Optical Architect

Company Description

Zayo provides mission-critical bandwidth to the world’s most impactful companies, fueling the innovations that are transforming our society. Zayo’s 133,000-mile network in North America and Europe includes extensive metro connectivity to thousands of buildings and data centers. Zayo’s communications infrastructure solutions include dark fiber, private data networks, wavelengths, Ethernet, and dedicated Internet access. Zayo serves wireless and wireline carriers, media, tech, content, finance, healthcare and other large enterprises.

The Optical Architect position is responsible for testing, certification and documentation of Optical Transport equipment, software and services across Zayo’s Core Long Haul and Metro Networks. A successful candidate will possess expert working knowledge of DWDM / Optical Transport hardware and software solutions from a variety of vendors including Ciena, Infinera, Nokia and ADVA. This position will research and lead the development of an optical technology roadmap, including hardware, software and services lifecycle in concert with cross-functional stakeholder input and strategic vendor capabilities. Expert level support and collaboration is required with Planning, Engineering and Operations teams on strategic projects including new hardware and software implementations, troubleshooting and network optimization. Strong project management and organization skills are necessary to thrive in this role. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are also required to be effective. Day to day functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Creation, execution and documentation of hardware and software test plans supporting certification of wavelength services across Zayo’s global footprint.

• Define, document and publish hardware and software design and configuration standards for compliance with Zayo systems and service deployment requirements.

• Troubleshoot and recommend solutions for deployed hardware and software configurations which are not compliant with Zayo and/or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards.

• Provide support for planning, troubleshooting and implementation of complex solutions across cross-functional teams, including, but not limited to Service Delivery, Planning and Optimization for shared and private network services.

• Review OEM technical bulletins for potential issues which may impact Zayo’s network, and work with OEM and internal stakeholders to create and implement project plans to mitigate interop, security and lifecycle issues in a time sensitive manner.

• Work with Product and other stakeholders to enhance and develop Zayo’s wavelength services.

• Develop and provide training and materials to support teams across functions related to Service Delivery, Planning, Optimization and Operations.

• Develop documentation, processes and scripts for lifecycle automation of commissioning, provisioning, testing and troubleshooting of wavelength services.

Roles/Responsibilities:

• Platform Lifecycle Ownership: Lifecycle management of one to many optical transport platforms in the production environment. Position is subject matter expert and internal point of escalation for all testing, commissioning, provisioning and troubleshooting of new and existing equipment and systems as defined by OEM (e.g. POR/GA/MD/EOS/EOL) and Zayo.

• Project Management: Provide regular updates to leadership on key projects and initiatives. This individual should have a bias towards action when working through problems or challenges that may arise.

• Technical Training: As a subject matter expert, this candidate is responsible for supporting and cross-training members of Zayo’s Technology, Service Delivery and Operations staff. This includes identifying and prioritizing areas of need, publishing training documentation, and delivering training courses.

• Network Documentation: This individual will be responsible to develop and publish hardware and software configuration standards to be used by Technology, Service Delivery and Operations teams. Obtain feedback from consumers of training to support continuous improvement of training programs.

• Product and Service Definition: Work closely with Product and Technology managers to define, develop and enhance Zayo’s products and services. Creation of supporting collateral for consumption by internal and external teams is required.

• Network Performance Management: Work with internal and external stakeholders to identify, troubleshoot, prioritize and resolve network, service and application performance issues. Perform escalation to internal and external stakeholders as needed to resolve root cause issues.

• Vendor Management: Liaise with OEM for roadmap, documentation and bulletin review, as well as identifying, tracking and troubleshooting, technical cases and escalations.

• Network Maintenance: Planning, scheduling, communicating and managing network maintenance activities in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders as required.

• Data Integrity and Automation: Qualify documentation data integrity and develop commissioning and provisioning automation strategies supporting Service Delivery and Operations.

Education and Experience:

Ideal candidates will possess a Master of Science (MS) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree or equivalent from four-year University as well as a minimum 5 to 8 years related experience in telecommunications or service provider industry.

Knowledge of DWDM fixed and flex grid line systems, NRZ/IMDD and coherent transmission technologies and architectures are required. Working to expert knowledge of standards-based protocols (IP/Ethernet/OTN/SONET/SDH/SAN/Video/etc.), optical fiber types, systems, software and security architectures and requirements are also necessary. Experience with testing technology in lab environment, disaggregated transponders, open line systems, SDN controllers, orchestration and scripting skills are desired.

Other:

Reports to: Sr. Manager, Network Architecture

Travel: < 20%

Benefits, Rewards & Wellness

• Excellent Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan

• Fitness membership discounts

• Generous paid time off policy including paid parental leave

Zayo provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, provincial or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.