Central Office Planner - Network & Fiber Access

Job Summary

The Central Office Planner (Network & Fiber Access) is responsible for the design, deployment, operation, and optimization of network equipment and fiber-access infrastructure within central office (CO) facilities. This role supports IP, transport, and fiber access networks, including OLT-based architectures, while ensuring IOF diversity, efficient space utilization, and high availability across Central Office–to–Central Office environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot network central office equipment including routers, switches, OLTs, aggregation platforms, and transport systems.

• Support fiber access and IP-based technologies such as GPON, XGS-PON, IP/MPLS, carrier Ethernet, VoIP, and distributive split technologies.

• Design, deploy, and support Central Office–to–Central Office OLT architectures and interconnections.

• Coordinate with Central Office Engineers, network engineering teams, IOF organizations, and vendors to execute builds, augments, and migrations.

• Manage relay rack layouts, floor space planning, power distribution, and equipment placement to support scalable growth.

• Lead and support augment projects to expand network capacity and fiber access coverage.

• Implement and maintain IOF diversity strategies, ensuring network redundancy and resiliency across CO infrastructure.

• Perform turn-up, testing, validation, and acceptance of new network and fiber access services.

• Monitor network performance, alarms, and capacity; troubleshoot outages and service degradations.

• Monitor DC power systems including power plants, rectifiers, batteries, and generator interfaces.

• Execute planned maintenance, upgrades, and migrations with minimal customer impact.

• Maintain accurate network documentation including diagrams, rack elevations, fiber assignments, and inventory records.

• Ensure adherence to safety regulations, company policies, and industry standards.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, Network Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• 3–7+ years of experience in a network telecommunications central office environment.

• Strong knowledge of IP networking, routing, switching, and fiber access architectures.

• Hands-on experience with OLT platforms and fiber access network deployments.

• Experience managing relay rack layouts, floor space utilization, and network augments.

• Understanding of IOF infrastructure concepts, diversity planning, and redundancy models.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, network diagrams, and fiber documentation.

• Proven troubleshooting skills in high-availability network environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with GPON and XGS-PON and distributive split fiber access networks.

• Knowledge of DWDM, IP/MPLS core and aggregation networks.

• Experience supporting Central Office–to–Central Office interconnects.

• Vendor and industry certifications (CCNA/CCNP, MEF, FOA, or equivalent).

• Experience working with network monitoring, alarm, and inventory management systems.

• Familiarity with automation or scripting for network provisioning and monitoring.

• Ability to utilize 3GIS software.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong network and fiber access engineering expertise

• Excellent coordination and vendor management skills

• Ability to manage multiple augments and network projects simultaneously

• Detail-oriented approach to infrastructure planning and documentation

• Ability to work under pressure in 24x7 carrier-grade environments

Work Environment

• Remote engineer – Must work Mountain Standard Time (MST) hours

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights

• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and a continuous improvement mindset

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment