Network Engineer

Position Title:

Senior Broadband NOC Engineer
Salary Range: $50K-$90K

Location:

Sullivan, IL office - Monday to Friday – Not a remote position

The Senior Broadband NOC Engineer is responsible for overseeing complex network projects focused on Calix FTTH and PON technologies while ensuring the stability and performance of the network infrastructure. This position requires advanced expertise in fiber optic networks, with a strong emphasis on managing escalated trouble tickets, troubleshooting critical outages, and optimizing FTTH network operations. The Engineer will lead key initiatives, mentor junior engineers, and serve as a technical authority in maintaining and enhancing network reliability in a fast‑paced, technology‑driven environment.

This role will involve network migrations and network overhauls via future acquisitions.

• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of network projects involving FTTH and PON technologies, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and organizational objectives.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and deliverables, ensuring successful execution within scope and budget constraints.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, vendors, and stakeholders to resolve technical challenges and drive project success.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex NOC tickets, providing expert-level troubleshooting and resolution for critical network issues.
• Mentor and guide junior NOC engineers in resolving escalated incidents, fostering their technical growth and improving team efficiency.
• Analyze patterns in escalated tickets to identify systemic issues and implement long‑term solutions that enhance network performance.
• Lead rapid response efforts to diagnose and resolve network outages, minimizing service disruptions and ensuring swift recovery.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams and external partners to address hardware, software, or configuration‑related problems during outages.
• Conduct thorough post‑incident analyses to refine response strategies and prevent future occurrences.
• Oversee advanced network maintenance tasks, including configuration updates, performance tuning, and capacity planning for FTTH and PON networks.
• Leverage network monitoring tools and automation to proactively identify and resolve potential issues before they impact operations.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of network configurations, changes, and operational procedures to ensure consistency and knowledge sharing.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior team members, promoting a culture of continuous learning.
• Participate in an on‑call rotation to ensure 24/7 network support and rapid response to critical incidents.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Networking, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).

• 5+ years of experience in a NOC or network operations role, with at least 3 years specializing in FTTH and PON networks.
• Proven track record of leading network projects from inception to completion, particularly in fiber optic environments.
• Extensive experience managing escalated incidents and troubleshooting complex network outages in high‑pressure situations.

• Advanced knowledge of FTTH and PON technologies (e.g., GPON, EPON, XGS‑PON) and fiber optic network architecture.
• Expertise with network monitoring and diagnostic tools (e.g., Solar Winds, Nagios, Wireshark, OTDR).
• Strong understanding of networking protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, BGP) and relevant industry standards (e.g., IEEE, ITU‑T).
• Experience with scripting or automation tools (e.g., Python, Ansible) to streamline network operations.

• Exceptional problem‑solving skills with the ability to perform under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities, with a focus on developing junior team members.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of explaining complex technical issues to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Detail‑oriented with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential network challenges.

Collaborative team player with a track record of working well with cross‑functional teams.