Network Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled IP Network Engineer to design, implement, and maintain a complex service provider (ISP) IP/MPLS network. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in IP routing and a demonstrated ability to handle complex network projects in a carrier-grade environment. This role focuses on optimizing the performance of high-capacity IP networks by ensuring scalability, reliability, and low latency across backbone, aggregation, and access layers.

Responsibilities

• Performs engineering activities with specific knowledge and skills associated with the following technologies:
  • IP Routing Protocols and technologies such as: OSPF, ISIS, BGP, MPLS-TE, QoS Capabilities
  • IP Backbone capacity management and traffic engineering (TE)
  • Core IP routing technologies and vendors, specifically Cisco and Nokia
  • IPv4 and IPv6 subnetting and address planning for large-scale ISP networks
• Develops and executes detailed network designs, specifications, and architectural plans for IP Backbone architectures in support of ISP and commercial service delivery infrastructure, including BGP, OSPF, RSVP, LDP, and quality of service architectures.
• Creates test plans; tests and validates functionality, management, and performance for existing and new technologies supporting metro, regional, and backbone IP networks.
• Designs and tests for IP service integration, including internet, VPN, VoIP, and video delivery services over IP/MPLS networks.
• Determines, tests, and validates code functionality to be used in the production network for all IP routers and various Ethernet switches across multiple vendors.
• Conducts equipment evaluations, equipment selection, pilot testing, and network designs to ensure reliability and scaled expansion of the network.
• Supports deployments of new IP services, systems, applications, and architectures with strict adherence to SLAs and change management policies.
• Partners with change management for impact identification, network validation, MOP creation, and execution of activities in a live production ISP network.
• Defines and compiles methods, procedures, and documentation to support personnel in the installation, maintenance, and removal of network equipment.
• Coordinates with regions to ensure the network is available and configured to exceed market demand and customer growth requirements.
• Applies best practices pertaining to router security design, including authentication, access lists, and control plane protection.
• Acts as an escalation from our NOC for critical network incidents and customer-impacting outages.
• Plans, designs, and engineers regional multi-state networks with Layer I, II, and III, as well as carrier-class MPLS, L2VPN, and L3VPN services.
• Evaluates and validates new equipment and software releases, and documents procedures for network implementation and workflows.
• Collaborates with the team to use open-source or standard systems to accelerate the development and deployment of new services and features in the production network.
• Diagnoses, troubleshoots, and documents issues related to the support, implementation, and management of a core network environment that includes Cisco IOS-XR and IOS.
• Provides engineering guidelines and network support to Fulfillment and Operations teams for deploying new hardware and services.
• Works closely with the Application Support team to gather new product requirements and define parameters for service activation.
• Performs failure analysis of hardware, software, and application-related issues impacting services, with a strong focus on delivering the best experience for all customers in a 24x7 ISP production environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or equivalent
• CCNP required or equivalent experience; CCIE a plus
• Experience working in a Service Provider / ISP environment supporting commercial or enterprise services
• Experience with routing and switching (BGP, OSPF, ISIS)
• Experience with MPLS-TE, L2VPN, L3VPN, and traffic engineering concepts
• Experience with IPv4 and IPv6
• Experience writing Engineering guidelines and procedures
• Familiarity with fiber optic technology and transport networks
• Scripting languages are recommended (such as BASH, Python, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work in a 24x7 operational environment with on-call rotation
• Proven ability to troubleshoot large-scale outages under pressure and meet SLA commitments

About Us

At Optimum, every action and interaction is driven by our three Guiding Principles: Do What’s Right, Drive One Optimum, and Make It Happen. These principles help us build trust, create real community, and embrace new ways of thinking. Our employees are empowered to do the right thing for our customers and co-workers and to recognize and reward these behaviors when we see them. It’s all part of the bigger picture of “Be The Difference” where each employee knows they have the power to enact real change, share new ideas, and understand that learning never stops.