Fiber Optic Transport Engineer

State of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 46,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) or Pension Hybrid plan

Paid holidays and time off

Dental & Vision

Job summary

Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) seeks a Fiber Optic Transport Engineer to manage the statewide ITS network’s physical layer. You will lead the architecture, design, provisioning, and advanced troubleshooting of high-capacity optical transport systems to ensure capacity, redundancy, and low latency for critical transportation services statewide.

You will coordinate with design consultants, maintain fiber management data and GIS maps, publish content, and author network documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer/Telecommunications Engineering or related field, plus four years of professional experience in a related technical area.
• Experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, provisioning, and troubleshooting of high-capacity optical transport systems (Layer 1–3).
• Design fiber paths and monitoring systems; mitigate threats and intrusion.
• Coordinate fiber designs and device configurations with design consultants; prepare splice details and test documentation.
• Maintain fiber management databases and publish GIS mapping content; build visualization tools.

Skills

Optical Transport Protocols

Fiber Testing

Geospatial GIS

Network Documentation

Technical Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer/Telecommunications Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD Drafting

ESRI ArcGIS

Bentley OpenComms

Job description

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is seeking a forward-thinking, highly motivated professional with strong technical expertise and communication skills. As a Fiber Optic Transport Engineer, you will manage the physical layer of the statewide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Network.

About The Role

In this role, you will lead the architecture, design, provisioning, and advanced troubleshooting of high-capacity Layer 1, 2, and 3 optical transport systems. You will play a vital role in ensuring that UDOT's backbone network provides the capacity, redundancy, and low latency necessary to support critical transportation systems statewide.

Position Information

• Salary Range: $33.37 - $59.01
• FT/PT Status: Full Time
• Background Check: You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
• Schedule Code: B - Competitive Career Service (12 month probationary period)
• Location: Traffic Operations Center, 2060 South 2760 West, Salt Lake
• Application Deadline: 09/29/2026

Key Responsibilities

• Network Architecture & Planning
  • Analyze statewide fiber and communication needs, contribute to future system improvements, and assist with long-term system planning.
  • Design fiber paths and monitoring systems to mitigate physical and optical threats (e.g., detecting fiber bends or unauthorized intrusion).
  • Facilitate fiber optic designs and device configurations between UDOT and design consultants.
  • Prepare splice details, connection test sheets, and acceptance testing documentation.
• Database & GIS Mapping Management
  • Maintain and update fiber management, Fiber Channel As-Built, and IP plan databases.
  • Manage UDOT fiber mapping using ESRI and Bentley OpenComms platforms.
  • Publish GIS mapping content and build custom visualization tools on the UPLAN platform.
• Coordination & Operations
  • Direct major fiber cutover operations and respond to system updates.
  • Partner with UDOT Regions to coordinate Blue Stakes utility locating and permitting.
  • Collaborate with local government entities, state agencies, and external consultants.
  • Develop clear network documentation, including concepts, user guides, training manuals, and database queries.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following criteria:

• A Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, Geography/GIS, Information Systems, or a related field, plus four (4) years of professional experience in a related technical area.
  • Note: Directly related professional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis (e.g., 8 years of total related experience if no degree is held).

Preferred Qualifications

Our ideal candidate is someone who possess:

• Advanced Optical Networking: Hands-on proficiency in configuring and optimizing multi-vendor optical networking hardware.
• CAD Drafting: Demonstrated proficiency with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drafting tools for network planning.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

In order to be successful, familiarity with or a willingness to learn the following is essential:

• Optical Transport & Protocols: Thorough understanding of Optical Transport Networks (OTN), segment routing, and Layer 1–3 protocols across multi-vendor hardware platforms.
• Fiber Testing & Diagnostics: Mastery of active fiber metrics, including the ability to analyze advanced OTDR trace data and troubleshoot long-distance signal degradation.
• Geospatial Expertise: Practical understanding of GIS concepts and mapping tools, specifically ESRI/ArcGIS, Bentley OpenComms, or related spatial platforms.
• Network Documentation: Ability to author detailed technical guides, training manuals, database queries, and system architecture concepts.
• Technical Collaboration: Strong communication skills with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with regional teams, external consultants, and government agencies.

Why You Should Join Our Team

A Mission That Matters – At the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), our mission is to “Enhance quality of life through transportation." We help the traveling public get where they want, when they want, as safely as possible. By joining our team, you contribute to the framework of Good Health, Connected Communities, Better Mobility, and a Strong Economy for all of Utah.

Our Culture and Values – We aren't just a state agency; we are a team built on an internal culture of Trust, Teamwork, and Flexibility. We live by the values of Respect, Integrity, and Caring. If these values resonate with you, you will find a home here!

The Agency

For more information on the Utah Department of Transportation, click here.

Benefits At a Glance

• Exceptional Health Coverage: We offer some of the most competitive medical premiums in the industry, including comprehensive family plans with very low out‑of‑pocket costs and HSA options.
• Retirement Choice: Flexibility between a 10% employer-paid 401(k) (no match required) or a Pension/401(k) Hybrid plan.
• Generous Paid Time Off: 12 paid holidays per year plus 8 hours of combined leave (4 annual and 4 sick) accrued each pay period.
• Dental & Vision: Multiple high-quality plan options to fit your needs.

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].