Telecommunications Design Engineer

Telecommunications Design Engineer - Outside Plant

Russellville, AR

Pay: $63.00 per hour

Job Summary

The Telecommunications Outside Plant (OSP) Design Engineer is responsible for designing, engineering, and supporting mission-critical telecommunications infrastructure that connects utility substations, generation facilities, control centers, and other operational sites. This role focuses on fiber optic network design, microwave radio system engineering, telecom facility design, backup power integration, and project execution support. The engineer will develop detailed engineering packages, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and ensure compliance with utility, telecommunications, and safety standards. This position requires strong expertise in outside plant fiber design, microwave communications, utility telecommunications networks, and telecommunications infrastructure deployment.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and engineer outside plant fiber optic networks supporting utility communications infrastructure.
• Develop aerial and underground fiber network designs, including OPGW and ADSS cable deployments.
• Create route maps, fiber splice plans, termination schedules, and network redundancy strategies.
• Coordinate permitting, rights-of-way, and utility attachment requirements for fiber installations.
• Ensure compliance with National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requirements and utility standards.
• Design and optimize point-to-point microwave radio communication systems.
• Perform path studies, line-of-sight analysis, frequency planning, and link budget calculations.
• Coordinate microwave frequency licensing and interference mitigation activities.
• Develop specifications for microwave radios, antennas, waveguides, and supporting equipment.
• Design telecommunications facilities including communication shelters, cabinets, towers, antenna mounts, and related infrastructure.
• Collaborate with civil and structural engineering teams on site development, foundations, conduit systems, and equipment installations.
• Integrate AC power systems, DC power plants, battery backup systems, grounding, surge protection, and standby generators into telecom designs.
• Develop project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, and engineering documentation for telecommunications projects.
• Create construction drawings, wiring diagrams, equipment layouts, fiber splice diagrams, and bills of materials.
• Utilize CAD and GIS platforms to develop route maps, site plans, and engineering drawings.
• Support project implementation, commissioning activities, network cutovers, and change management processes.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, contractors, and field personnel to support project execution.
• Maintain accurate telecom network records, asset documentation, and inventory information.
• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, utility requirements, and regulatory guidelines.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent experience and technical training may be considered.
• Experience designing and supporting outside plant fiber optic networks.
• Experience with fiber optic network deployment including aerial and underground installations.
• Knowledge of fiber optic cable types, splicing methods, connectors, and outside plant construction practices.
• Experience designing and supporting microwave radio communication systems.
• Knowledge of RF engineering principles including path analysis, antenna selection, propagation, and frequency coordination.
• Experience with Cisco, Nokia, and telecommunications networking equipment.
• Understanding of packet-based transport technologies including MPLS and Carrier Ethernet.
• Familiarity with traditional telecommunications transport systems including SONET, SDH, DCS, and channel bank technologies.
• Knowledge of IP networking fundamentals and telecommunications transport architectures.
• Proficiency with GIS platforms such as ArcGIS or similar mapping tools.
• Experience using CAD software such as AutoCAD or MicroStation.
• Experience with telecommunications inventory and asset management systems such as ConnectMaster or similar OSS platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Visio, and collaboration tools.
• Knowledge of NESC, NEC, Telcordia/Bellcore standards, IEEE communications standards, and utility telecommunications best practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Work Experience

• Several years of telecommunications engineering experience with a strong emphasis on outside plant fiber optic network design and/or microwave communications engineering.
• Experience supporting telecommunications infrastructure projects within utility, energy, telecommunications, or similar critical infrastructure environments.
• Experience developing engineering design packages, construction documentation, and implementation plans for telecommunications systems.
• Experience supporting telecommunications project execution from design through commissioning.