Senior Program Engineer (Facilities)

GCI Communication Corp; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

GCI is seeking a Senior Program Engineer to oversee engineering projects from conception to completion at our Anchorage-based facilities. You will lead technical programs, define scope, schedules and budgets, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective solutions that align with business goals.

The role emphasizes guiding architectural decisions, coordinating with program managers, architects, and operations, while ensuring compliance with industry

Qualifications

• Requires a combination of technical and program management expertise in engineering.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary projects across teams.
• Knowledge of IEEE/industry regulations and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead program planning, scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate with architects, project managers, and stakeholders to align execution.
• Provide guidance on architectural standards and lifecycle planning.
• Monitor risks, performance, and ensure on-time project delivery.
• Mentor junior staff and promote continuous improvement.
• Support post-implementation hand-off and operational integration.

Skills

Program management leadership

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Master’s degree in Engineering (preferred)

Job description

GCI's Senior Program Engineer will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating engineering projects from conception to completion. Manage technical aspects of programs, ensuring alignment with business goals, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality results on time and within budget. Serve as a technical leader and consultant in areas of expertise.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS:

Focus Areas –

Facilities

Additional Job Requirements:

This Facilities Senior Program Engineer 08 role supports the Engineering organization and the Facilities program, by defining and guiding the architectural needs, and frameworks that promote consistency and interoperability across domains. The role works closely with the Program Manager, the Architects & the delivery stakeholders to align the execution of the program & projects.

This role is to lead / coordinate & NOT deliver for Facilities Engineering. However it would be very important to understand all of those aspects

The Facilities Engineering team creates safe, highly available, and maintainable space, power, and HVAC designs and provide construction support to implement these designs in all facilities that house the GCI network. Additionally, Facilities Engineering provides engineering support for the Operations and Maintenance of the GCI facilities and infrastructure. Facilities Engineering provides review and oversight for all planned physical growth to the GCI network to ensure adequate infrastructure exists and is properly used to support changes to the network. Facilities Engineering designs cost effective solutions to meet the needs of all stakeholders of a project. These stake holders include the Project Sponsor, Project Originator and/or Engineer as well as Operations and Maintenance. Finally, Facilities Engineering maintains a space, power, and HVAC growth path within and external to the associated GCI facility.

SME level of knowledge in most of the following areas:

• Facilities Power Systems / Rectifiers

• Battery Backups

• HVAC Systems

• Physical Space

• Knowledge of Project Management Processes

• Providing guidance & approval for project Estimates / Program level Planning

Understanding of Typical Deliverables:

• AC/DC

• HVAC Calculations

• Compound Layout

• Shelter/Equipment Layout

• HVAC/Control Design

• DC Design

• AC Specification

• RFP scopes

• SOW scopes

• Design Engineering questions and answers

• IPAC

• IPAC Reviews

• Metasolv

• QA/QC and punch list

• Site Certification

Program Planning and Strategy

• Provide technical leadership, ensuring alignment and oversight for assigned programs, driving innovative and high-quality solutions which are in line with strategic goals and long-range technical plans.

• Develop and manage program plans, including scope, schedule, budget, and resource allocations, ensuring financial & service quality monitoring controls are in place.

• Define technical program objectives and success criteria in alignment with organizational goals and long-range plans, company culture and mission.

• Specify architectural standards, implementation requirements, ongoing support needs, and lifecycle management planning framework.

• Identify and mitigate program risks and issues.

• Optimize resource utilization to achieve program goals within budget constraints.

• Monitor and report on program technical execution & quality performance.

• Follow IEEE/Industry regulations, codes & standards, working at industry leading levels and following engineering discipline practices.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, legal regulations, and auditing.

Project Planning & Execution Support

• Support multiple technology projects from initiation to completion to operations hand-off as a support and escalation resource.

• Lead project engineers through major, multifaceted projects that span multiple departments and disciplines.

• Monitor project activities and provide strategic technical guidance and alignment within a specific program, as well as across the enterprise.

