Telecommunications Engineer

Socket.dev; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Company is seeking a Senior Telecommunications Engineer to lead tactical planning, engineering design, and third-level support for transport and wireless networks across its fiber, GPON, and WAN environments. The role emphasizes coordination with cross-functional teams, budgeting, and lifecycle management.

The candidate will work on projects involving long-haul fiber, leased services, and GPON technology, while ensuring documentation and standards are maintained.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning and establishment of Distribution SCADA services and other WAN-based services.
• Experience with telecommunications transport systems such as fiber optics and RF/MW technology.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of GPON, DWDM, and IP WAN technologies.
• Understanding budgeting and accounting processes for capital and functional budgets.
• Proficient with standard IT tools (Word, Excel) and documentation (Visio, prints).
• Strong written and oral communication skills for business contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead initial alignment for fiber/GPON engineering projects and Adtran TA5000 equipment.
• Develop strategic and tactical telecom network designs and services.
• Assist in budgeting for transport network improvements and project finance.
• Create and maintain engineering standards, documentation, and lifecycle plans.
• Coordinate external engineering services and contractors for design/implementation.
• Provide third-level maintenance support for networks/equipment.
• Support other operating companies and partners on transport planning and design.
• Contribute to completion of projects including long-haul fiber and wireless services.
• Monitor health of network nodes and coordinate monitoring activities.

Skills

SCADA planning

Fiber optics

GPON/DWDM knowledge

IP WAN networking

Budgeting & planning

Cross-functional collaboration

OSi model understanding

Project management

Vendor management

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Electrical Engineering or Telecommunications related field

Tools

Visio

Drafting tools

RF/MW equipment

Job description

Telecommunication Engineer, Sr.

Purpose

The Telecommunications Engineer is responsible for providing tactical planning, engineering design, engineering consulting, documentation, licensing, equipment lifecycle management, and third-level technical support of the telecommunications transport and wireless networks for the Southern Company and associated subsidiaries.The associated telecommunications networks include fiber optics and related optronics environments, WAN and data communications equipment, ancillary systems, and leased telecommunications services.

Job Responsibilities

• Initial alignment for this role will be in the Fiber to Distribution/GPON dimension of our business leveraging the Adtran TA5000 family of equipment.
• Responsible for strategic and tactical plans and engineering designs for all telecom network facilities and services provided.
• Responsible for assisting in the management and prioritization of an annual functional budget and capital budget for transport network improvements in concert with related network planning, business case development, and engineering design.
• Responsible for development and compliance of engineering standards including documentation, product lifecycle plans, and design packages.
• Responsible for coordinating supplemental engineering service providers and/or contractors performing transport/telecommunications engineering design and implementation
• Responsible for providing support to other Southern Company Operating Companies and/or Partners on issues related to transport network planning, engineering design, and engineering consulting.
• Responsible for developing and participation in the successful completion of specified projects within Southern Company territory to include Systems Protection initiatives, long haul fiber, leased service delivery, 3rd party fiber leases, wireless services, and GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Networks) technology.
• Responsible for providing third-level maintenance (reactive, preventative, and quality assurance) support as well as backup maintenance/installation coverage related to the identified networks/equipment.
• Responsible for recommending andcoordinating equipment and service health monitoring activity for any new telecommunications nodes and/or services.

Job Requirements

• Experience in planning and establishment of Distribution SCADA services and other WAN-based services.
• Experience and/or familiarity with telecommunications transport systems such as fiber optics, and RF/MW technology
• Experience in coordinating a cross functional team to achieve customer expectations and deadlines.
• Knowledge of fiber to include OSP across multiple platforms preferred.
• Knowledge in distributed computer networks including but not limited to: routers, switches, hubs, digital transport, fiber optic transport (including GPON and DWDM), microwave radio, wireless, voice (Including VOIP), Systems Protection, SCADA systems, TGBs and firewalls. Including fundamental knowledge of the interconnectivity and convergence between the technologies.
• Knowledge of SONET/TDM, Switched Ethernet, MPLS, GPON and IP WAN technologies.
• Knowledge in SCADA systems and remotely polled RTU devices.
• General knowledge of Transmission Systems Protection services and requirements.
• Understanding of budgeting (capital and functional) and accounting processes to ensure compliance with the budget.
• Demonstrated personal computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, etc.) / proficient with the Southern Company standard computing applications with technical skills in documentation tools (Visio, drafting, as-builts, prints, etc.)
• Effective oral and written communications skills with the ability to convey complex technical issues in business terms.
• Knowledge and understanding of IT Security requirements preferred.
• Knowledge of layers one, two, and three of the OSI model preferred.
• Self-motivated with the ability to effectively manage multiple project responsibilities simultaneously.
• Team-oriented with a strong work ethic.
• Ability to build relationships, to communicate and work with all levels of management, vendors, and other internal and external groups and customers and exhibit positive influence at all levels.
• Perform other request work that transitions to the department.
• Strategic thinker that can embrace, influence, and lead change.

Competencies

• General knowledge of Southern Company’s core business
• General knowledge of information technologies (those currently used within the system and new technologies)
• General knowledge of IT infrastructure components
• Understand engineering/analysis/design discipline and methodology
• Ability to effectively organize tasks, manage multiple priorities/details, meet schedules, and deliver on customer commitments
• Ability to negotiate with and influence others – internally as well as vendors
• Ability to build relationships and work in a team atmosphere
• Ability to provide and accept feedback
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• Demonstrate Southern Company Core Values
• Professional oral and written communication skills
• Ability to perform each task safely

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineeringrequired; Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, ora relatedfield.

Work Location and Hours

The successful candidate must live in the Southern Company footprint and travel to telecom locations, project sites, and meetings throughout the system as required.

Subject to 24x7 call-out rotation and emergency response support.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf. Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

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