The Access Network Engineer is responsible for the architecture, deployment, and operational support of the organization’s fiber access network. This role focuses on GPON and XGS-PON broadband platforms, including OLT systems, ONT lifecycle management, and integration with aggregation, IP routing, and subscriber management platforms.
The ideal candidate has hands-on experience operating large-scale FTTH networks, understands access network architecture and optical design, and is comfortable leveraging automation and scripting to improve operational visibility and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
PON Architecture & Engineering
- Design, deploy, and support GPON and XGS-PON access network architectures.
- Engineer and maintain OLT platforms, PON service profiles, and subscriber provisioning templates.
- Configure and manage DBA profiles, GEM ports, VLAN tagging, service flows, and subscriber traffic policies.
- Support ONT provisioning, firmware lifecycle management, and OMCI-based configuration.
- Define and maintain PON split ratios, optical power budgets, and service capacity thresholds.
- Perform PON utilization analysis and capacity planning to support subscriber growth.
Access Network Operations
- Troubleshoot service impairments across OLT, ONT, optical distribution network (ODN), and aggregation layers.
- Analyze optical metrics including TX/RX power levels, signal degradation, and fiber path integrity.
- Support network upgrades, shelf expansions, and platform migrations.
- Perform root cause analysis for subscriber impacting issues and large-scale service events.
- Develop operational standards and procedures for access network configuration and maintenance.
Access Network Integration
- Integrate PON infrastructure with: Subscriber management platforms, DHCP / AAA systems, IP routing and aggregation layers and multicast and IPTV delivery systems.
- Support service activation workflows for residential and commercial broadband services.
- Collaborate with field engineering teams to support ODN deployments and fiber plant integration.
Automation & Network Telemetry
- Develop automation to improve access network observability and operational efficiency.
- Create scripts to collect and analyze: OLT and ONT operational metrics, optical power levels, subscriber provisioning status and firmware compliance.
- Automate operational workflows including: ONT inventory validation, provisioning audits and service configuration validation.
- Integrate network data into internal monitoring and analytics platforms.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- 5+ years of experience supporting fiber broadband access networks.
- Hands-on experience with carrier-grade PON platforms.
- Strong understanding of PON technologies, including: GPON, XGS-PON, FTTH architectures.
- Solid knowledge of networking fundamentals, including: OSI model, TCP/IP, VLAN architecture and multicast and QoS fundamentals.
- Experience troubleshooting subscriber provisioning, optical performance, and access network faults.
Technical Skills:
Access Platforms
- Experience with one or more of the following platforms: Calix (AXOS / EXA), Cisco access platforms or equivalent carrier-grade OLT systems.
Automation / Scripting
- Experience with scripting languages such as: Python or Bash
- Experience automating network operations using: SSH / CLI automation, REST APIs and data parsing and reporting tools
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience operating large-scale FTTH or broadband access networks.
- Familiarity with optical network design and fiber outside plant architecture.
- Experience supporting IPTV or multicast video delivery over PON networks.
- Exposure to network monitoring, telemetry, or analytics platforms.
- Experience supporting network automation initiatives within access engineering teams.
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
- Ability to operate effectively across engineering, operations, and field teams.
- Strong documentation and operational process development.
- Focus on network scalability, reliability, and operational efficiency.
Job Benefits
- Medical, Dental and Vision
- PTO & Holidays
- 401K + Match
- Life Insurance
- FSA & HSA
- Short Term/Long Term Disability
- Legal Plan Support & EAP