Sr Lead Network Engineer - Dallas, TX

Forged Fiber 37•Dallas, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Lead Engineer – Network Modeling & Data Engineering is a highly technical leadership role responsible for designing, developing, and governing advanced network models and data engineering solutions that support architecture, engineering, and technology strategy. This role serves as a senior technical authority across access network architecture, large-scale network data platforms, and analytical modeling, enabling data-driven decision-making for planning, capacity, performance, and investment strategies. This position bridges network engineering, data platforms, analytics, and automation to translate complex network behaviors into scalable models and actionable insights. The Senior Lead Engineer collaborates across architecture, engineering, operations, IT, and product teams to define standards, influence technology roadmaps, and ensure network data solutions align with long-term business and technology objectives.

Requirements

Advanced understanding of OAP Metro, access network architectures, including PON and IP-based networks.
Strong expertise in network modeling techniques and scenario analysis.
Deep knowledge of data engineering concepts, including data pipelines, data modeling, and analytics platforms.
Proficiency in working with large, complex datasets and translating them into actionable insights.
Demonstrated ability to define architecture standards and influence technical strategy at an enterprise level.
Proven leadership in cross-functional environments with the ability to drive alignment and execution.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in Engineering, Information Systems, or related field desired.
Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
7+ years of experience in data engineering, network architecture, network engineering, or infrastructure-focused technical roles.
Demonstrated experience leading architectural and technical decisions across cross-functional engineering and operations teams.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience building or governing network models and large-scale network data solutions.
Experience supporting access network planning, capacity forecasting, or large-scale infrastructure investment decisions.
Background in analytics, optimization, or automation applied to network environments.
Prior experience in technical leadership or principal-level engineering role influencing enterprise architecture.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain scalable network models that represent access, aggregation, and core network architectures, performance analysis, and future-state design.
Lead modeling of OAP Metro, Access Network and PON architectures, including topology, serviceability, and growth scenarios.
Define modeling standards, assumptions, and methodologies to ensure consistency, accuracy, and reusability across teams.
Evaluate the impact of new technologies, architectures, and design options through quantitative modeling and simulation.
Create and implement data pipelines that ingest, transform, and curate large-scale network, telemetry, and operational datasets.
Develop canonical data models that support network modeling, analytics, and reporting use cases.
Ensure data quality, lineage, and governance across network data platforms.
Partner with analytics and automation teams to operationalize models through dashboards, decision tools, and APIs.
Assess emerging networks, data, and modeling technologies and provide recommendations aligned to architectural strategy.
Contribute to multi-year technology roadmaps, including build-vs-buy analysis and proof-of-concept evaluations.
Provide technical leadership best practices for network data and modeling solutions.
Serve as a senior technical advisor across architecture, engineering, operations, and IT teams.
Lead cross-functional initiatives, driving alignment on architecture decisions, data standards, and modeling approaches.
Mentor peer engineers raising overall capability in network modeling and data engineering disciplines.
Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Manage complex, multi-workstream initiatives related to network modeling, data platforms, and analytics.
Establish priorities, define deliverables, and track progress to ensure timely and high-quality outcomes.
Prepare cost-benefit analyses and quantitative justifications to support architecture and investment decisions.