Manager, Outside Plant Engineering

IQ Fiber; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

IQ Fiber is seeking a Manager, Outside Plant Engineering based in Gainesville with about 40% travel to the Jacksonville market. You will oversee planning, design, and execution of OSP construction and maintenance, guiding cross-functional teams to deploy fiber networks safely and efficiently.

This hands-on leadership role requires deep technical knowledge of fiber construction, splicing, network architecture, and OSP documentation practices, supporting a 24/7/365 operation with after-hours

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in engineering or related field required or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of fiber construction experience.
• Strong knowledge of fiber networks, splicing, and OSP documentation.
• Experience managing outside plant contractors and invoicing, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead an OSP team of Supervisors and Technicians, including hiring and performance evaluation policies.
• Train team in splicing, troubleshooting, and OSP documentation processes.
• Oversee FTTP construction projects and field surveys for aerial and underground facilities.
• Manage contractor work, invoicing, quality, and documentation across projects.
• Ensure OSHA safety standards and regulatory compliance across all activities.
• Provide 24/7/365 operational support, including after-hours and weekend coverage.
• Provide administrative support including reporting, budgeting, and cross-functional coordination.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Associate degree in Engineering technology

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

IQ Fiber was built to do internet differently. We're a 100% fiber-optic internet provider with a simple mission: To engineer a smarter internet experience. That means internet that's fast, reliable, and simply priced, backed by real humans who answer when you call and solve problems before you know they exist.

We bring that same thinking to how we build our company. Our teammates are a big part of what makes IQ Fiber different, and we believe how we work matters just as much as what we deliver. We're looking for good humans who bring great ideas, raise the bar with every task, and want to be part of a bigger story. Your work matters here.

Location:

Based out of our Gainesville office, with approximately 40% travel to our Jacksonville market.

Position Summary

IQ Fiber is seeking a Manager, Outside Plant Engineering responsible for overseeing the planning, design, and execution of outside plant (OSP) construction and maintenance activities. This role leads cross-functional teams and contractors to ensure high-quality fiber network deployment, operational efficiency, and compliance with regulatory and safety standards, while supporting a 24/7/365 operation.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role that requires deep technical knowledge of fiber construction, splicing, network architecture, and OSP documentation practices.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage an OSP team of Supervisors, Fiber Technicians, Engineers, Locators, and Construction Technicians, including hiring, mentoring, performance evaluation, and disciplinary action as needed.
• Train team members and build competencies in splicing techniques, troubleshooting, network architecture, documentation requirements, and end-to-end OSP processes.
• Oversee the planning and execution of FTTP construction projects, including field surveys of aerial and underground facilities, cost development for MDU, commercial, and ROE properties, and fiber architecture installation in multi-tenant buildings.
• Manage OSP construction activities across in-house and contract resources, overseeing contractor invoicing, quality of work, and documentation.
• Lead the restoration of all outside plant repairs and support network troubleshooting, managing system performance and responding to customer inquiries as needed.
• Enforce IQ Fiber's OSP splicing, construction, and fiber optic documentation methods, procedures, and policies.
• Ensure continuous compliance with OSHA safety standards and NCTA and FCC regulations.
• Respond to the needs of a 24/7/365 operation, including after-hours and weekend work, staying in service during outages until resolved, and supporting emergency schedules during natural disasters and network events.
• Provide administrative and project management support, including reporting, budgeting, and cross-functional coordination.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in engineering or a related technical field preferred, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in a fiber construction environment.
• Advanced knowledge of network engineering, optical networks, and aerial and underground construction techniques.
• Deep familiarity with splicing, troubleshooting, and OSP documentation practices.
• Experience managing outside plant contractors, including quality oversight, invoicing, and compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Proficiency with trouble ticketing systems and Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent construction projects.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record, maintained throughout employment.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check, consumer report, and drug screening.
• Ability to support a 24/7/365 operation, including emergency response, after-hours and weekend work, mandatory overtime, and work during natural disasters and network outages.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle confidential information, including personnel matters, with integrity and sound judgment.

Physical Requirements

• Visual acuity, including close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Good hand-eye coordination.

What Success Looks Like

• OSP engineering and field teams are well-led and developed, with a high-performance culture built on consistent coaching, technical development, and clear accountability.
• Fiber network projects are planned and executed efficiently, with construction, splicing, and installations completed on time, within budget, and to IQ Fiber quality standards.
• Network reliability and performance are maintained, with restoration activities led decisively to minimize service disruptions for customers.
• Contractor performance is actively managed, with quality, compliance, and accurate documentation upheld across all outside plant activities.
• Safety, regulatory, and company standards are consistently met, with OSHA, NCTA, FCC, and internal requirements followed without exception across all field and construction activities.

IQ Fiber is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.