As a Senior Network Engineer, you will play a critical role in the planning, deployment, and ongoing performance of our FTTx XGS-PON access, transport, and core network infrastructure. You will play a key role in the design and execution of network initiatives, ensuring timely, resource-efficient implementations and rigorous testing to meet performance expectations. In parallel, you will monitor network health, troubleshoot complex issues, and drive continuous optimization to maintain high availability and service level agreement (SLA) compliance. Your technical expertise will be essential in fostering operational excellence, supporting cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring team members to elevate the organization’s overall network capabilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitor performance and availability of the access, core, and transport infrastructure using advanced network monitoring platforms.
• Proactively identify, diagnose, and resolve network issues to minimize downtime and ensure compliance with SLAs.
• Analyze network performance data to drive capacity planning, service optimization, and automation initiatives for improved efficiency.
• Lead the coordination and resolution of network incidents and problems, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Manage escalations and ensure timely resolution of issues identified through monitoring or reported by end users.
• Execute planned changes—such as firmware upgrades, configuration modifications, and hardware replacements—using formal change control processes.
• Collaborate with architects and stakeholders to design scalable, reliable, and high-performance network solutions across the access, core, and transport layers.
• Develop and present Proof of Concepts for new network technologies and infrastructure strategies.
• Conduct rigorous testing and verification of deployed network systems to ensure compliance with performance and reliability standards.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation including detailed network diagrams, equipment inventories, test plans, procedures, and configuration records.
• Enforce security best practices to safeguard network infrastructure against threats and unauthorized access.
• Ensure operational adherence to regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors to resolve hardware and software issues, coordinate support, and manage upgrades.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment, seamless execution, and operational readiness across all phases of network initiatives.
• Support the development of customer-driven products and service roadmaps that enhance satisfaction and meet evolving demands.
• Serve as a senior technical resource and mentor to junior engineers and peers, promoting technical knowledge, sharing, and professional development.
• Provide training on procedures, technologies, and best practices to ensure team consistency and growth.
• Work in a round-the-clock environment, 365 days a year, to promptly address critical technical operational emergencies as part of an on-call rotation.
• Maintains/obtains industry-standard certifications and education as required/preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Proven experience as a Network Engineer, preferably in a service provider environment with responsibility for access, transport, and/or core networks. Experience with FTTx and XGS-PON technologies is strongly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of XGS-PON network architecture, protocols, and standards, including provisioning, performance tuning, and fault isolation within a production environment.
• Strong understanding of IP networking concepts, including routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), MPLS, switching, VLANs, subnetting, and QoS. Familiarity with carrier-grade network design and business-class service delivery is a plus.
• Proficient with MPLS traffic engineering.
• DHCP and DNS administration.
• Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP).
• Understanding of IPv4 and IPv6 addressing fundamentals.
• Strong technical, analytical, and organizational skills associated with design and implementation of complicated service provider architectures and applications.
• Experience with network monitoring and management tools for fault detection, performance monitoring, and capacity planning.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting network issues using tools such as packet captures, log analysis, and network diagnostic utilities.
• Familiarity with network security principles and best practices.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex network issues.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Familiarity with Python, or other such scripting languages.
• Flexibility to participate in on-call rotations, work evenings/weekends/holidays, and travel between sites as required.

External Relationships:

Subscribers - While your primary focus may be on network operations, you may occasionally interact with customers, especially in cases of escalated issues or major outages. Maintaining a customer-centric approach and providing excellent service will be a priority.

Industry Associations – Participating in industry associations and forums related to telecommunications and networking can provide valuable networking opportunities, access to industry best practices, and updates on emerging technologies and trends.

Service Providers – You may work closely with external service providers, such as ISPs (Internet Service Providers) or telecommunication companies, to ensure seamless connectivity and troubleshoot network-related issues.

Contractors – Collaborate with contractors necessary to coordinate network upgrades, repairs, and expansions. 

Technical Support – Collaborate with external technical support teams to assist in troubleshooting complex network issues or providing specialized expertise.

Required Education and Experience:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field. Relevant certifications, such as CCNP, JNCIP, or equivalent, are highly desirable.

Experience: Five (5)+ years with a bachelor’s degree, or ten(10)+ years of equivalent experience without a degree.

Working Conditions:

• Working inside and outside during regular hours.  Regular work schedule is Monday through Friday.
• Occasional weekends, evening work, and holidays may be required to meet customer needs.
• Normal safety precautions and practices are required.
• Position may require travel outside the service area from time to time.

Physical Effort and Dexterity:

• Frequent physical activity includes sitting at a desk for prolonged periods of time, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, and carrying materials up to 25 pounds without assistance.
• You will need to walk across different types of terrain, including outdoor areas where the network infrastructure is located. This may involve walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, or maneuvering around obstacles.  

Machines, Tools, and Equipment:

• Capable of operating a personal computer and related software. Must be able to operate office equipment and telecommunications equipment.

Visual Acuity, Hearing, and Speaking:

• Able to review and analyze data and enter information into software platforms with accuracy.
• Must be able to interpret network status indicators (including color-coded interfaces) accurately.
• Actively listen to and understand verbal instructions and contribute effectively.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance.

Note: This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Management retains the right to assign or reassign duties and/or responsibilities at any time.

About White River Connect

The White River Valley Electric Cooperative's headquarters are in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, just outside the city limits of Branson, Missouri. Our origins trace back to 1935 when the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) was created to bring comforts to rural Americans – like electric lights to extend the day. While the White River Valley Electric Cooperative of today continues to invest in its electrical infrastructure to ensure the same comforts to our rural communities, we are also investing in the future of our communities in which we serve by bringing broadband to all our members. White River Connect, LLC was formed to build a world-class fiber network that will transform our rural communities just as our Cooperative's founders did with electricity 85 years ago.

Connections working at White River Connect