Senior Optical Network Design Engineer

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Health insurance

Home office stipend

Remote work

Professional development

Large-scale projects

Team collaboration

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Optical Network Design Engineer to lead planning, design, and optimization of high-capacity optical transport networks. You will apply expertise in WDM/DWDM, ROADM, and OTN to create scalable designs for a fully remote team.

The role requires 7+ years in optical network design, strong analytical and communication skills, and proficiency with OptSim and related planning tools. Flexible remote work environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Telecommunications Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in optical network design and engineering.
• Deep knowledge of WDM/DWDM, OTN, SONET/SDH, and ROADM technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design optical transport networks (OTN) including WDM/DWDM, ROADM, and packet-optical integration.
• Develop detailed network designs with equipment placement, fiber routes, and capacity planning.
• Perform link power budget calculations and optical performance analysis.
• Collaborate with field operations to ensure accurate implementation of designs.
• Identify opportunities for optimization, cost reduction, and technology upgrades.
• Use network design tools for simulation, planning, and documentation.
• Ensure designs meet industry standards, reliability requirements, and client specs.
• Troubleshoot complex optical network issues during design and implementation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Independent work

Network design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Telecommunications Engineering

Tools

OptSim

WDM planning software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in telecommunications infrastructure, is actively seeking a Senior Optical Network Design Engineer to join their fully remote team. This position is crucial for the planning, design, and optimization of high-capacity optical transport networks that form the backbone of modern communication systems. You will leverage your expertise in optical technologies, network planning tools, and WDM/DWDM systems to create efficient and scalable network designs. This fully remote role offers the flexibility to contribute your skills from anywhere while working with a world-class team on cutting-edge projects. If you are passionate about optical networking and thrive in a remote work environment, this is an excellent opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Design optical transport networks (OTN), including WDM/DWDM, ROADM, and packet-optical integration.
• Develop detailed network designs, including equipment placement, fiber routes, and capacity planning.
• Perform link power budget calculations and optical performance analysis.
• Collaborate with field operations teams to ensure accurate implementation of network designs.
• Identify opportunities for network optimization, cost reduction, and technology upgrades.
• Utilize network design tools and software for simulation, planning, and documentation.
• Ensure network designs adhere to industry standards, reliability requirements, and client specifications.
• Troubleshoot complex optical network issues during the design and implementation phases.
• Stay current with advancements in optical networking technologies and share knowledge with the team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in optical network design and engineering.
• In-depth knowledge of WDM/DWDM, OTN, SONET/SDH, and ROADM technologies.
• Proficiency with optical network design and planning tools (e.g., OptSim, WDM planning software).
• Understanding of fiber optic principles, including attenuation, dispersion, and nonlinear effects.
• Familiarity with network management systems (NMS) and telemetry.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for remote collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple design projects simultaneously.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous home office stipend and technology allowance.
• Flexible working hours and a fully remote work environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and certifications.
• Chance to work on large-scale, impactful optical network projects.
• Collaborative virtual team culture.