Telecommunications Outside Plant (OSP) Design Engineer

Experience using telecom network inventory and database tools, especially ConnectMaster or similar Operational Support Systems (OSS), to document network elements and manage telecom assets, fiber routes, and circuit records. Plan implementation schedules and participate in client's change management processes - coordinating network cutovers, scheduling necessary outage clearances, and preparing method-of-procedure documents to minimize impact on energy delivery and operations.

Job title: Telecommunications Outside Plant (OSP) Design Engineer
Location: Jackson, MS 39213- Can be Hybrid (3 days in office/2 days remotely)
Duration: 12 months contract
Pay range: XXXXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXXX an hour (Depends on experience & qualification)
Schedule: Standardshift

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities:

Fiber Optic Network Design & Deployment:

• Plan and engineer outside plant fiber optic networks to connect substations, generation facilities, control centers, and other utility sites.
• Design both aerial fiber (including Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) on transmission lines and All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) cables on distribution poles) and underground fiber routes.
• Develop route maps, specify fiber optic cables and hardware, create splicing and termination plans, and ensure network redundancy and resiliency to support mission-critical services (SCADA, protective relaying, corporate communications).
• Oversee permitting and rights-of-way for fiber installations and ensure designs meet National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) clearances and client's standards for attachment on utility infrastructure.

Microwave Radio System Engineering:

• Design and optimize point-to-point microwave radio links to connect remote sites and reinforce the fiber network.
• Perform path surveys and line-of-sight analyses, determine appropriate tower locations and heights, select antennas and frequencies, and develop link budgets to ensure reliable, high-capacity communications.
• Coordinate with frequency management and regulatory compliance (e.g., FCC licensing and interference studies) for microwave systems.
• Prepare specifications for microwave radios, waveguides, and antennas consistent with client's requirements and industry standards (e.g., Telcordia).

Telecom Site & Facility Design:

• Plan the placement and design of telecommunications facilities at electric utility locations (substations, power plants, control centers, etc.).
• Design and/or specify the installation of telecom support structures such as communications towers, poles, and antenna mounts, as well as prefabricated communication shelters, cabinets, or control house upgrades to house telecom equipment.
• Address associated civil and site work - including site layout, grading, access roads, cable trenching or conduit installation, and equipment foundations - in collaboration with civil and structural engineers.
• Ensure all telecom facility designs meet physical security requirements, environmental/hazard mitigation standards, and compatibility with existing utility infrastructure.

Power & Backup Systems Integration:

• Incorporate reliable power solutions into telecom designs to guarantee continuous operation of critical communications during power outages.
• Specify and coordinate AC power feeds, DC power plants and battery backup systems, and appropriately sized standby generators for telecom sites such as repeater huts, microwave relay sites, and substation telecom rooms.
• Ensure proper grounding, surge protection, and compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and client's electrical standards when integrating generators and backup power equipment at communications facilities.

Project Planning and Execution Support:

• Contribute to project lifecycle activities from initial scoping through commissioning.
• Develop project scopes and cost estimates for new telecom infrastructure projects (fiber expansions, microwave link deployments, network upgrades).
• Create and deliver detailed engineering design packages (incl. construction drawings, fiber splice diagrams, equipment layouts, wiring diagrams, and bill-of-materials) for use by field construction crews and contractors.
• Utilize Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and GIS mapping tools (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS or GE Smallworld) to produce route maps, floorplans, and site diagrams.
• Plan implementation schedules and participate in client's change management processes - coordinating network cutovers, scheduling necessary outage clearances, and preparing method-of-procedure documents to minimize impact on energy delivery and operations

Qualification:

• Fiber Outside design and build experience with: Cisco, Nokia, and Scinea.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics/Telecommunications Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent work experience combined with relevant technical training/certifications will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in telecommunications engineering, with a strong focus on outside plant fiber optic network design and/or microwave system engineering. (A track record of several years in telecom OSP engineering or network design in a utility or similar industry is expected for this contractor role.)

Technical Proficiency in Telecom Systems:

• Extensive knowledge of fiber optic communication systems (including fiber cable types, splicing techniques, connectors, and outside plant construction practices for aerial and underground installations).
• Proficiency in microwave radio system design and RF engineering principles (path loss calculations, antenna propagation, frequency coordination).
• Familiarity with packet-based transport networks (such as MPLS or Carrier Ethernet) and traditional time-division multiplexing (TDM) systems (e.g., SONET/SDH, DCS, channel banks) used in utility telecommunications. Solid understanding of IP networking fundamentals and how telecom transport networks interface with IP-based systems.

Tools & Software Skills:

• Proficient in using engineering and mapping tools common to telecom and utility design.
• This includes experience with GIS software (such as ESRI ArcGIS or GE Smallworld) for route planning and asset tracking, and computer-aided design (CAD) tools (e.g., AutoCAD or MicroStation) to develop construction drawings.
• Experience using telecom network inventory and database tools, especially ConnectMaster or similar Operational Support Systems (OSS), to document network elements and manage telecom assets, fiber routes, and circuit records.
• Comfortable with productivity and documentation software (Microsoft Office suite, Visio) and collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams).

Knowledge of Standards & Regulations:

• Working knowledge of relevant industry standards and codes for telecom and utility installations.
• Must be familiar with National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) guidelines for line construction and structure clearances, and basic National Electrical Code (NEC) principles for facility electrical systems.
• Awareness of telecommunications standards (such as Telcordia/Bellcore standards, IEEE communications standards, and other industry best practices) is expected.
• Ability to design solutions that comply with safety regulations, utility policies, and any applicable regulatory standards (e.g., NERC reliability standards) governing communications in electric power systems.