OSP Engineer

IQ Fiber; Dover (DE); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

IQ Fiber is seeking an Outside Plant Engineer to support activation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of fiber optic network infrastructure in field environments. This hands-on role collaborates with Construction Coordinators, Fiber Splicers, and NOC teams to ensure reliable service and adherence to standards.

The position requires 2+ years in fiber deployment, FTTH knowledge, and ability to work after hours and on-call.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in engineering or related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years in outside plant engineering, fiber network deployment, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of fiber network architecture, design, splicing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with FTTH architectures and optical networks.
• Experience with network equipment including switches, routers, and OLTs.
• Proficiency with trouble ticketing systems and MS Office.
• Experience in telecom or fiber deployment environments is a plus.
• On-call readiness and ability to work after hours/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute service activations and configurations for commercial and enterprise network environments.
• Coordinate cable splicing and verify power levels across the fiber network.
• Perform OTDR readings, optical power measurements, and translate results into repair or optimization actions.
• Lead troubleshooting to diagnose and resolve outside plant and network issues with minimal disruption.
• Provide technical support to NOC and Network Engineering teams.
• Collaborate with Construction Coordinators, Fiber Splicers, NOC, and vendors to support operations.
• Manage firmware updates, patches, and equipment changes per change management protocols.
• Develop and maintain accurate fiber design and network architecture documentation.
• Adhere to OSHA safety requirements and IQ Fiber quality standards.
• Participate in 24/7 on-call rotation for outages and impairments.

Skills

Fiber network design

OTDR testing

Field maintenance

Troubleshooting

OLT equipment

Education

Bachelor's or Associate's degree in engineering

Equivalent experience

Tools

Trouble ticketing systems

Microsoft Office (Excel/Word)

Network monitoring tools

Splicing equipment

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.

Position Summary

IQ Fiber is seeking an Outside Plant Engineer responsible for supporting the activation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of fiber optic network infrastructure. This role ensures reliable network performance, successful service activations, and adherence to company and industry standards in partnership with Construction Coordinators, Fiber Splicers, and Network Operations teams. This is a hands-on, field-based individual contributor role.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Plan and execute service activations and configurations for commercial and enterprise network environments.
• Support distribution construction, coordinate cable splicing, and verify power levels across the fiber network.
• Conduct system testing, including OTDR readings, optical power measurements, and related diagnostics, and translate results into repair, optimization, or escalation actions.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts to diagnose and resolve outside plant and network issues while minimizing service disruption and customer impact.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to NOC and Network Engineering teams.
• Partner with Construction Coordinators, Fiber Splicers, NOC, Network Engineering, and external vendors to support network operations and activations.
• Manage firmware updates, patches, and equipment changes in accordance with change management protocols.
• Develop and maintain accurate technical documentation, including fiber design and network architecture records.
• Ensure all work meets IQ Fiber quality standards and OSHA safety requirements.
• Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation to respond to network outages and service impairments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of experience in outside plant engineering, fiber network deployment, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of fiber network architecture, fiber design, splicing techniques, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Proficiency in optical networks and FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) architecture.
• Experience working with network equipment, including switches, routers, and OLTs.
• Proficiency with trouble ticketing systems and Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word.
• Experience in telecommunications or fiber network deployment environments a plus.
• Experience supporting NOC operations or Tier III troubleshooting a plus.
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools and systems a plus.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work after hours and weekends and respond to emergency situations as needed.
• Ability to maintain on-call readiness within the assigned market.
• Ability to pass a background screening and driver's record check.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements

• Visual acuity, including close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

What Success Looks Like

• Service activations and network configurations for commercial and enterprise customers are executed accurately and on time, with clean handoffs and minimal post-activation rework.
• Fiber network infrastructure is proactively maintained, and issues are quickly diagnosed, clearly communicated, and resolved with minimal service disruption and customer impact.
• Network testing and validation using OTDR and power meters are accurate and consistent, with results correctly interpreted and translated into clear next steps.
• Collaboration with NOC, Network Engineering, and field operations is consistent and effective, with smooth field execution, timely escalations, and aligned priorities during incidents and activations.
• Safety, quality, and documentation standards are met every time, with OSHA and IQ Fiber requirements followed and work records kept complete, timely, and audit-ready.

IQ Fiber is an Affinitive 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.