Optical Transport Network Engineer III
Description: On-Call: Participation in 24/7 rotation required Experience Required: 5–8+ years in Optical Transport Engineering
About the Role
DataField is seeking a highly skilled Telecommunications Network Engineer III with strong experience in optical transport deployment, operations, and modernization. This senior-level engineer will design, build, configure, commission, maintain, and migrate carrier-grade optical networks. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience working with major optical platforms, executing complex work packages, writing MOPs, and supporting live production transport environments. This role operates at a Tier 3 / Tier 4 engineering level and requires strong technical depth, accountability, and operational discipline. Core Technologies & Protocols Strong competency required in:
- DWDM / WDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing, Flex Grid)
- OTN (G.709) Optical Transport Network standards
- ROADM architectures
- Coherent Optics (100G, 200G, 400G, 800G, ZR/ZR+)
- SONET / SDH (legacy transport & migration)
- OTU / ODU provisioning
- Wave turn-up and optical service configuration
- Fiber characterization including Chromatic Dispersion (CD) and Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD)
Vendor Platform Experience Strong experience with one or more of the following:
- Nokia – 1830 PSS, WaveSuite, NSP
- Cisco – NCS 2000/4000 series, NCS2015, ONS 15454
- Ciena – 6500 Family, Waveserver, MCP (Blue Planet), Z-Series
- Experience with multi-vendor or disaggregated optical environments preferred
Key Responsibilities
Network Engineering & Deployment
- Design, build, configure, and commission optical transport systems
- Execute optical network deployments and infrastructure upgrades
- Perform A-to-Z circuit provisioning and wave turn-up
- Decommission legacy platforms during modernization initiatives
- Support optical migrations and capacity expansions
Work Package Execution
- Interpret complex work packages and network designs
- Build detailed Change Requests
- Develop and execute comprehensive MOPs (Method of Procedure)
- Provide accurate impact statements prior to maintenance activities
- Execute changes on live production circuits with zero customer-impact discipline
Operations & Maintenance
- Operation, administration, and maintenance of OTN/DWDM networks
- Provisioning and troubleshooting optical transport systems
- NMS/EMS management and performance monitoring
- Capacity planning and bandwidth forecasting
- Dark fiber procurement, testing, and validation
- Inside Plant (ISP) coordination including rack/stack, cabling, and power requirements
Troubleshooting & Support
- Diagnose complex optical layer faults
- Troubleshoot routing and service configuration issues
- Support Tier 4 break/fix escalations
- Participate in 24/7 on-call rotation
Automation & Emerging Technologies Experience or familiarity with:
- OpenConfig, NetConf, YANG
- Python scripting for provisioning automation
- Disaggregated networking architectures
- Alien wavelength deployments
Requirements:
Required Qualifications
- 5–8+ years of optical transport deployment and engineering experience
- 3+ years operating and maintaining DWDM/OTN networks
- Experience with carrier-grade optical network providers or vendors
- Strong familiarity with OTN, SONET, DWDM, CWDM, PON
- Experience building and managing optical infrastructure
- Ability to manage multiple assignments in fast-paced environments
- Strong documentation and communication skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
Preferred Certifications Vendor-Specific (Highly Valued):
- Ciena OC-P or CE-P
- Nokia ONRP
- Cisco CCNP Enterprise (optical/core focus)
Industry Certifications:
- MEF-CECP
- ETA/FOA CFOT
- OCP, NONC, OTT, ONP, CONA/CONE
- CCNA/CCNP (IP certifications are a plus)
What We’re Looking For
- Deep optical transport expertise
- Strong operational discipline in live network environments
- Ability to execute complex upgrades without customer impact
- Self-managed, detail-oriented engineer capable of leading initiatives
- Comfortable working in 24/7 production carrier environments
Why Join DataField?
- High-impact optical transport engineering work
- Exposure to modernization and next-generation coherent optics
- Opportunity to work across multi-vendor ecosystems
- Competitive compensation and performance incentives
- Engineering-focused environment with technical growth opportunities
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