Outside Plant Engineer

Pearce Services; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 49,593 - 52,348; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Company vehicle

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A leading telecommunications infrastructure company is seeking an experienced Outside Plant (OSP) Engineer in Rockford, IL. The role involves designing and planning outside plant facilities for both copper and fiber networks, ensuring compliance with engineering standards and permitting regulations. Candidates should have 3–5+ years of hands-on engineering experience, strong project management skills, and proficiency in relevant engineering tools. This full-time role offers competitive compensation, including performance bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of hands-on experience in copper and fiber optic network engineering.
• Minimum 5 years in network engineering or OSP-related work, including permitting.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Design and plan outside plant facilities for copper and fiber infrastructure.
• Prepare and review engineering drawings and calculations.
• Ensure designs meet permitting regulations and engineering standards.

Skills

Hands-on experience in copper and fiber optic network engineering

Project management

Communication skills

Collaboration with municipal officials

Tools

FROGS

Varasset

SiteTracker

Job description

Join the nation’s leading independent service provider for critical telecommunications and renewable energy infrastructure. With over 2,500 team members nationwide, Pearce delivers comprehensive engineering, maintenance, repair, and repowering solutions to ensure seamless operation of wireless and wireline telecom, commercial and utility‑scale solar and wind projects, EV charging stations, and large‑scale power generation, critical power and energy storage assets.

Your Impact

Pearce is seeking a detail‑oriented and experienced Outside Plant (OSP) Engineer to support telecommunications infrastructure projects. This role focuses on the design, planning, and implementation of OSP projects involving copper and fiber networks.

Core Responsibilities

Engineering & Design

• Design and plan outside plant facilities for copper and fiber infrastructure (aerial, buried, conduit).
• Prepare and review engineering drawings, loop loss calculations, and switch serving area designs.
• Conduct field measurements for poles, conduits, and buried facilities to support network design.
• Develop project budgets, monitor actual costs, and conduct job inspections for quality assurance.

Permitting & Compliance

• Prepare, organize, and submit permit packages to relevant agencies (Township, County, State, DNR, Railroad, Pipeline, etc.).
• Ensure designs meet permitting regulations and engineering standards.

Field Coordination

• Meet with municipal and government officials to coordinate around road projects (travel required; mileage reimbursed).
• Collaborate with other utilities to coordinate relocations, minimize conflicts, and avoid project delays.
• Support service orders, subdivision expansions, road relocations, dark fiber MDUs, and more.
• Update FROGS (CAD), Varasset, and SiteTracker tools as required.

Project & Construction Support

• Coordinate with SSP contractors to ensure timely and budget‑conscious project completion.
• Assist with make‑ready work and joint‑use coordination for Frontier‑owned poles.
• Conduct site surveys, support PUC complaint investigations, and create capital projects (e.g., for cell towers or plant repairs).
• Address and resolve plant damage requests (DOR/PDR), cable count changes, and other network service needs.

Administrative Support

• Maintain records, update engineering files, and process departmental documentation.
• Draft and type correspondence, reports, and engineering support documents.

Core Experience

• 3–5+ years of hands‑on experience in copper and fiber optic network engineering.
• Minimum 5 years in network engineering or OSP‑related work, including permitting and fiber record management.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Frontier engineering tools and systems, including FROGS, Varasset, and SiteTracker.
• Skilled in communication and collaboration with municipal officials, utility companies, contractors, and cross‑functional teams.
• In‑depth knowledge of permitting procedures and OSP construction practices.
• Willingness to travel locally for fieldwork and meetings (mileage reimbursed).
• Must reside within 1 hour of Freeport, IL, to support regional field requirements.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Pay Range: $36 + USD – $38 + USD.

• Competitive wages plus performance and referral bonuses, production incentives, tool/equipment and fuel stipends, company vehicle, per diem, or other applicable compensation.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health and life insurance, 401‑K with employer match, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and professional development courses.
• Paid vacation and paid holidays.
• Company matching 401(k) Retirement, Life Insurance, Tuition reimbursement, and professional development training.
• Company vehicle, phone, laptop, or tablet along with all necessary tools and safety equipment for the role.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time