KCI, LLC
Job Summary: The Optical Network Manager is responsible for leading a team of optical network engineers who design, deploy, operate, and maintain optical transport networks. This role combines technical leadership, operational oversight, and people management to ensure the reliability, scalability, and performance of optical transport services supporting critical customer and backbone infrastructure. The manager ensures projects and operational work are executed accurately and on schedule, while maintaining high standards for documentation, change management, and network availability.
Team Leadership & Management
Lead, mentor, and manage a team responsible for optical transport network deployment, provisioning, and operations
Assign work, prioritize tasks, and ensure timely execution of projects and operational activities
Provide technical guidance and escalation support for complex optical network issues
Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and skills development for team members
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
Optical Network Design, Build & Maintenance
Oversee the design, build, configuration, and maintenance of optical transport networks
Ensure successful commissioning of hardware and completion of Operational Readiness Tests (ORTs)
Manage decommissioning of obsolete or end‑of‑life optical equipment
Ensure network builds align with engineering standards, capacity plans, and business objectives
Project Execution & Change Management
Oversee execution of complex work packages received through workflow tools
Validate Project Development Guides (PDGs) against existing physical and logical network infrastructure
Ensure material orders are accurate and equipment aligns with project requirements
Coordinate cross‑functional teams to complete work requests efficiently
Review and approve detailed Methods of Procedure (MOPs)
Ensure proper execution of changes through the Change Request (CRQ) process
Network Deployment & Operations
Oversee deployment and provisioning of optical network elements and services, including:
Ethernet services
Wavelength services
OTN circuits
Ensure scheduled maintenance activities are planned and executed successfully, including:
Network augments
Capacity optimizations
Troubleshooting during maintenance windows
Technical Oversight & Escalation
Provide support for operational teams
Guide troubleshooting and provisioning activities involving key optical platforms, including:
Nokia PSS
Cisco NCS2015
Ciena 6500
Ensure critical network changes on live customer circuits are executed without impacting unaffected services
Documentation & Compliance
Ensure accurate documentation, ticket updates, and complete records for all assignments
Enforce adherence to operational procedures, engineering standards, and audit requirements
Required Qualifications
3+ years of experience in optical transport deployment, operations, and maintenance
Experience working with optical network providers or vendors in engineering or operational roles
Strong hands‑on knowledge of optical networking infrastructure and systems
Experience with Nokia PSS, Cisco NCS2015, and Ciena 6500 platforms
In‑depth knowledge of OTN, SONET, and DWDM technologies
Understanding of routing concepts, optical transport systems, provisioning, and troubleshooting
Ability to manage and execute critical changes on live networks
Strong organizational and multitasking skills in a fast‑paced environment; will need to interact with customer leadership regularly
Ability to interpret complex work packages and deliver projects on schedule
Preferred Qualifications
Experience managing or supporting large‑scale optical transport networks
Familiarity with common optical service configurations and architectures
Demonstrated leadership or people management experience
Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to make independent technical decisions
Additional Requirements
Ability to respond to escalations or network events when necessary, including during maintenance windows
Seniority level : Mid‑Senior level
Employment type : Full‑time
Job function : Engineering and Information Technology
Industries : Telecommunications
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Team Leadership & Management
Lead, mentor, and manage a team responsible for optical transport network deployment, provisioning, and operations
Assign work, prioritize tasks, and ensure timely execution of projects and operational activities
Provide technical guidance and escalation support for complex optical network issues
Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and skills development for team members
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
Optical Network Design, Build & Maintenance
Oversee the design, build, configuration, and maintenance of optical transport networks
Ensure successful commissioning of hardware and completion of Operational Readiness Tests (ORTs)
Manage decommissioning of obsolete or end‑of‑life optical equipment
Ensure network builds align with engineering standards, capacity plans, and business objectives
Project Execution & Change Management
Oversee execution of complex work packages received through workflow tools
Validate Project Development Guides (PDGs) against existing physical and logical network infrastructure
Ensure material orders are accurate and equipment aligns with project requirements
Coordinate cross‑functional teams to complete work requests efficiently
Review and approve detailed Methods of Procedure (MOPs)
Ensure proper execution of changes through the Change Request (CRQ) process
Network Deployment & Operations
Oversee deployment and provisioning of optical network elements and services, including:
Ethernet services
Wavelength services
OTN circuits
Ensure scheduled maintenance activities are planned and executed successfully, including:
Network augments
Capacity optimizations
Troubleshooting during maintenance windows
Technical Oversight & Escalation
Provide support for operational teams
Guide troubleshooting and provisioning activities involving key optical platforms, including:
Nokia PSS
Cisco NCS2015
Ciena 6500
Ensure critical network changes on live customer circuits are executed without impacting unaffected services
Documentation & Compliance
Ensure accurate documentation, ticket updates, and complete records for all assignments
Enforce adherence to operational procedures, engineering standards, and audit requirements
Required Qualifications
3+ years of experience in optical transport deployment, operations, and maintenance
Experience working with optical network providers or vendors in engineering or operational roles
Strong hands‑on knowledge of optical networking infrastructure and systems
Experience with Nokia PSS, Cisco NCS2015, and Ciena 6500 platforms
In‑depth knowledge of OTN, SONET, and DWDM technologies
Understanding of routing concepts, optical transport systems, provisioning, and troubleshooting
Ability to manage and execute critical changes on live networks
Strong organizational and multitasking skills in a fast‑paced environment; will need to interact with customer leadership regularly
Ability to interpret complex work packages and deliver projects on schedule
Preferred Qualifications
Experience managing or supporting large‑scale optical transport networks
Familiarity with common optical service configurations and architectures
Demonstrated leadership or people management experience
Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to make independent technical decisions
Additional Requirements
Ability to respond to escalations or network events when necessary, including during maintenance windows
Seniority level : Mid‑Senior level
Employment type : Full‑time
Job function : Engineering and Information Technology
Industries : Telecommunications
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