Telecommunications Outside Plant (OSP) Design Engineer

Job Title

Pay Range: $67.44hr - $72.44hr

• 1+ years of experience in telecommunications engineering with a focus on outside plant fiber optic network design and/or microwave system engineering.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics/Telecommunications Engineering, or a related field.
• Equivalent work experience combined with relevant technical training/certifications will be considered.

• Plan and engineer outside plant fiber optic networks to connect substations, generation facilities, control centers, and other utility sites.
• Design both aerial fiber and underground fiber routes.
• Develop route maps, specify fiber optic cables and hardware, create splicing and termination plans, and ensure network redundancy and resiliency.
• Oversee permitting and rights-of-way for fiber installations and ensure designs meet National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) clearances and standards.
• Design and optimize point-to-point microwave radio links to connect remote sites and reinforce the fiber network.
• Perform path surveys and line-of-sight analyses, determine appropriate tower locations and heights, select antennas and frequencies, and develop link budgets.
• Prepare specifications for microwave radios, wave guides, and antennas consistent with requirements and industry standards.
• Plan the placement and design of telecommunications facilities at electric utility locations.
• Design and/or specify the installation of telecom support structures and ensure all telecom facility designs meet physical security requirements.
• Incorporate reliable power solutions into telecom designs to guarantee continuous operation of critical communications during power outages.
• Contribute to project lifecycle activities from initial scoping through commissioning.
• Develop project scopes and cost estimates for new telecom infrastructure projects.
• Create and deliver detailed engineering design packages for use by field construction crews and contractors.
• Plan implementation schedules and participate in change management processes.

• Extensive knowledge of fiber optic communication systems.
• Proficiency in microwave radio system design and RF engineering principles.
• Familiarity with packet-based transport networks and traditional time-division multiplexing systems.
• Solid understanding of IP networking fundamentals.
• Proficient in using engineering and mapping tools common to telecom and utility design.
• Experience with GIS software and computer-aided design (CAD) tools.
• Comfortable with productivity and documentation software and collaboration platforms.

• Working knowledge of relevant industry standards and codes for telecom and utility installations.
• Familiarity with National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) guidelines and basic National Electrical Code (NEC) principles.
• Awareness of telecommunications standards and ability to design solutions that comply with safety regulations.