Permitting & OSP Engineering Manager

Ripple Fiber•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

The Permitting & OSP Engineering Manager oversees outside plant (OSP) engineering design, permitting, and project coordination for fiber optic network deployments. The role manages cost-effective fiber network designs and ensures permit packages and engineering deliverables meet applicable requirements. It 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. It also provides leadership and support to engineering and permitting personnel.

Requirements

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.
Proficiency 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 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 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 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 design information, photographs, and sketches for 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 support timely permit approvals.
Collaborate with internal GIS, CAD, Engineering, Project Management, and Construction teams on project schedules, resources, forecasting, and deliverables.
Review engineering and permitting deliverables for accuracy, completeness, and quality, and identify project risks, issues, and recommended solutions.
Oversee project scope changes and change orders, and coordinate project billing and closeout activities.
Maintain the integrity of the customer access network and provide engineering support for deployment of fiber optic access technologies.
Oversee completion and delivery of as-built packages and support final project and billing closeout.
Establish and maintain engineering and permitting processes, standards, and procedures, adapting them to evolving industry and regulatory requirements.
Provide leadership, guidance, and support to engineering and permitting personnel to promote quality, accountability, and operational efficiency.