Planning Engineer III (Sr. Transport Planning Engineer)
Optomi, in partnership with a leading telecommunications organization, is seeking a Planning Engineer III (Sr. Transport Planning Engineer) to support network growth, capacity planning, and modernization initiatives across national core and metropolitan transport networks. This role will develop implementation-ready planning packages, perform network data analysis and forecasting, manage project funding and budgets, and collaborate with engineering and operations teams to drive network evolution. The ideal candidate brings broad, end-to-end transport planning experience across SONET, Ethernet, DWDM, and optical transport networks, along with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to independently drive projects forward.
What the Right Candidate Will Enjoy:
- Supporting large-scale network growth, capacity, and modernization initiatives!
- Working across national core and metropolitan transport networks!
- Developing planning solutions that directly support network evolution and expansion!
- Collaborating with engineering, operations, and cross-functional stakeholders on complex network initiatives!
- Taking ownership of projects and driving work forward with minimal direction!
- Mentoring junior engineers while expanding knowledge across different areas of the network!
Experience of the Right Candidate:
- 5+ years of transport planning or telecommunications network engineering experience
- Strong end-to-end network planning experience across SONET, Ethernet, DWDM, and optical transport networks
- Experience with core backbone and metropolitan network growth and capacity planning
- Experience developing implementation-ready engineering and planning packages
- Strong understanding of telecommunications network design and transport engineering principles
- Experience with network data analysis, capacity planning, and forecasting
- Knowledge of Central Office infrastructure, including power, alarms, and common systems
- Familiarity with Outside Plant (OSP) engineering and telecommunications infrastructure
- Experience coordinating with engineering, operations, and other cross-functional stakeholders
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Self-sufficient, adaptable, and comfortable taking initiative with minimal direction
- Previous Lumen experience is strongly preferred
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop network growth, capacity, and evolution plans for national core and metropolitan transport networks
- Perform SONET network planning and capacity management activities
- Analyze network data and develop capacity forecasts to support future network requirements
- Create implementation-ready planning and engineering packages for design and field engineering teams
- Support network modernization, expansion, and migration initiatives
- Coordinate with engineering, operations, and project stakeholders to drive planning activities forward
- Manage project funding, capital and expense budgets, and related planning documentation
- Ensure network planning activities align with applicable telecommunications standards and regulations
- Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and training to junior engineers
- Proactively identify opportunities, engage stakeholders, and drive projects with minimal supervision
Systems & Tools:
- TIRKS
- CNDC ASPEN Portal
- LCAM
- MetaSolv
- Fireworks
- CORE
- Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Teams
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous Lumen experience in transport planning or network engineering
- Experience supporting large-scale telecommunications or carrier network environments
- Experience with Optical Transport Networks
- Experience managing project budgets and funding
- Experience leading cross-functional network initiatives
- Strong ability to learn new areas of the network and adapt to evolving priorities
