Project Engineer

About the role

The Project Engineer is responsible for designing, standardizing, and delivering network projects that are deployable, supportable, and scalable. This role serves as the critical bridge between initial sales requirements and long-term operational stability, ensuring that every deployment is transitioned cleanly to the Network Operations Center (NOC).

Responsibilities

• Design & Engineering: Own the high-level and detailed designs for site topology (POP, access, backhaul), IP addressing, and VLAN schemes.
• Set the Standard: Create and maintain the "Gold Standard" for physical and logical builds—from which routers we use to how cables are labeled in the rack.
• Enable the Field: Support our installers by providing clear configuration files, Bill of Materials (BOM), and design clarifications.
• The "Clean Handoff": Ensure every project is 100% ready for the NOC. This means monitoring is active, documentation is stored, and management access is verified before you sign off.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify Line of Sight (LOS), power, or capacity risks before the first piece of hardware is ordered.
• Ownership: High-level and detailed network designs (MDF/IDF/POP, access, backhaul).
• Tasks: Translate expansion requirements into deployable designs; validate Line of Sight (LOS), throughput, and redundancy; manage IP addressing and VLAN design.
• Deliverables: Network diagrams, IP plans, and design approval sign-offs.
• Ownership: Physical and logical build standards and Bill of Materials (BOM) accuracy.
• Tasks: Define approved hardware/software (routers, radios, power, racks); enforce standards during project lifecycles; manage exceptions to prevent "snowflake" configurations.
• Deliverables: Standards documentation, approved hardware lists, and validated BOMs for procurement.
• Ownership: Engineering readiness and "as-built" validation.
• Tasks: Ensure equipment is configured and staged; provide design clarification to field installers; resolve technical roadblocks during deployment.
• Deliverables: Configuration files, updated "as-built" diagrams, and build validation sign-offs.
• Ownership: The engineering side of operational readiness.
• Tasks: Ensure monitoring and management access are enabled before project close; conduct formal handoff walkthroughs with the NOC team.
• Deliverables: Completed handoff checklists and task NOC acceptance sign-off.
• Ownership: Engineering risk visibility and scalability.
• Tasks: Identify capacity, power, and LOS risks early; review post-mortems to improve standards; recommend automation to reduce operational burden.
• Deliverables: Risk logs, design adjustments, and version-controlled standards updates.

Requirements

• Proven experience in WISP environments or large-scale wireless networking.
• Deep understanding of RF planning, routing/switching (MicroTik, Ubiquiti, Cisco, Juniper, HP etc.), and power systems.
• Proficiency in GIS tools, link budget calculators, and network documentation software.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of translating complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
• MikroTik: MTCNA/MTCRE
• Wireless Design: Ekahau Certified Solutions Engineer (ECSE) Design
• WiFi Operations/Troubleshooting: Ruckus Certified WiFi Associate (RWCA)
• Ubiquiti: UBWS/UBWA Specialist.
• Hardware: [e.g., MikroTik, Ubiquiti, Siklu, Ceragon, Avait, Juniper, Ruckus, Calix]
• Design: [e.g., Ekahau, Microsoft Suite, Visio, GoogleEarth]
• Monitoring: [e.g., Zabbix, UISP]

Qualifications

• Experience with GIS-based planning tools and network documentation software.
• A passion for eliminating "tribal knowledge" through version-controlled documentation.
• Strong technical skills in Layer 2/3 networking, specifically OSPF, Ethernet, and VLAN management.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

• Strong technical skills in Layer 2/3 networking, specifically OSPF, Ethernet, and VLAN management.
• Experience with GIS-based planning tools and network documentation software.
• A passion for eliminating "tribal knowledge" through version-controlled documentation.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.

Benefits

• Hourly pay of $25-$33/hour, depending on experience and skillset
• Health, Dental, and Vision benefits
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

Schedule

• M – F, in-office at least 3 days/week