Telecommunications Design Engineer - Outside Plant

Telecommunications Design Engineer - Outside Plant
New Orleans, LA
Pay: $65.00 per hour
26-05692

Job Summary

The Telecommunications Outside Plant (OSP) Design Engineer is responsible for the design, engineering, and deployment of mission-critical telecommunications infrastructure supporting utility operations. This role focuses on fiber optic network design, microwave radio communications, telecom facility engineering, backup power integration, and project execution. The engineer will develop detailed engineering packages, support construction and commissioning activities, and ensure telecommunications systems meet reliability, safety, and regulatory requirements. This position requires strong expertise in outside plant fiber design, utility telecommunications networks, microwave communications, and telecommunications infrastructure supporting critical operations.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and engineer outside plant fiber optic networks connecting substations, generation facilities, control centers, and other operational sites.
• Develop aerial and underground fiber network designs, including Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) and All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) cable installations.
• Create route maps, splice plans, termination schedules, cable specifications, and network redundancy designs.
• Coordinate permitting, right-of-way activities, and utility attachment requirements.
• Ensure compliance with National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) standards and utility infrastructure requirements.
• Design and optimize point-to-point microwave radio communication systems.
• Perform path surveys, line-of-sight analysis, antenna selection, frequency planning, and link budget calculations.
• Support frequency coordination, regulatory compliance, and licensing activities.
• Develop specifications for microwave radios, antennas, waveguides, and associated telecommunications equipment.
• Design telecommunications facilities including communication shelters, cabinets, towers, poles, antenna structures, and supporting infrastructure.
• Collaborate with civil and structural engineering teams on site development, foundations, conduit systems, trenching, grading, and access requirements.
• Design and integrate AC power systems, DC power plants, battery backup systems, standby generators, grounding, and surge protection solutions.
• Develop project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, and implementation plans for telecommunications infrastructure projects.
• Prepare engineering design packages including construction drawings, equipment layouts, wiring diagrams, fiber splice diagrams, and bills of materials.
• Utilize CAD and GIS tools to develop route maps, site layouts, floor plans, and engineering documentation.
• Support project implementation, network cutovers, commissioning activities, and change management processes.
• Maintain telecommunications asset records, network documentation, and inventory information.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, contractors, and field personnel to support project execution and operational readiness.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable safety, telecommunications, utility, and regulatory standards.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent experience and technical certifications may be considered.
• Experience designing and deploying outside plant fiber optic networks.
• Strong knowledge of aerial and underground fiber construction practices.
• Experience with fiber optic cable types, splicing techniques, connectors, and telecommunications infrastructure deployment.
• Experience designing and supporting microwave radio communication systems.
• Knowledge of RF engineering principles including propagation, path loss calculations, frequency coordination, and antenna systems.
• Experience with Cisco, Nokia, and related telecommunications networking platforms.
• Understanding of packet-based transport technologies including MPLS and Carrier Ethernet.
• Familiarity with SONET, SDH, DCS, channel banks, and other telecommunications transport systems.
• Solid understanding of IP networking fundamentals and telecommunications transport architectures.
• Experience with GIS platforms such as ArcGIS, Smallworld, or similar mapping applications.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, MicroStation, or comparable CAD software.
• Experience using telecommunications inventory and asset management systems such as ConnectMaster or similar Operational Support Systems (OSS).
• 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, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work onsite with potential hybrid flexibility based on business needs.

Work Experience

• Several years of telecommunications engineering experience with a strong emphasis on outside plant fiber optic network design and build activities.
• Experience supporting utility, energy, critical infrastructure, or telecommunications network projects.
• Experience developing engineering design packages and supporting projects through construction, commissioning, and operational turnover.
• Experience with telecommunications infrastructure supporting SCADA, protective relaying, operational communications, or similar critical systems is preferred.

About Equiliem

Equiliem believes in empowering success. It's our job to cultivate relationships that connect people and employers in a way that is inclusive, intelligent, and allows both to thrive.

Across the U.S., leading companies in healthcare, government, engineering, manufacturing, professional services, and energy rely on us for their workforce solutions. Our recruiting and HR services include contract and direct hire staffing, Payrolling/EOR, Independent Contractor Compliance, and Managed Services.

For almost 30 years, we've helped shape our industry. Today, we continue to research, ask questions, and continuously enhance the candidate journey and client experience.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees, which includes:

• Medical Insurance
• Vision & Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Matching 401(k)
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Discounts & Rewards
• Payroll Payment Options

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