Telecommunications Design Engineer - Outside Plant

Job Summary

The Telecommunications Outside Plant (OSP) Design Engineer is responsible for the planning, design, implementation, and support of utility telecommunications infrastructure, including fiber optic networks, microwave radio systems, and associated telecommunications facilities. This role supports mission-critical communications systems used for utility operations, including substations, generation facilities, control centers, and field locations. The engineer will develop detailed engineering designs, construction packages, network documentation, and project plans while ensuring compliance with industry standards, safety requirements, and operational objectives. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in outside plant fiber design and construction, telecommunications network engineering, and utility communications infrastructure.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and engineer outside plant fiber optic networks supporting utility operations and critical infrastructure.
• Develop aerial and underground fiber optic network designs, including route planning, cable selection, splice plans, and termination designs.
• Design and support Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS), and underground fiber installations.
• Perform fiber route analysis, right-of-way planning, and permitting coordination activities.
• Develop network redundancy and resiliency solutions to support critical communications systems.
• Design and optimize point-to-point microwave radio communication systems.
• Perform path studies, line-of-sight analysis, frequency planning, antenna selection, and link budget calculations.
• Support microwave licensing, interference studies, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Design telecommunications infrastructure at substations, power generation facilities, control centers, and remote communication sites.
• Develop engineering packages for communication shelters, equipment buildings, towers, poles, antenna structures, and telecom support facilities.
• Coordinate civil, structural, electrical, and telecommunications requirements with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Design and integrate backup power systems, battery systems, generators, grounding, and surge protection solutions for telecommunications facilities.
• Develop project scopes, engineering estimates, schedules, and implementation plans.
• Create detailed engineering design packages, construction drawings, equipment layouts, wiring diagrams, splice diagrams, and bills of materials.
• Utilize CAD and GIS tools to develop route maps, site layouts, and telecommunications infrastructure documentation.
• Support construction activities, commissioning, testing, network cutovers, and project closeout activities.
• Participate in change management processes and support implementation planning for network upgrades and expansions.
• Maintain telecommunications network documentation, asset records, and inventory databases.
• Ensure compliance with applicable telecommunications, utility, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, construction, and project management teams to support successful project execution.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical field required.
• Equivalent combination of education, technical training, and relevant experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in telecommunications engineering with a strong focus on outside plant fiber optic network design and construction.
• Strong experience designing and supporting fiber optic communications infrastructure.
• Experience with fiber optic cable systems, splicing practices, connectors, and outside plant construction methods.
• Experience designing and supporting microwave radio communication systems.
• Strong understanding of RF engineering principles, microwave path analysis, and frequency coordination.
• Familiarity with packet transport networks including MPLS and Carrier Ethernet.
• Working knowledge of traditional telecommunications transport technologies including SONET, SDH, DCS, and channel bank systems.
• Understanding of IP networking fundamentals and telecommunications transport architectures.
• Proficiency with CAD software such as AutoCAD or MicroStation.
• Experience utilizing GIS platforms such as ArcGIS, Smallworld, or similar mapping tools.
• Experience with telecommunications inventory and network management systems.
• Strong knowledge of NESC, NEC, telecommunications standards, and utility communication system requirements.
• Strong written, verbal, and technical communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or related field required.
• Relevant technical certifications and industry training are highly desirable.

Work Experience

• Several years of telecommunications engineering experience with a focus on outside plant fiber network design required.
• Experience designing and building fiber optic communications networks required.
• Experience with telecommunications equipment and platforms from manufacturers such as Cisco, Nokia, and similar telecommunications vendors required.
• Experience supporting utility, energy, industrial, or critical infrastructure communications networks preferred.
• Experience with microwave radio systems design and implementation preferred.
• Experience with telecom construction drawings, network documentation, and engineering design packages preferred.
• Experience with GIS, CAD, and telecommunications asset management systems preferred.
• Experience supporting large-scale telecommunications infrastructure projects preferred.