Senior Engineer – Broadband Infrastructure

Native Network•Wenatchee, WA

86d•$90,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Native Network is seeking a Senior Broadband Infrastructure Engineer to support telecommunications and broadband projects serving Tribal Nations, rural communities, and public-sector organizations. The engineer will lead network design, drive technical strategy, and deliver complex telecommunications projects from feasibility through construction closeout. Success in this position requires more than technical expertise alone. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and the ability to apply engineering principles across a broad range of technical, operational, regulatory, and customer-focused challenges. The Senior Engineer serves as both a technical leader and consultant, working closely with project managers, Tribal partners, contractors, and leadership to develop practical solutions that support successful project delivery and long-term community impact. At Native Network, engineers do more than create designs. Successful engineers seek to understand the full problem before recommending solutions, apply engineering thinking across multiple disciplines and technologies, communicate complex concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, produce professional documentation that requires minimal revision, balance confidence with humility and actively seek clarification when needed, learn unfamiliar technologies, regulations, and customer environments quickly, and contribute to business, regulatory, compliance, and project delivery discussions, not just engineering design. A well-rounded engineer with experience across multiple network technologies — fiber, wireless, routing/switching, and infrastructure — who can quickly learn and adapt in a dynamic project environment. This role calls for hands-on engineering balanced with system-level thinking and practical field awareness, comfort developing designs, solving real-world deployment challenges, and presenting technical concepts to non-technical customers, and the ability to ramp quickly, contribute across multiple concurrent projects, and serve as a technical multiplier for the broader engineering team. Equally important: experience in fiber optic network design (OSP/ISP) and regulatory compliance for federally funded tribal broadband initiatives, with a proven track record of delivering projects on time, within budget, and in compliance with NTIA, USDA, FCC, and tribal requirements. This work is critical to advancing connectivity for Native American Tribes — helping reduce costs, generate revenue, and support economic growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering (Electrical, Telecommunications, Mechanical, Civil or related; ABET-accredited preferred)
7+ years of progressive engineering experience, with strong hands-on experience in outside plant (OSP) fiber optic network design (aerial, buried, and underground construction methods) preferred
Equivalent combinations of technical experience, engineering responsibility, education and demonstrated analytical ability will be considered.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information to non-technical audiences.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Visio, SharePoint, and common project management tools.
Consistent demonstration of the ability to build credibility through competence, reliability, and sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in ArcGIS and AutoCAD for fiber network design, mapping, spatial analysis, and engineering documentation.
Advanced education or industry certifications (Master's degree, PE, EIT/FE, CCNA/CCNP, CFHP, PMP, or similar).
Experience working with federally funded broadband programs (NTIA, USDA, BEAD, ReConnect, FCC), including related regulatory/environmental processes (NEPA, NHPA Section 106, tribal review) and designing middle-mile/last-mile fiber networks for rural, tribal, or underserved communities.
Working knowledge of, or willingness to learn, Native American tribal governance structures, tribal sovereignty, and cultural protocols.
Experience with OTDR testing, fiber characterization, and acceptance testing procedures.
Familiarity with Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or equivalent project tracking platforms.
Experience working in a professional services consulting organization or capacity.

Responsibilities

Develop and review broadband infrastructure designs and technical solutions.
Support feasibility analysis, technology selection, network planning, and design reviews.
Solve complex technical and deployment challenges across fiber, wireless, and hybrid environments.
Lead end-to-end network design for middle-mile and last-mile fiber optic broadband projects, including route planning, capacity analysis, and technology selection.
Develop OSP/ISP designs using ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and Visio; produce engineering-grade design packages, including splice diagrams, bills of materials, and construction specifications.
Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses; maintain strong working knowledge of broadband technologies (GPON, XGS-PON, Active Ethernet, fixed wireless) to evaluate and recommend the right fit based on terrain, density, and funding constraints.
Operate in a billable, client-facing capacity, contributing toward individual customer account goals.
Contribute to engineering standards, quality assurance, and continuous improvement efforts.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to project teams.
Manage the technical lifecycle of network projects from feasibility and design through permitting, construction oversight, testing, acceptance, and closeout.
Review and approve contractor submittments, as-built drawings, and test results for compliance with design specifications.
Collaborate with project managers, customers, contractors, and Tribal stakeholders throughout project delivery.
Evaluate technical risks, assumptions, and constraints and communicate them proactively.
Participate in customer meetings and technical presentations.
Serve as a trusted technical resource for both internal and external stakeholders.
Ensure all network designs and deliverables comply with NTIA BEAD, NTIA TBCP, USDA ReConnect, E-Rate, and other federal/state grant program requirements.
Prepare and review technical sections of RFP submittals, grant applications, and compliance reports.
Support environmental and historic preservation reviews (NEPA, NHPA Section 106) and maintain working knowledge of FCC regulations, spectrum coordination, and tower/structure registration requirements.
Author clear, professional engineering documentation — reports, memoranda, design narratives, and construction specifications — suitable for tribal councils, federal agencies, and contractors.
Clearly distinguish facts, assumptions, recommendations, and risks in written communications.
Present technical findings to non-technical stakeholders, including tribal leadership and grant administrators.