Fiber Design Specialist - Manager

Job description

Overview Provide strategic leadership for the Fiber Optic Network Design function by managing multiple programs, driving operational excellence, ensuring technical governance, and building high-performing teams. Accountable for delivering complex fiber design projects that meet client expectations, quality standards, financial objectives, and organizational goals while fostering continuous improvement and innovation. Responsibilities Program & Portfolio Management • Strategic Leadership • Define and execute the strategic roadmap for Fiber Optic Network Design operations. • Align business objectives with project execution, resource planning, and client expectations. • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, and operational efficiency. • Oversee multiple fiber network design programs from initiation through successful delivery. • Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contractual SLAs and KPIs. • Monitor program performance, utilization, profitability, forecasting, and resource capacity. Technical Governance • Provide technical leadership across HFC, FTTH, FTTx, MDU, Permit, HLD, LLD, and Service Design projects. • Establish engineering standards, design methodologies, and best practices across all design functions. • Review and approve complex engineering solutions, ensuring scalability, compliance, and network reliability. People Leadership • Lead, mentor, and develop Managers, Team Leads, Design Engineers, and Technical Specialists. • Build high-performing teams through coaching, succession planning, competency development, and performance management. • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Client & Stakeholder Management • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, senior leadership, vendors, and cross-functional teams. • Serve as the executive escalation point for critical project, operational, and customer issues. • Conduct governance meetings, business reviews, and performance presentations with stakeholders. Operational Excellence • Establish operational processes, governance frameworks, and performance metrics to improve delivery efficiency. • Drive Lean, automation, and process optimization initiatives to reduce cycle time, improve quality, and increase productivity. • Ensure effective workload balancing and resource optimization across projects. Quality & Compliance • Establish quality standards and governance processes for all design deliverables. • Ensure compliance with client requirements, regulatory guidelines, industry standards, and organizational policies. • Lead design audits, quality reviews, and corrective action initiatives to achieve continuous improvement. Financial & Resource Management • Manage departmental budgets, project financials, forecasting, and cost optimization initiatives. • Monitor project profitability, resource utilization, hiring plans, and operational expenses. • Support business growth through efficient workforce planning and capacity management. Risk & Delivery Management • Identify strategic, operational, and technical risks across programs. • Develop mitigation strategies and ensure timely resolution of escalated issues. • Maintain business continuity through proactive planning and governance. Business Development Support • Support pre-sales activities, solution development, effort estimation, staffing plans, and proposal reviews. • Collaborate with business development teams during RFPs, client presentations, and solution discussions. • Identify opportunities for service expansion and operational improvements. Reporting & Governance • Present operational dashboards, KPIs, financial performance, delivery status, and risk assessments to senior leadership. • Drive governance meetings, executive reviews, and client steering committee discussions. • Ensure accurate reporting and documentation across all programs. Requirements • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Telecommunications, Electrical, or related field) preferred. • Minimum 11 years of experience in fiber optic network design and engineering. • Extensive experience in Fiber Optic Network Design across HFC, FTTH, FTTx, MDU, Enterprise, and Broadband network deployments. • Strong expertise in High-Level Design (HLD), Low-Level Design (LLD), Permit Design, Bill of Materials (BOM), Fiber Planning, and Network Architecture. • Advanced knowledge of 3GIS, SpatialNet, QGIS, AutoCAD, FiberCAD, and other GIS/CAD platforms. • Deep understanding of fiber architecture, outside plant (OSP), inside plant (ISP), cable routing, splicing, permitting, construction standards, and telecom engineering practices. • Strong knowledge of client delivery models, quality frameworks, SLA/KPI management, and operational governance. • Excellent strategic planning, leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, financial management, and decision-making capabilities. • Proven experience managing multiple large-scale programs, cross-functional teams, and geographically distributed operations. • Strong analytical, problem-solving, risk management, and change management skills. • Experience driving digital transformation, automation, process improvement, and operational excellence initiatives. • Demonstrated ability to build client relationships, lead business reviews, and deliver sustainable business growth.