Manager, Network Engineering

Manager, Network Engineering

Department: Broadband - Network Engineering Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Lubbock, TX

Reporting To: Brian Whitaker

Description

JSI invites you to join our team as a Manager, Network Engineering on our Broadband IP team in our Lubbock, TX office where you'll play a critical role in advancing broadband and telecommunications initiatives that expand connectivity and drive digital inclusion-while advancing your career within a mission-driven, growth-focused organization.

About the Company:

JSI is a leading full-service consulting firm specializing in broadband solutions. For over 60 years, we have provided independent communications service providers with expert financial, engineering, management, operational, regulatory, and strategic guidance. Our extensive industry knowledge and proven track record of success have empowered clients to achieve sustainable growth and profitability. With clients nationwide and a powerful presence in markets across the United States, JSI empowers rural and regional broadband providers to expand, evolve, and excel in a rapidly shifting digital world.

Position Overview:
As a Manager, Network Engineering on the BBIP team, you will lead a small team of Fiber Access and DWDM/Optical Transport engineers and consultants that design and implement FTTP networks and optical transport systems for Internet Service Providers. You will own team performance, utilization, delivery quality and efficiency, and the growth of the engineers who perform that work. This role calls for extensive, hands-on technical expertise in either fiber access or DWDM/optical transport, along with working familiarity in the other. You will review and approve the team's engineering designs and project output, consulting Director-level resources or subject-matter experts on topics outside your current expertise, while continuing to build your proficiency in less-familiar technical areas. In addition to leading and reviewing the team's work, you will personally serve as a senior technical resource on select client engagements, carrying individual project responsibilities alongside your management duties.

As a leader, you will also serve as a client-facing resource within your practice area, acting as network engineering leader and technical advisor, supporting existing client relationships. This role balances individual technical acumen and performance with technical leadership and team management.

Responsibilities

Management & Engineering Responsibilities

• Directly manage the Engineers (Level I through III) delivering fiber access and DWDM/optical transport engineering and consulting work, holding them accountable for delivery quality, client satisfaction, and professional development.
• Own team-level performance and efficiency outcomes, including your own billable utilization as well as the team's, project margin, schedule adherence, and delivery quality across fiber access and optical transport engagements.
• Lead day-to-day personnel management for team members, including staffing input, performance reviews, career development planning, and recommendations on compensation, promotion, and disciplinary action.
• Lead the design and scaling of multi-vendor network strategies and transitions in your primary domain - PON access networks (Calix, Nokia, Adtran, etc.) or DWDM/optical transport systems (Ciena, Nokia, Cisco, Ribbon, etc.) and contribute to design decisions in the complementary domain.
• Oversee development of technical specifications, BOMs, and designs across fiber access and optical transport projects
• Review and approve engineering designs and project deliverables across the team's fiber access and optical transport work, owning the quality and accuracy of team output.
• Personally serve as lead engineer or senior technical resource on select client projects carrying individual project deliverables alongside team management responsibilities.
• Serve as a client-facing advisor on fiber access and DWDM/optical transport strategy for assigned accounts.
• Partner with the Director on team-level staffing, capacity planning, and technical standards specific to fiber access and optical transport.
• Implement and enforce technical standards, quality-assurance processes, and engineering methodologies within the team.
• Represent the team in project-level client escalations and day-to-day relationship management.

Relationship Management & Client Service

• Proven ability to serve as a trusted client representative for fiber access and optical transport engagements, managing relationships, setting expectations, and consistently delivering results.
• Strong client service skills and the ability to communicate complex technical matters clearly and confidently, both verbally and in writing, to clients and internal stakeholders.

Core Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage and prioritize multiple client matters simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management skills and ability to deliver on time and on budget, independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio).
• A strong growth mindset and genuine commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, IT, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience); Master's or MBA preferred.
• Industry-recognized certifications in fiber access and/or optical transport technologies (e.g., Calix, Nokia, Adtran, Ciena, etc.) preferred.
• 5+ years of technical experience with solid expertise in fiber access or DWDM/optical transport engineering, plus working familiarity with the other, including experience in a consulting or client-facing capacity.
• 2+ years of team leadership or people-management experience.
• Extensive expertise in either PON technology and OSP/ISP integration (fiber access) or coherent optics and spectrum management (DWDM/optical transport), along with working familiarity in the other; understanding of rural transport economic modeling.
• Knowledge of the rural/Tier 3 telecom industry.
• Proven track record managing client relationships at a senior level, ideally within a consulting or professional services environment.
• Willingness and ability to remain a hands-on individual contributor on select engagements, not solely a reviewer of others' work.

Management & Leadership Skills

• Strong team and performance management skills, with demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineering staff.
• Strong organizational skills necessary to manage project schedules and outcomes.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to represent the team credibly to clients and firm leadership.
• Proven technical expertise in one domain (fiber access or DWDM/optical transport) sufficient to independently review and approve engineering designs and working knowledge of the other domain sufficient to conduct a credible first-pass review and final approval with input from SME.
• Demonstrated drive to close technical knowledge gaps over time, through mentorship, training, and hands-on project work particularly in the domain outside your primary area of strength.
• Sound judgment in resolving day-to-day client and personnel matters diplomatically and effectively.
• Solid understanding of consulting/billable-hour business models, including margin, utilization, and project economics.

Work Environment & Location

• Full-time, hourly, overtime eligible position.
• This is an in-office position based in JSI's Lubbock, Texas office; no remote or hybrid candidates.
• Some travel required.
• Applicant must be authorized to work in the U.S. and not require sponsorship.

Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive salary + performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k)).
• Generous PTO and wellness opportunities.
• Ongoing professional development and educational opportunities.