OSP Fiber - Design Manager

Company Overview

We are a Hudson Oaks, Texas-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) delivering High Speed Internet and Voice Services throughout multiple states to residential, business, K-12 Education and government customers. We believe there is much more to an internet company than just delivering cost-effective internet solutions; we believe in delivering an overall customer experience that our competitors simply cannot match.

Responsible for building, developing, and managing Nextlink’s in-house outside plant (OSP) fiber design and engineering team. This role oversees internal designers, field engineers, and contracted engineering resources while establishing design standards, improving quality, and ensuring fiber network designs are accurate, compliant, and ready for construction. The position partners with leadership and cross-functional teams to support network expansion, streamline engineering workflows, and build a scalable, self-sufficient design and engineering function.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Lead the development and growth of Nextlink’s internal fiber design and engineering team.

· Establish and maintain design workflows, engineering standards, and best practices.

· Partner with leadership to identify staffing needs, skill gaps, and team structure requirements.

· Manage, mentor, and develop in-house designers and field engineers while establishing clear expectations, accountability, and career development opportunities.

· Foster collaboration between design, field engineering, construction, network engineering, and operations teams.

· Review and approve concept and final fiber designs before submission for permitting.

· Ensure design packages are accurate, consistent, constructible, and compliant with applicable safety, regulatory, and Nextlink engineering standards.

· Identify design issues early to minimize rework, redesigns, project delays, and cost overruns.

· Manage third-party engineering and design vendors, including reviewing deliverables for accuracy, compliance, quality, and constructability.

· Address vendor performance concerns and resolve escalations related to engineering quality and deliverables.

· Coordinate with county, state, and municipal jurisdictions regarding permitting, right-of-way (ROW), and local regulatory requirements.

· Establish and maintain relationships with permitting authorities to support efficient approvals and reduce late-stage design changes.

· Collaborate with leadership on fiber route planning, network expansion strategy, and long-term infrastructure development.

· Coordinate design handoffs with construction, network engineering, and operations teams to support efficient field execution.

· Support network reliability, timely service delivery, and scalable infrastructure growth.

· Develop team capabilities and repeatable processes that support long-term network expansion and reduce reliance on external engineering resources.

Required Qualifications:

· Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D and ArcGIS.

· Demonstrated experience in outside plant (OSP) engineering and OSP fiber design.

· Experience building, scaling, or restructuring technical teams.

· Experience managing both contracted engineering resources and in-house teams.

· Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality results in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

· Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, technical teams, vendors, and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Experience managing in-house engineering or fiber design teams.

· Experience developing and maintaining OSP engineering workflows, design standards, and quality-control processes.

· Experience designing aerial and underground fiber infrastructure within public and private rights-of-way.

· Familiarity with permitting processes, ROW requirements, and jurisdictional coordination.

· Experience supporting large-scale fiber or infrastructure buildouts.

· Nokia XGS-PON experience is highly preferred.

· Familiarity with GIS-based design and network inventory tools, including ArcGIS.

· Experience supporting fiber deployments funded through grant programs such as RDOF, CAF, BEAD, or similar initiatives.

Core Competencies:

· Technical leadership

· Team development and coaching

· Strategic planning

· Engineering quality and attention to detail

· Process improvement

· Project coordination and execution

· Vendor and stakeholder management

· Regulatory and permitting coordination

· Cross-functional collaboration

· Problem-solving and decision-making

Measure of Success:

· Development of a capable, self-sufficient in-house fiber design and engineering team.

· Improved consistency, accuracy, and constructability of fiber design packages.

· Reduced design errors, rework, redesigns, and avoidable project costs.

· Improved vendor performance, deliverable quality, and accountability.

· Timely completion of design and permitting requirements to support network construction schedules.

· Stronger collaboration between design, field engineering, construction, network engineering, and operations.

· Established workflows, standards, and repeatable processes that support long-term network growth.

Job Classification:

· Engineering

· Exempt

Work Environment/Hazards:

· Work may be performed in an office environment and in the field, depending on business needs.

· Field activities may involve exposure to outdoor weather conditions, construction sites, uneven terrain, and other hazards associated with fiber infrastructure projects.

· The noise level may vary depending on the work environment.

Physical Demands:

· Ability to perform computer-based work for extended periods.

· Repetitive motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

· Visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer keyboard and basic office equipment.

· Ability to travel to field locations, construction sites, and jurisdictional meetings as needed.

· Additional physical requirements may apply based on field responsibilities.

Working Hours/Days:

· Full time

· 40 hours

· Occasional overtime as needed

Work Location:

Based out of our Head Quarters in Hudson Oaks, TX

Hybrid (75% Remote)

Travel Requirements:

Travel may be required to support field operations, project reviews, vendor coordination, permitting activities, and network expansion initiatives.

Affirmative Action (AAP/EEO Statement):

Nextlink is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Drug Free Workplace:

Nextlink intends to provide a safe work environment that will help protect the safety, health and well-being of all employees. Therefore, we are committed to an alcohol and drug-free workplace.