Infrastructure Technology Senior Engineer

Description

The Infrastructure Technology Senior Engineer is responsible for the technical design, analysis, analysis, documentation, and implementation support of Lightpath's inside plant (ISP), outside plant (OSP), fiber backbone, and Head-End/Data Center infrastructure. This individual contributor role translates approved infrastructure plans and standards into detailed engineering deliverables, validates capacity and equipment requirements, and supports reliable, scalable network expansions and customer solutions. The Engineer works with Network Planning, Construction, Operations, and other technical teams to resolve design issues, evaluate passive infrastructure technologies, and maintain accurate engineering records.

Major Responsibilities:

As an individual contributor within Network Planning & Engineering, the Engineer performs technical analysis and develops engineering deliverables for Head-End/Data Center, fiber backbone, and passive infrastructure projects. Responsibilities include:
• Produce detailed ISP/OSP engineering designs, drawings, equipment layouts, fiber assignments, connectivity diagrams, and technical specifications for approved network infrastructure projects.
• Maintain and validate engineering records for passive infrastructure, fiber distribution, rack layouts, space utilization, and network inventory; identify and correct data discrepancies.
• Inspect and assess infrastructure conditions, available capacity, and equipment constraints; document findings and recommend specific remediation or upgrade actions.
• Coordinate technical requirements and design handoffs with Network Operations, Network Engineering, Construction, Service Activation, and Sales Engineering.
• Prepare bills of materials, quantity takeoffs, engineering cost estimates, and technical inputs supporting project budgets and procurement requests.
• Work with regional construction engineers to develop fiber route designs, splice plans, optical/data infrastructure layouts, and engineering packages for expansions and reconfigurations.
• Use GIS tools and network records to analyze fiber routes, available strands, geographic constraints, and capacity requirements; provide technical feedback on planning tools.
• Survey and evaluate candidate Head-End, Central Office, colocation, and Data Center locations for space, cabling, fiber access, rack configuration, and infrastructure feasibility.
• Perform laboratory and field evaluations of fiber optic cable, splice enclosures, patch panels, demarcation equipment, and other passive systems; record test results and prepare implementation procedures.
• Calculate and document fiber backbone, distribution, rack, and passive infrastructure capacity; identify thresholds and proposed engineering augment requirements.
• Develop technical feasibility assessments, preliminary designs, material requirements, and cost inputs for complex or non-standard customer opportunities.
• Compare technical design alternatives for infrastructure upgrades and expansions, documenting trade-offs, implementation constraints, and recommendations for management review.
• Apply established engineering, construction, cabling, safety, and documentation standards; identify deviations and recommend corrective engineering actions.
• Evaluate emerging ISP/OSP and passive infrastructure technologies through technical research, vendor demonstrations, and testing; provide findings to support technology selection.

Key Business Relations:
• The position works with technical and operational teams to translate approved infrastructure plans into accurate designs, implementation packages, and maintained network records.

Primary technical interfaces include:

• Network Engineering and Capacity Management - verify fiber and facility capacity assumptions, document required augments and provide technical inputs for network expansion designs.
• Operations and Field teams - investigate infrastructure constraints, validate site conditions, and resolve design or installation issues.
• Service Activation and Installation - prepare engineering packages, Methods of Procedure, Scopes of Work, and technical handoff documentation for approved projects.
• Circuit Design - verify physical routing, fiber assignments, termination locations, and infrastructure availability for complex circuit designs.
• Sales Engineering - provide infrastructure feasibility, available-capacity information, preliminary designs, and engineering cost inputs for customer opportunities.
• Product and vendors - assess equipment compatibility, review technical specifications, and document test results against approved network engineering standards.

Qualifications:
• A minimum of 7 years of hands-on engineering experience in telecommunications fiber infrastructure, ISP/OSP design, Central Offices, Head-Ends, or Data Center environments.
• Practical knowledge of relevant engineering practices, construction codes, safety requirements, and applicable quality and documentation standards.
• Demonstrated experience producing technical designs, resolving implementation issues, and completing multiple engineering assignments within defined schedules.

Education and Training:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical engineering experience.
• Experience with telecommunications facilities, Data Centers, or Central Office infrastructure is preferred.
• Ability to communicate engineering findings and technical requirements clearly in writing and verbally.
• Experience preparing design packages, engineering reports, diagrams, and technical specifications.

Soft Skills:
• Clear technical communication and documentation skills.
• Strong analytical troubleshooting and engineering problem-solving skills.
• Ability to organize engineering deliverables and coordinate technical tasks across multiple projects.
• Ability to prioritize assignments and resolve technical issues under project deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively across concurrent infrastructure design and implementation activities.
• Attention to detail in engineering calculations, drawings, and network records.
• Ability to work independently within established technical standards and seek review for design exceptions.
• Practical understanding of telecommunications network infrastructure.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with construction, field, operations, and engineering personnel.
• Sound technical judgment and willingness to validate assumptions through data, site reviews, and testing.

Technical Knowledge:
• Strong background with GIS based mapping systems such as QGIS, ArcGIS.
• Proven experience with GIS analytical techniques and applications. Strong skills in the analysis, visualization, and interpretation of various geospatial data.
• Working knowledge of Data Center, Head-End, and Central Office rack, cable-management, fiber-distribution, and colocation infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of fiber infrastructure, splicing, OTDR testing, and network architecture.
• Basic knowledge of lit infrastructure DWDM, MPLS, and wireless system connectivity.
• Have a deep understanding of both outside & inside plant cabling products and distribution methods.
• Experienced in outside plant construction design and permitting procedures.
• Good understanding of third-party licensing process for both aerial underground deployments.
• Experienced with fiber optic splicing and testing procedures.
• Ability to develop engineering packages and provide technical support from design through implementation and acceptance.
• Experienced technical writing skills sufficient to produce white papers, test cases, test plans, design documents, and technical diagram.
• Ability to specify and verify cable racks, fiber distribution frames, patch panels, and associated support structures in Head-Ends and Central Offices.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office, including advanced features of Excel and Word, as well as Visio, Access, and office systems (e.g., Netcracker, SalesForce, etc.).
• Working knowledge of building codes, environmental regulations, and safety standards.
• Ability to explain technical design options, constraints, and engineering trade-offs to project stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate technical findings to engineers, field personnel, contractors, and project managers.
• Ability to develop engineering scope, material estimates, technical documentation, and installation requirements for infrastructure construction projects.
• Willingness and ability to travel to off-site locations as required.

This position is identified as being performed in/or reporting to company operations in New York State. The pay range at the time of posting in the specified locations is $145,000 - $165,000/year. Pay ranges are supplied in compliance with New York State law. Pay is competitive and based on a number of job-related factors, including skills and experience. Some of our featured benefits include medical, dental, vision insurance, yearly bonus program and company matched 401k.