AI Connect Engineer

Verizon; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary

401(k) matching

Job summary

Verizon seeks an Outside Plant Engineer in a hybrid role in the United States to drive end-to-end deployment of network infrastructure, including data center interconnectivity and long-haul projects. You will lead site acquisition, manage vendors, and ensure regulatory compliance while coordinating with real estate, network planning, and PSC teams. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree or 4+ years in OSP/fiber engineering, a valid driver's license, and willingness to travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or four+ years of relevant experience in OSP/fiber engineering, construction, or site acquisition/real estate.
• Valid driver's license.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 25%.

Responsibilities

• Design, engineer, and maintain outside plant infrastructure, including fiber installations; lead infrastructure expansions.
• Manage site acquisition processes and regulatory permits with real estate partners.
• Coordinate with vendors and internal teams to align construction with activation targets and budgets.
• Ensure compliance with regulations; liaison with landlords, officials, and contractors.
• Provide guidance to junior engineers and oversee cross-functional coordination.

Skills

Outside Plant engineering practices

Network construction

Site acquisition

Autonomy

Team player

Leadership abilities

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

When you join Verizon

You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely - even if they're daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love - driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together - lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.

What you'll be doing...

As an Outside Plant Engineer, you will play a pivotal, end-to-end role in the successful deployment of our AI Connect Ultra Long Haul Network by driving the engineering, real estate acquisition, and construction of In Line Amplification (ILA) and Outside Plant (OSP) infrastructure. In this highly cross-functional position, your responsibility revolves around conceptualizing project plans and driving timelines for key business initiatives, such as Data Center Interconnectivity (DCI) and Verizon Long Haul Infrastructure. You will have the autonomy to select and implement optimal deployment strategies while working closely with Global Real Estate, Network Planning, Power/Space/Cooling (PSC), AI Connect, VBG Sales, and multiple external vendors to ensure seamless execution of the network build.

• Design, engineer, and maintain outside plant infrastructure. Conduct route analyses for underground and aerial fiber optic installations. Conduct site walks with contractors to ensure construction, power, and fiber requirements are met. Lead strategic infrastructure expansions in Central Offices and Technical Facilities.
• Analyze potential site locations, create business cases for site acquisition, and act as a 5G MLA Real Estate project specialist to obtain and track all necessary construction-related permits.
• Manage external vendors and purchasing during site acquisition and construction to ensure schedules align with activation targets. Develop service order requirements for internal and external customers. Provide regular updates on construction progress, changes, and risks to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Act as the primary interface between landlords, government employees, community officials, legal counsel, and building contractors.
• Provide guidance to junior OSP engineers to monitor infrastructure and troubleshoot/repair fiber and equipment issues. Direct internal departments and coordinate efforts to ensure the best outcomes.

What we're looking for...

You know a lot about outside plant engineering practices, network construction, and site acquisition. You enjoy analyzing complex deployment problems and have the autonomy to implement the right solutions. While you work well independently, you are also a great team player who excels at managing moving parts across multiple disciplines.

You'll need to have:

• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.
• Four or more years of relevant experience, demonstrated through work experience and/or military experience (specifically in OSP/fiber engineering, construction, or site acquisition/real estate).
• A valid driver's license.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 25% of the time.

Even better if you have one or more of the following:

• A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Facility/Construction Management, or a related technical/STEM field.
• Deep knowledge of Outside Plant Engineering practices, Hi-Capacity Services, FTTC, FTTP, FIOS, Network Transformation, and CORE procedures.
• Experience in A&E design, as well as Engineering and Network Assurance standards.
• Strong planning, time management, and multitasking skills with a track record of driving complex project timelines.
• Exceptional leadership abilities with strong interpersonal and communication skills for navigating regulatory and community stakeholders.

If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every "even better" qualification listed above.

If you believe this job posting is missing information required by the Virginia wage or salary range transparency law, please report it via [e-mail].

Where you'll be working

In this hybrid role, you'll have a defined work location that includes working from home and a minimum of three days per week in the office, which will be set by your manager. Employees are responsible for maintaining compliance with hybrid work policies.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Equal Employment Opportunity

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Benefits and Compensation

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we've got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.

The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is an incentive based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours.The annual salary range for the location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $87,000.00 - $157,000.00.The annual salary range for the Illinois location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $96,000.00 - $157,000.00.Verizon will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative.Verizon will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.