Network Production Engineer, Physical Network

Meta; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 162,000 - 227,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta’s LTD team designs the physical infrastructure for a rapidly scaling IP and optical backbone. We seek a network engineer to own Inside Plant and Outside Plant design for Backbone POPs and ILA huts, including structured cabling and fiber plant.

The role requires translating topology into rack layouts, power needs, and BOMs, collaborating with vendors and cross-functional teams to scale network topologies.

Qualifications

• 6+ years designing physical infrastructure / fiber-optic infrastructure (OSP and/or ISP) in telecom, backbone/transport, carrier or hyperscale environments.
• Strong knowledge of fiber fundamentals: single-mode vs multimode, LC/MPO connectors, fusion & ribbon splicing, optical-loss/OTDR testing, optical-budget basics.
• Ability to translate network/topology into physical build: rack elevations, power requirements, fiber counts, ODF/patch-panel layouts.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, engineer and implement scalable physical infrastructure for backbone POPs, self-built ILA sites and midpoints, including structured cabling and fiber-optic plant.
• Work with network engineering and sourcing teams to translate IP/optical topology into physical designs—rack layouts, space and power, fiber counts, splice plans, patch schedules.
• Own high-level site design standards and refresh them as topology/hardware evolve.
• Produce the material forecast and BOMs for manufacturers.
• Engage with vendors and ILA shelter manufacturers on components, harness/panel design, quality and supply.

Skills

Physical infrastructure design

Fiber optics

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Telecommunications Engineering

Tools

Python

Job description

Summary:

Meta’s Long-Term Design & Delivery (LTD) team designs the physical infrastructure that carries a rapidly scaling IP and optical backbone. We are looking for a network engineer with solid experience on structured-cabling/physical-infrastructure design to own Inside Plant (ISP) and Outside Plant (OSP) design for Backbone Points of Presence (POPs) and ILA (Inline Amplifier) huts.

Required Skills:

Network Production Engineer, Physical Network Responsibilities:

1. Architect, design, engineer and implement scalable physical infrastructure for backbone POPs, self-built ILA sites and midpoints, including structured cabling and fiber-optic plant: ODFs, fiber trunks, harnesses, ToR/patch panels, raceways and containment, rack layouts, PDUs
2. Work closely with our network engineering and sourcing teams to translate IP and optical / network topology into physical designs — rack layouts, space and power requirements, power delivery, fiber counts, splice plans, patch schedules — within site constraints
3. Own high-level site design standards and refresh them as topology and hardware evolve
4. Produce the material forecast and BOMs for the manufacturers
5. Engage with vendors (e.g., Amphenol, CommScope, Prysmian, Corning) and with ILA shelter manufacturers on components, harness/panel design, quality, and supply to evolve and scale our network topologies
6. Produce engineering documentation and represent designs in cross-functional reviews (network engineering, deployment, site acquisition)
7. Support design-automation / tooling for BOMs, fiber-plant and rack space modeling where it is useful
8. Support and provide guidance to our site sourcing strategy on provider facilities and proposed floor plans against high-level site design standards requirements
9. Support and provide guidance to the delivery teams by reviewing low-level site design migration plans

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
2. 6+ years designing physical infrastructure / fiber-optic infrastructure (OSP and/or ISP) in telecom, backbone/transport, carrier or hyperscale environments
3. Strong knowledge of fiber fundamentals: single-mode vs multimode, connector types (LC/MPO), fusion & ribbon splicing, optical-loss / OTDR testing, and optical-budget basics
4. Proven ability to turn a network / optical design into a physical build — rack elevations, power requirements, fiber counts, ODF / patch-panel layouts, cable trays / containment, splice plans
5. Understanding of IP network hardware platforms and their specifications in the POP and data center space
6. Experience producing clear technical documentation and communicating across teams and with vendors to drive cross-functional decisions
7. Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Telecommunications Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Familiarity with optical line systems / DWDM physical layer and long-haul reach / spans
2. Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
3. 10+ years designing physical infrastructure in hyperscale environments
4. Scripting (Python) for design automation and experience in reading/using topology or GIS/route data
5. Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
6. Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)

Public Compensation:

$162,000/year to $227,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Industry:

Internet

Equal Opportunity:

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…? 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].