Network Engineer, Optical Deployment

Meta; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 135,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta seeks an Optical Deployment & Support Engineer to plan and execute deployments for its world-class optical backbone. You will own deployment planning, implementation, and scaling of Meta's AI network infrastructure across edge, backbones, and data centers.

You will lead end-to-end deployment activities, mentor team members, and drive continuous improvement in engineering processes while collaborating with multiple orgs to achieve strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant technical field.
• 6+ years of Network Engineering experience including deployment or migration of production networks.
• 3+ years experience in Optical Network Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment architecture and execution for ENS projects, aligning with organizational goals.
• Provide hands-on design, deployment, migration, code reviews, and troubleshooting for large-scale programs.
• Execute six-month to multi-year roadmaps to support growth while delivering results.
• Apply reliability, scalability, and performance standards to all deliverables.
• Collaborate across Network Engineering, Data Center, Network Investments, and Planning teams for successful delivery.
• Deploy, migrate and support global production network including edge, backbone, and data center infrastructure.
• Mentor and onboard new team members to raise overall technical capability.
• Travel 10% to 30%.

Skills

Network Engineering

Optical Networking

Routing & Switching

Data Center Design

Vendor Liaison

Project Leadership

Automation Tools

AI Tools Integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Python

Go

Job description

Meta is looking for an Optical Network Deployment & Support Engineer to join the team responsible for planning and executing network deployments to build one of the world's largest optical backbone networks. In this role, you will have a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge Optical and IP networking technologies owning the deployment planning, implementation, and scaling of Meta's AI network infrastructure.

Network Engineer, Optical Deployment Responsibilities:

• Lead the technical deployment, architecture, and execution for your team’s projects within Edge Network Services (ENS) on network deployment, ensuring alignment with organizational direction and goals
• Provide hands-on technical contributions (design, deployment, migrate, code reviews, troubleshooting, etc.) on large scale complex programs demonstrating domain expertise and technical impact
• Contribute to strategic objectives by executing six-month to multi-year roadmaps that support business growth and transformation. Balance high-level strategic direction with hands-on leadership to deliver results across a broad portfolio of initiatives
• Apply established engineering standards for reliability, scalability, and performance to deliverables, driving continuous improvement in engineering processes and technical quality
• Collaborate cross-functionally across Network Engineering, Data Center, Network Investments, and Planning teams to ensure successful execution of shared goals on network delivery
• Deploy, migrate and support our global production network including edge, backbone, and data center infrastructure
• Mentor and onboard new team members, raising the team’s overall technical acumen and building internal community
• 10% to 30% of travel

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• 6+ years of Network Engineering, including hands-on responsibility for planning, building, deployment or migrating production network environments
• 3+ years experience working in Optical Network Engineering
• Hands-on experience with enterprise and carrier class routing, switching, and optical transport platforms
• Knowledge of data center design and operational best practices
• Proven experience leading and executing network deployment and migration projects
• Experience interacting with vendors and external parties to drive projects to completion

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with process improvement and systems development, leveraging automation to streamline repetitive workflows
• Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
• Experience in data center, edge, or large-scale network environments
• Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
• Proficiency in automation (Python, Go, etc.) and network configuration management tooling
• Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

$135,000/year to $191,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.