Fiber Engineering Manager

About the role

Viaero is seeking an Engineering Manager to build, scale, and internalize its fiber network engineering and design division. This role is responsible not only for managing current in-house CAD designers and field engineers, but for intentionally expanding internal capabilities and reducing long-term reliance on third-party engineering vendors. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who wants to take ownership of a growing division-establishing processes, improving quality, mentoring talent, and scaling a team that supports Viaero’s long-term network growth. The Engineering Manager will oversee Viaero’s network footprint and play a key role in transforming engineering into a fully in-house, high-performing function.

Responsibilities

• Build & Scale the Engineering Division
  • Lead the growth and maturation of Viaero’s internal engineering and design team
  • Develop workflows, standards, and best practices to support a fully in-house model
  • Identify opportunities to bring outsourced engineering work in-house over time
  • Partner with leadership on headcount planning, capability gaps, and team structure
  • Create a sustainable, scalable engineering organization that supports long-term network expansion
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Manage and mentor in-house CAD designers and field engineers
  • Establish accountability, performance expectations, and career development paths
  • Foster a collaborative, in-office engineering culture
  • Build a team oriented toward long-term careers, not short-term project work
• Engineering Oversight & Quality Control
  • Review and approve conceptual and final fiber designs prior to permitting
  • Identify and eliminate design errors early to reduce rework and cost overruns
  • Ensure designs meet construction feasibility, safety, and regulatory requirements
  • Maintain consistency and quality across all design deliverables
• Contractor & Vendor Transition Management
  • Oversee third-party engineering firms during the transition to an in-house model
  • Review outsourced work for accuracy, compliance, and constructability
  • Serve as escalation point for vendor performance and quality issues
  • Gradually reduce dependence on outside vendors by building internal expertise
• Jurisdictional & Regulatory Coordination
  • Ensure early engagement with county, state, and municipal jurisdictions
  • Understand permitting, ROW, and local regulatory requirements
  • Build strong, long-term relationships with permitting authorities
  • Prevent late-stage redesigns caused by jurisdictional non-compliance
• Network Planning & Execution
  • Partner with leadership on Fiber route planning, easement acquisition, Network expansion strategy.
  • Support scalable network growth and long-term reliability initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Strong experience with AutoCAD Civil
• Background in fiber network design, telecommunications, utilities, or infrastructure engineering
• Proven experience building, scaling, or restructuring technical teams
• Demonstrated ability to transition work from vendors to internal teams
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-growth, and evolving environment
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience scaling engineering or design teams in-house
• Prior ownership of engineering workflows, standards, or departmental buildouts
• Familiarity with permitting, ROW processes, and jurisdictional coordination
• Experience supporting large-scale fiber or infrastructure buildouts