experience.
3. Maine Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
4. A valid driver’s license is required.
5. Basic telecommunications experience/knowledge.
6. Knowledge of outside plant construction techniques (aerial & underground) required.
7. Working knowledge of NESC, NEC and OSHA standards required.
8. Thorough understanding of fiber optic networks (IE: splitter topology, PON technology, DWDM, etc)

1. Thorough understanding of fiber access and transport networks
2. Basic knowledge of internet routing protocols and IPv4/IPv6 deployment

1. Ability to thrive in a dynamic problem solving environment with strong project management skills.
2. Detail oriented with the ability to multitask in a fast paced environment.
3. Strong interpersonal skills with a high level of integrity .
4. Excellent communication, organizational and administrative skills.
5. A positive attitude and desire to deliver exceptional results for our customers.
6. Ability to speak to customers to set expectations, and ultimately communicate technical information to non-technical audiences.
7. Personal commitment to safety and continual professional development.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Primarily remote office, occasional travel to project sites in VT, ME, NH and MA
2. Occasional travel/work in the outdoors, walking and surveying outside plant facilities.
3. Occasional travel/work at customer locations.
4. Position may require excessive use of telephone, keyboard and monitor to perform regular functions of the job.

To Apply:

Please email your resume to gwi-hr@staff.gwi.net and a member of our team will follow up with you.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.