Full Job Description
Description
We are seeking a technically skilled Senior Network Planning Engineer to join our global network infrastructure organization. This role serves as the critical operational and planning link between Network Architecture, IP Engineering, Optical Engineering, and Datacenter Strategy, owning the end-to-end capacity planning and infrastructure lifecycle across our Global Backbone, edge, and core datacenters. The successful candidate will combine strong foundational knowledge of both IP and Optical networking with predictive analytics, capacity modeling, and tactical/strategic business planning.
In this role, you will evaluate and plan investments across metro and long-haul Dark Fiber (DF), Submarine cable systems, and datacenter colocation (colo) facilities. You will translate architectural designs and traffic growth trends into scoped deployment packages, build multi-year capacity forecasts for optical transport and IP router chassis/ports, manage global carrier delivery, and drive cross-functional project management from scoping through in-service turn-up. This is a high-impact role requiring technical breadth across Layer 1-3 infrastructure, deep market awareness of global telco providers, advanced analytics capability, and rigorous program coordination.
Minimum Qualifications
Hands-on experience in network planning, network procurement, or network infrastructure operations, with demonstrated ownership of capacity planning and provisioning workflows across enterprise/carrier-scale networks.
Strong working knowledge of both IP and Optical network planning concepts, including Layer 1-3 infrastructure, DWDM/OTN transport, IP routing topologies, interface/port sizing, and traffic engineering.
Demonstrated experience building business cases, TCO models, and investment justifications for Dark Fiber (IRU/lease), Submarine systems, and datacenter colocation facilities.
Deep technical understanding of core and edge datacenter facility environments, including space, power redundancy, Meet-Me-Rooms, cabling topologies, and physical path diversity.
Experience with predictive analytics, capacity forecasting models, and inventory management systems, using telemetry data and trends to project optical, IP, and router hardware requirements.
Strong technical project management skills, with a proven ability to lead complex, multi-region infrastructure programs from scoping through in-service delivery.
Demonstrated ability to maintain cross-functional project tracking and effectively communicate technical, financial, and schedule status to engineering, operations, and executive leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with Apple internal infrastructure tooling or equivalent network inventory and operational source-of-truth platforms (OSS/BSS, circuit management, expense management systems).
Strong market knowledge of global telecom operators, subsea cable consortiums, and dark fiber providers across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
Experience working with data analysis and automation tools (e.g., Python, SQL, Tableau, or data modeling pipelines) to build network forecasting and capacity planning models.
Experience with commercial carrier engagement, including RFQ/quote solicitation, SOW review, SLA evaluation, and contract coordination for IRU, leased wave, and transit/peering agreements.
Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end carrier delivery workflows, including FOC tracking, target delivery date management, testing/acceptance (OTDR/RFC), and carrier handover review.
Project management certification (such as PMP) or equivalent practical experience managing multi-stakeholder technical projects.
Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Analytics, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
