Director Network Engineering

Dobson Fiber; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Dobson Fiber seeks a Director of Network Engineering to lead planning, design, implementation, and lifecycle management of its fiber broadband network. You will guide transport, access, core, IP, and subscriber networks serving residential, business, and wholesale customers.

The role combines technical leadership with operational and financial accountability in a fast-growing FTTH environment, reporting to the CTO.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• 10+ years of telecommunications or broadband network engineering experience.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience managing technical teams.
• Experience with FTTH network deployment and operations.
• Experience designing and supporting carrier-grade IP networks.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale infrastructure projects and capital budgets.
• Experience designing and building commercial networks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute network engineering strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Create multi-year technology and capacity roadmaps supporting subscriber growth and service expansion.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend investments that improve performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Participate in executive planning, budgeting, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Establish network monitoring, performance metrics, and service-level objectives.
• Establish team goals, performance expectations, and accountability measures.
• Foster a culture of safety, innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

FTTH deployment

IP/MPLS networks

Budget management

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

The Director of Network Engineering is responsible for the planning, design, implementation, optimization, and lifecycle management of the company's fiber broadband network infrastructure. This role leads network engineering teams responsible for transport, access, core, IP, and subscriber service networks supporting residential, business, and wholesale customers.

The Director will develop network strategy, oversee capital projects, ensure network reliability and scalability, support business growth initiatives, and collaborate closely with Operations, Construction, Customer Experience, Sales, and Executive Leadership. This position combines technical leadership with operational and financial accountability in a rapidly growing FTTH environment.

Reports To:

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the company's network engineering strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Create multi-year technology and capacity roadmaps supporting subscriber growth and service expansion.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend investments that improve performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Participate in executive planning, budgeting, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Establish network monitoring, performance metrics, and service-level objectives.
• Establish team goals, performance expectations, and accountability measures.
• Foster a culture of safety, innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Network Architecture & Engineering

• Lead the design and evolution of:
  • FTTH access networks (GPON, XGS-PON, NG-PON2)
  • Core and aggregation IP/MPLS networks
  • Layer 2 and Layer 3 transport infrastructure
  • Residential and Commercial Platforms
  • IT Infrastructure
• Establish engineering standards, design guidelines, and documentation requirements.
• Oversee network capacity planning and performance engineering.
• Support disaster recovery and business continuity planning efforts.
• Maintain accurate network records and engineering documentation.

Fiber Network Expansion

• Collaborate with Construction and Outside Plant (OSP) teams on network expansion projects.
• Review network designs for scalability, resiliency, and cost effectiveness.
• Ensure efficient deployment of new markets, subdivisions, MDUs, and commercial developments.
• Support acquisition integration and network modernization initiatives.
• Manage relationships with network equipment manufacturers, software providers, and technology partners.
• Evaluate and select vendors through technical and financial assessment processes.
• Negotiate equipment standards and support agreements.
• Oversee proof-of-concept testing and technology evaluations.
• Develop and manage engineering budgets and capital expenditure plans.
• Prioritize projects based on business value and return on investment.
• Track project costs and ensure efficient use of company resources.
• Provide technical input for grant-funded and government-supported broadband initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, Information Technology, related field, or equivalent experience.

Experience

• 10+ years of telecommunications or broadband network engineering experience.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience managing technical teams.
• Experience with FTTH network deployment and operations.
• Experience designing and supporting carrier-grade IP networks.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale infrastructure projects and capital budgets.
• Experience designing and building commercial networks.