Optical Network Engineer

EchoStar•Centennial, CO

27d•Onsite

About The Position

This role drives the architecture, implementation, and optimization of core transport and routed optical network infrastructure. The candidate will address challenges related to network capacity, high-availability optical ring reliability, and complex routing integration across enterprise environments. Success involves maintaining operational uptime, validating spend and circuit lifecycles, and modernizing transport workflows using automation and artificial intelligence.

Requirements

Deep practical knowledge of DWDM/CWDM architectures, optical amplification (EDFA/RAMAN), link engineering, and the Cisco ONS platform (including NCS 1000 and ONS 15454 series)
Proven track record implementing Routed Optical Networks, utilizing high-density coherent optics (ZR/ZR+) directly integrated into core routing platforms
Advanced expertise in Cisco service provider and enterprise routing platforms (such as Cisco 8700, ASR 9000, or Catalyst 9000 series) and segment routing or MPLS protocols
Comprehensive proficiency in designing and supporting MPLS, WAN, SD-WAN, and complex LAN/VLAN architectures
Direct experience designing, turning up, and troubleshooting regional dark fiber topology, specifically focusing on Zayo dark fiber ring architectures, OTDR testing, and optical power budgets
Familiarity with network configuration automation tools (such as Ansible Tower, Python, or Cisco Catalyst Center) alongside AI application skills to streamline deployment workflows and improve network performance
Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical/Telecommunications Engineering, or a related field
Minimum Experience: 5 years of experience in Network Engineering, with a strong focus on backbone transport or service provider infrastructure
Must have at least 3 years of experience with: Cisco ONS or Cisco NCS optical transport platforms
Must have at least 3 years of experience with: Core routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, ISIS) and MPLS/Segment Routing
Must have at least 3 years of experience with: Designing or maintaining long-haul/metro dark fiber systems (e.g., Zayo rings)
Must have at least 3 years of experience with: Telecom circuit lifecycle management and inventory tools (e.g., Calero)

Responsibilities

Take ownership of the reliability and capacity of the regional Zayo dark fiber rings and core routed optical network (RON) infrastructure within the first 90 days
Supply advanced technical direction and leadership to junior members of the transport and data networking teams to elevate the collective technical standard
Collaborate with various stakeholders to gather requirements and design scalable transport and routing solutions that translate business capacity needs into resilient specifications
Drive hands-on implementation and ongoing maintenance for network transport projects, utilizing lab environments to prove out DWDM and routing designs according to rigorous validation plans
Conduct advanced enterprise-level performance tuning on optical transponders, amplifiers, and coherent routing interfaces to meet or exceed operational uptime goals; leveraging AI tools to analyze telemetry and proactively optimize network efficiency