Planning Engineer III (Sr. Transport Planning Engineer)

Job: Planning Engineer III (Sr. Transport Planning Engineer)

Location: Remote
Experience: 7+ years

Duration: Long Term

Overview / Summary:

Qualification Overview
Candidates must have planning experience, including knowledge of SONET, Ethernet, DWDM technologies, and data center network layouts.
Avoid candidates with backgrounds that only include testing or circuit design rather than all-encompassing end-to-end network planning.
This role requires broad exposure across multiple areas of the network. Prior Lumen experience is strongly preferred due to the scope and complexity of the environment.
Cultural fit remains a key consideration. The ideal candidate will be self-sufficient, adaptable, eager to learn new areas of the network, and comfortable taking initiative, including proactively engaging stakeholders, and driving work forward with minimal direction.
Planning Engineer III (Sr. Transport Planning Engineer)
Position Summary
The Planning Engineer III is responsible for developing network growth, capacity, and evolution plans for the National Core Transport Network and supporting metropolitan transport networks. This role creates implementation-ready planning packages for design and field engineering teams, manages project funding, and budgets, and supports network modernization initiatives. The position provides technical leadership, mentoring, and collaboration across engineering and operations teams while ensuring compliance with telecommunications standards and regulations.
Key Responsibilities
SONET network planning and capacity management
Core backbone and metro network growth planning
Development of implementation-ready engineering packages
Capital and expense budget management
Network data analysis and forecasting
Stakeholder coordination and engagement
Mentoring and training of junior engineers
Compliance with telecommunications regulations and standards
Technical Skills
Optical Transport Networks
SONET
Ethernet
DWDM
Capacity Planning & Forecasting
Central Office Infrastructure (Power, Alarms, Common Systems)
Outside Plant (OSP) Engineering
Telecommunications Network Design
Transport Engineering Principles
Systems & Tools
TIRKS
CNDC ASPEN Portal
LCAM
MetaSolv
Fireworks
CORE
Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Teams
Preferred Qualifications
Lumen experience
5+ years of transport planning or network engineering experience
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Budget and project management experience
Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and mentor others
Additional skills and characteristics that are important for this role include:
Strong problem-solving abilities
Excellent communication skills
High energy and a positive attitude
Strong interpersonal skills