Broadband Engineering Consultant - Remote

About the role

Michael Baker International’s Broadband Practice provides broadband and telecommunications consulting and engineering services to state broadband offices, public agencies, municipalities, and other government entities nationwide. The practice supports clients through technical advisory services, broadband planning, data analysis and mapping, verification and challenge support, and grant and program implementation support. Work includes advising on broadband technologies, evaluating broadband availability and serviceability information, and interpreting data and documentation from Internet service providers to support public-sector decision-making. The practice also supports broadband technology evaluation, cost and schedule analysis, grant management, program and project strategy, risk assessments, and technical review of deployment-related information across wired and wireless environments.

Responsibilities

• Support consulting engagements for state broadband offices, municipalities, and other public-sector clients related to broadband programs, telecommunications strategy, technical review, and data-driven decision-making.
• Review and assess broadband network-related data and supporting documentation, including service data, deployment project-area information, location information, technology descriptions, and deployment-related records.
• Analyze broadband serviceable locations (BSLs), project areas, and related datasets using spreadsheets, tabular analysis, GIS tools, targeted software platforms, and supporting technical documentation to identify inconsistencies, trends, gaps, and deployment project risks.
• Evaluate broadband technologies and network environments including fiber, PON-based systems, DOCSIS concepts, and fixed and mobile wireless, to support technical advisory.
• Support technical review of broadband grant applications and related program materials, including scoring inputs, risk indicators, and location-level documentation used during application and award phases.
• Support verification and challenge process activities by reviewing ISP-submitted evidence, assessing data and documentation quality, and helping document findings for public-sector decision-making.
• Prepare technical memoranda, issue logs, comparison analyses, summary reports, presentations, and other client-facing deliverables that clearly communicate findings to public-sector stakeholders.
• Assist clients and project teams in understanding broadband deployment assumptions, cost and schedule considerations, serviceability issues, and technology distinctions, and the implications of these data on program decisions.
• Coordinate and support field teams conducting broadband validation activities, including guidance on field procedures, documentation expectations, data collection requirements, location validation, and consistency in reporting.
• Provide day-to-day technical support and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams including project managers, analysts, GIS staff, and field personnel to resolve issues and create timely, accurate, and defensible client deliverables.
• Participate in internal and client meetings; present technical information in clear written and oral formats for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 4–8 years of experience involving broadband, telecommunications, network systems, GIS and mapping workflows, infrastructure analysis, technical consulting, or public-sector broadband program support.
• Expert understanding of broadband technologies, including fiber and fixed wireless systems, and the ability to apply that knowledge in an advisory and analytical setting.
• Familiarity with working network environments, including PON (GPON / XGS-PON) and/or DOCSIS concepts as well as a working knowledge of wireless network infrastructure, technologies, and spectrum use.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, network-related materials, broadband availability and serviceability information, and ISP-submitted program data (including evidence used for verification and challenge processes).
• Experience working with spreadsheets and structured datasets, with strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with a minimum of 4-6 years of broadband network design/engineering primarily as a consultant.
• Certifications in network engineering design or related fields preferred but not required.
• Experience supporting state broadband offices, public-sector telecommunications programs, or federally/state-funded broadband initiatives.
• Familiarity or experience with the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Capital Projects Fund (CPF) broadband programs, grant administration support, field validation, and other compliance-oriented activities.
• Experience reviewing broadband funding applications and the associated project-area information, risk indicators, scoring inputs, or technical support materials.
• Working knowledge of satellite communications, especially as related to the BEAD program.
• Experience using GIS tools such as ArcGIS or QGIS in support of location, project-area, or serviceability analysis.
• Experience developing procedures, guidance documents, or training materials for technical or field-based teams.
• Ability to translate technical broadband concepts into clear advisory guidance for clients, project teams, and public-sector stakeholders.

Pay

The approximate compensation range for this position is $69,731 to $100,692. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability insurance
• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits