Network Planning Engineer - Overland Park, KS

About the role

Cogent Communications is a global, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP, consistently ranked as one of the top five networks in the world and publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol CCOI. Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high-speed Internet access and Ethernet transport services. Cogent's facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides IP services globally. Since its inception, Cogent has delivered the benefits of IP technology, building one of the largest and highest capacity IP networks in the world. This network enables Cogent to offer large bandwidth connections at highly competitive prices. Cogent also provides superior customer support by virtue of its end-to-end control of service delivery and network monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Plan and engineer DWDM 10GE, 100GE, and 400GE optical transport networks in major metropolitan markets across North America.
• Evaluate and approve customer orders and determine network augmentation requirements.
• Prepare Bill of Materials (BoM) and Statement of Work (SOW) documentation for complex network growth and expansion projects.
• Analyze traffic patterns to inform network planning and future growth strategies.
• Drive automation through the development of network planning tools.
• Collaborate with Network Operations, Field Services, and Sales Engineering teams to support network build-outs and augmentations.
• Maintain accurate records of network capacity, inventory, and forecasted growth.
• Support the resolution of network capacity issues in coordination with cross-functional teams.

Requirements

• Planning and engineering of DWDM 10GE, 100GE, and 400GE optical transport networks in major metropolitan markets in North America.
• Evaluate & approve customer orders and determine network augmentation requirements.
• Prepare Bill of Materials (BoM) and Statement of Work (SOW) for complex network growth and expansion projects.
• Analyze traffic patterns to drive network inference into future growth strategies.
• Drive automation through network tool development.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Familiarity with 10GE, 100GE, and 400GE technologies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret traffic patterns and forecast network growth.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Skills

• Knowledge of optical transport network architecture and design principles.
• Understanding of network capacity planning and augmentation processes.
• Familiarity with network automation and scripting tools (e.g., Python) is a PLUS.
• Experience with network planning or inventory management software is a PLUS.
• Knowledge of IP/MPLS networking concepts is a PLUS.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Stock options
• Employee Assistance Program

Most benefits take effect within 30 days of employment, and some require a waiting period.

Pay

Starting / Initial Base Salary Pay Range: $70,000 - $90,000. Specific offers within the listed pay ranges are determined by a variety of factors such as experience, education, skills, certifications and business needs.