Optical Network Engineer

Remote

Our client seeks an Optical Network Engineer to design, deploy, and maintain large-scale optical transport infrastructure. The role will build, configure, and troubleshoot platforms such as Nokia PSS, Cisco NCS2015, and Ciena 6500, with focus on OTN, SONET, and DWDM technologies. You will execute changes on live customer circuits, produce accurate impact statements and MOPs, and support migrations and upgrades across an enterprise environment. Success will require strong operations engineering experience, task ownership across multiple concurrent projects, and collaboration within a fast-paced setting.

Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $90,000 to $110,000/yr. w2

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Responsibilities:

• Support technical efforts that enhance the client experience across optical transport services.
• Participate in planning and documenting network architecture for deployments and migrations.
• Integrate and document communication architectures, topologies, hardware, software, links, and protocols.
• Evaluate products and resolve network problems to enhance the optical product base.
• Assist in developing and documenting technical standards, procedures, and methods of procedure.
• Establish protocol compatibility standards and implement network enhancements with recommendations for improvement.
• Plan and complete medium- to highly complex projects to optimize and configure existing optical networks.
• Provide escalated tier troubleshooting and issue resolution during implementations with vendors and internal teams.
• Serve on multiple projects simultaneously and occasionally act as a project team lead.
• Mentor less experienced team members to improve departmental performance.
• Comply with applicable regulations and standards to mitigate project risks.

Experience Requirements:

• 5+ years in optical transport deployment, including operations or engineering roles with providers or vendors.
• 3+ years operating, administering, and maintaining optical transport networks, including Nokia PSS, Cisco NCS2015, and Ciena 6500.
• Hands-on experience building optical networking infrastructure and systems.
• Proficiency designing, building, commissioning, troubleshooting, and decommissioning optical hardware in upgrade cycles.
• Ability to interpret complex work packages, produce impact statements, and author detailed MOPs and change requests.
• Experience with routing concepts, optical transport systems, and provisioning/troubleshooting common service configurations.
• Strong familiarity with OTN, SONET, and DWDM.
• Ability to self-manage multiple concurrent assignments, maintain accurate ticket status, meet deadlines, and execute work on live circuits without causing outages.
• Willingness to participate in periodic maintenance windows and a 24/7 on-call rotation as needed.
• Experience in fast-paced, large-scale service provider environments handling many enterprise projects concurrently.
• CCNP, OCP, NONC, or other optical certifications (preferred).
• Deep knowledge of Nokia PSS, Cisco NCS2015, or Ciena 6500 (preferred).
• Optical migrations experience (preferred).
• Experience with DWDM Flex Grid, SONET/SDH, CWDM, PON, wave turn-up, OTU/ODU, and 10G/100G/200G services (preferred).
• MOP writing and network performance optimization experience (preferred).

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• CCNP (preferred certification).
• OCP, NONC, OTT, ONP, CONA/CONE, or similar optical certifications (preferred).
• IP certifications such as CCNA/CCNP (preferred).

Recruitment Transparency Notice

Eliassen Group values transparency in our recruitment practices. Please be advised that Eliassen Group utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of its initial application screening and hiring process. You may receive email and SMS notifications from the Eliassen Virtual Recruiting Team (, ) inviting you to complete a brief voice screening as part of your application process. These tools assist our hiring teams in different ways, including but not limited to, assistance in reviewing application materials to help identify candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position. All AI-assisted evaluations and responses are reviewed by human recruiters before any hiring decisions are made. The use of AI in our process is intended to support fairness, efficiency, and consistency, and Eliassen Group takes measures to prevent bias or discrimination in connection with its hiring practices. By proceeding, you acknowledge, agree, and consent to Eliassen Group's use of these tools, including AI tools, as part of the application and hiring process.

Skills, experience, and other compensable factors will be considered when determining pay rate. The pay range provided in this posting reflects a W2 hourly rate; other employment options may be available that may result in pay outside of the provided range.

W2 employees of Eliassen Group who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for the following benefits: medical (choice of 3 plans), dental, vision, pre-tax accounts, other voluntary benefits including life and disability insurance, 401(k) with match, and sick time if required by law in the worked-in state/locality.

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About Eliassen Group:

Eliassen Group is a strategic consulting firm that helps organizations reach further and achieve more through our technology, business advisory, and life sciences solutions. For nearly 40 years, we have combined exceptional people, deep domain expertise, and intelligent capabilities to expand our clients' capacity and accelerate meaningful outcomes. We are driven by a purpose to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities we serve.

Eliassen is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and all employment decisions are based on merit, performance, and business needs. Eliassen does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual preference or orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, prohibited criminal record inquiries of applicants and employees, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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