• Develop and validate engineering estimates, project plans, and execution strategies.

• Coordinate with project managers to ensure project milestones and deliverables are met.

• Monitor project performance, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.

• Provide post-implementation operational support for projects, ensuring efforts align with business line services and strategic objectives.

• Lead and mentor project teams, providing guidance and support as needed.

• Foster a collaborative environment to enhance team performance and productivity.

• Manage resource allocation, establish architectural standards, and ensure teams have the necessary tools and support.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary liaison with technical strategy, program management, project engineering, and project management teams, providing guidance and alignment across complex company initiatives.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders and executive leadership.

• Facilitate meetings and workshops to drive program objectives and decision-making.

• Prepare and present regular program status reports and key issue updates to senior management and stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence within the engineering team.

• Adhere to best practices and design standards when coordinating with other programs and projects to identify and implement efficiencies that extend beyond the scope of a single program.

• Evaluate program performance and implement process improvements.

• Identify and address dependencies and risks that may impact program success.

• Promote best practices and lessons learned across projects and teams.

• Drive innovation and efficiency in technology solutions and project execution across multiple teams, departments, and companywide.

• Ensure team takes full advantage of advances in technologies used by the company and across the industry to improve and add new services for our customers.

• Ability to remain current within the industry standards and best practices.

• Ability to influence without authority and guide a team towards common goals by demonstrating strong leadership skills, building trust, and maximizing relationships across the company.

• Ability to professionally mediate conflicts and foster technical alignment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to patiently and accurately articulate information to internal and external audiences, professionally handle inquiries and complaints, and communicate effectively with the team.

• Ability to convey technical information in presentation/training format to a range of technical and non-technical audiences at all levels of the company.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to reconcile divergent demands and prioritize individual workload.

• Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills with the ability to use sound, logical judgment based on data, research, analysis, and experience to choose an appropriate course of action.

• Strong strategic planning and implementation skills with the ability to set measurable and achievable goals and objectives for the team.

• Adept at developing, documenting and executing technical plans and activities that have a broad organizational impact.

• Demonstrated ability to define, deliver, and support strategic plans for aligning organizational technical strategies and long-range planning.

• Ability to prioritize and successfully execute multiple projects, under time constraints, in an environment with changing priorities, goals, and competing deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to professionally mediate conflicts, recommend and implement solutions, and foster technical alignment.

• Excellent professional and technical knowledge of the telecommunications industry.

Additional Job Requirements:

This is a senior level position within the discipline demonstrating comprehensive knowledge and proficiency in all areas of responsibility. Performs complex tasks and job duties, receiving minimal to no instruction on routine work and general instruction on new assignments. Works under minimal supervision with wide latitude for independent judgment. Supports higher level staff in implementing more complex projects. Provides mentorship and functional leadership to junior staff.

• Develop and execute technical plans with significant organizational impact.

• Validate architectural standards and technology roadmaps to ensure alignment with program objectives and timelines.

Additional Competencies:

• Demonstrated advanced technical knowledge and ability in relevant areas.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis

• High School diploma or equivalent.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Project Management, Business, IT/IS, or related discipline. *

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive professional engineering experience. *

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Engineering.

• Experience with Project Management and/or Construction Management.

• Broad experience in the telecommunications industry within any of the following fields: Broadband Internet, ISP Infrastructure, Urban & Rural Fiber Optic Networks, Mobile & Fixed Wireless, Microwave & Satellite Communications, Capacity Planning, Lifecycle Management, Information Technology & Security.

• Other relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), Agile or Scrum certifications.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

• This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations, offices, worksites, or other locations as needed.

• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:

• GCI headquarters are based in Anchorage with project work occurring throughout the state of Alaska as well as locations in Oregon and Washington state.

• Must be willing to travel up to 25% of the time to include rural locations off the road system.

• Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage.

• Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment.

• Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.

• Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively.

• Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.

• Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary.

• Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.

• Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.

• The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to the immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after hours contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services.

Culture, Engagement, and Connection: At GCI, we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer.

EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.

DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.