Network Solutions Engineer, On-site: Scott Air Force Base, IL

Overview

Ciena Government Solutions is seeking a Network Solutions Engineer to provide onsite support for a key customer and project, serving as the local subject matter expert for test planning, implementation and interoperability of Ciena products within the customer's legacy network.

What you'll do

• Collaborate with customers and stakeholders to understand project requirements and provide support for network architecture design and implementation.
• Develop and execute test plans to validate equipment functionality, interoperability, security, and performance based on customer requirements.
• Translate test results into actionable implementation plans and provide expert engineering support during deployment, including Layer-0, Layer-1, and Layer-2.
• Perform pre-commissioning activities in customer labs or staging facilities, including equipment inventory assessments against the final Ciena Bill of Materials (BOM).
• Perform initial commissioning of Ciena systems based on provided documentation.
• Support greenfield network implementation by commissioning equipment, optimizing span/channel parameters, and ensuring seamless deployment.
• Turn up network services following Ciena best practices, including end-to-end circuit testing to ensure error-free operation.
• Perform basic electrical tasks and determine when specialized contractors are required.
• Provide customer guidance and operational training on Ciena Network Management Systems (NMS), including enrolling network elements, creating device profiles, configuring backups, and provisioning services.
• Escalate and resolve issues with Ciena platforms in accordance with Ciena procedures.
• Collaborate with customer and internal technical teams to analyze optical performance and escalate anomalies to appropriate stakeholders.
• Deliver accurate documentation for configuration, provisioning, and testing results as part of project deliverables.

What you'll need

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Active Secret Security Clearance (Top Secret preferred).
• Ability to work independently (self-starter) and in a team environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with Ciena products.
• Strong understanding of SONET, DWDM, and ROADM/nOADM architecture, including provisioning and implementation.
• Ethernet architecture, provisioning, and implementation.
• IP/MPLS/L3 protocols, including MPLS-TP.
• Familiarity with Network Management Systems (NMS), including Ciena MCP/Navigator.
• 10+ years of experience with low-speed network access interfaces and terminations (e.g., sub-T-1, DS0, T1, E-1, DS-3, OC-3, OC-12, OC-48).
• Knowledge of fiber optics, including ISP (patches and connectors) and OSP (fiber characterization and OTDR familiarity).
• Ability to work in a lab environment.
• Ability to read and follow network diagrams, cabling guides, and signal flow diagrams.
• A diverse Telecommunications background, strong hands-on technical experience, and organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to assist team members with other projects as required.
• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Networking, or a related technical field (equivalent experience in a related field will be considered in lieu of a degree).
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Nice to have

• Hands-on expertise with Ciena 6500 DWDM/OTN and Route Switch platforms, including Ciena Site Manager, MCP/Navigator software, and Service-Aware Operating System (SAOS).
• Experience with legacy SONET and TDM systems, including OCx, DS1, and DS3 circuits, plus TDM BER testing practices and test plan development.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and optimize network performance in both lab and field environments.
• Proficiency in documenting network configurations, including rack face diagrams, signal flow diagrams, cable run lists, migration cut sheets, and as-built network diagrams for customer deliverables.
• Ability to provide customer training on operational use of Ciena Site Manager and Navigator, including enrolling network elements, creating device profiles, configuring backups, provisioning services, performing software upgrades, troubleshooting network issues, and analyzing network performance and conducting maintenance activities.

Details

• Work location: Onsite at Scott AFB, IL (not a remote position).
• Pay range in the USA: $100,600.00 - $160,800.00 annually.