Description
Senior Lead Network Engineer (Network Data and Inventory)
Forged Fiber | Dallas, TX or Denver, CO (Hybrid)
The Role
The Senior Lead Network Engineer is an experienced technical leader who combines hands-on telecommunications engineering with data engineering and advanced analytics. The role is responsible for the accuracy, integrity, governance, and operational effectiveness of production network data and inventory information across Fiber Access and Metro network environments.
The focus is Production Data and Inventory Analysis. You will serve as the primary authority for OLT, fiber access, Metro Ethernet, and transport network datasets, and you will keep network platforms aligned with enterprise inventory systems such as NetBox, Optius/Odin, and related asset management tools.
The ideal leader brings a rare blend of outside plant and network implementation experience, data quality and governance expertise, and modern data science skills. You will build the pipelines, automation, dashboards, and predictive models that turn network and inventory data into trusted, decision-ready information for engineering, operations, planning, finance, and executive leadership.
The Main Responsibilities
Production Data Management and Analysis
• Lead the collection, validation, analysis, and governance of Fiber OLT, Metro, and transport network production datasets.
• Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of production network data across operational platforms, inventory systems, and reporting repositories.
• Profile data for quality, integrity, accuracy, and completeness, and design repeatable checks that catch problems before they reach reports and downstream systems.
• Develop and maintain operational reporting, dashboards, and metrics for network assets, service delivery, and infrastructure deployment using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, Looker, and Python or R visualization libraries.
• Apply statistical analysis and exploratory data analysis to identify trends, inventory utilization patterns, deployment bottlenecks, data quality issues, and operational risks.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to engineering, operations, and leadership teams, and present findings in clear, executive-ready narratives.
Network Inventory Management
• Own enterprise governance processes for Fiber and Metro network inventory data.
• Ensure synchronization and consistency between network infrastructure, inventory databases, and operational support systems.
• Lead inventory reconciliation efforts between production environments and systems such as NetBox, Optius/Odin, and other inventory management platforms.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve inventory discrepancies, data quality concerns, and asset record inconsistencies, using root cause analysis to prevent repeat issues.
• Lead large-scale record clean-up, digitization, and migration efforts, including converting legacy as-built drawings, route records, and lease information into authoritative inventory systems.
• Establish standards and controls for inventory lifecycle management, data maintenance, and audit readiness, including network audit standards and guidelines.
Inventory Platform and Systems Management
• Serve as the subject matter expert for network inventory platforms and data management tools.
• Partner with IT, engineering, and vendor teams to support enhancements, integrations, and operational improvements within NetBox, Optius/Odin, and related systems.
• Define requirements and functional specifications for inventory workflows, data models, reporting structures, and validation processes.
• Design and manage data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes, APIs, and data warehouse integrations that move network and inventory data reliably between systems.
• Support data migration, system integration, and inventory modernization initiatives from concept through production.
• Ensure inventory systems accurately reflect deployed network assets and service relationships.
Data Governance and Process Improvement
• Establish and enforce standards for network data quality, inventory accuracy, and reporting consistency, including policies that support regulatory and audit compliance.
• Develop and implement automation solutions (Python, SQL, PL/SQL, scripting, Power Automate, and workflow tools) to improve data collection, validation, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Build and operate machine learning data pipelines and, where valuable, predictive and classification models (for example, models that predict equipment or firmware upgrade outcomes, or that flag likely data errors) to improve operational efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, inventory integrity, and data governance.
• Define key performance indicators and quality metrics for network inventory and production data management, and track them with regular metric reporting.
Operational and Strategic Support
• Serve as the primary technical authority for Fiber OLT and Metro network inventory and production datasets.
• Support engineering, operations, deployment, finance, sales engineering, and supply chain organizations with trusted inventory and production data.
• Use network cost and capacity data to guide capital planning, budgeting, and bid or build decisions.
• Provide analytical support for audits, compliance reviews, executive reporting, and business initiatives.
• Partner with architecture, engineering, operations, and IT organizations to improve visibility and accuracy across network asset repositories.
Leadership, Mentorship, and Project Management
• Lead inventory transformation, data governance, and reporting enhancement initiatives from requirements through production.
• Manage projects involving inventory system integrations, process automation, and operational data improvements, with a record of shortening rollout timelines.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts to enhance network asset visibility, inventory accuracy, and operational reporting capabilities.
• Mentor and train engineers, analysts, contractors, and technicians through code and analysis reviews, hands-on training, and documented best practices.
• Contribute to hiring and talent development, and foster an inclusive, collaborative team environment.
What We Look for in a Candidate
Core Competencies
• Expert knowledge of telecommunications network infrastructure, including Fiber OLT, access, transport, dark fiber, outside plant, and Metro network technologies.
• Strong experience managing and analyzing production network datasets and inventory information.
• Extensive knowledge of network inventory management platforms, including NetBox, Optius/Odin, or comparable inventory and records systems.
• Proven experience with inventory reconciliation, data governance, data quality assurance, asset lifecycle tracking, and operational reporting.
• Advanced programming and query skills in SQL (including complex joins, window functions, and PL/SQL) and Python (Pandas, NumPy, PySpark, scikit-learn); R is a plus.
• Experience building and automating ETL/ELT workflows and data pipelines across relational and cloud databases such as PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, BigQuery, Redshift, and similar platforms.
• Experience developing dashboards, metrics, and analytical reporting solutions in Power BI, Tableau, Looker, or comparable tools.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (GCP and/or AWS) and with Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate) for workflow automation.
• Working knowledge of statistics and machine learning, including classification, clustering, regression, and hypothesis testing, and the ability to explain model results to non-technical audiences.
• Strong understanding of OSS platforms, network inventory architectures, and data integration methodologies.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and root cause investigation skills.
• Proven project management, mentoring, and team leadership experience.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities, including with senior leadership.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Data Analytics, or a related field desired. A master's degree in data science, analytics, or a related discipline is a plus.
Experience
Required:
• 7+ years of experience in telecommunications network engineering, network operations, inventory management, OSS platforms, production data analysis, or related technical disciplines.
Strongly preferred:
• Experience supporting Fiber Access, OLT, Metro Ethernet, transport networks, and enterprise inventory platforms such as NetBox and Optius/Odin.
• Experience in outside plant engineering, network implementation, or fiber planning, including route feasibility, splice and conduit planning, and as-built records.
• Experience leading data quality, data engineering, or business intelligence teams within a telecommunications or broadband provider.
• Experience migrating or modernizing large inventory or records datasets (hundreds of thousands of records) from legacy systems.
• A record of measurable results, such as reduced data redundancy and errors, faster project rollout, and improved operational KPIs.
Compensation and Benefits
This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary by location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors.
Base Salary Range: $132,000 - $198,000 USD
This role is also eligible for an annual bonus.
Forged Fiber also offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
What to Expect Next
Background Screening
If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements.
