Engineering Director Jobs in Irvine, CA

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Every AI model trained, every GPU cluster lit, and every inference workload served depends on physical fiber: dark fiber, long-haul routes, and metro rings that connect campuses, power-advantaged regions, and cloud on-ramps. Hyperscalers and neoclouds are committing billions to this build-out, and they will choose the partner that can design it right and deliver it on time.

Verizon is building AI Connect to be the intelligent fabric of the AI economy. As an Associate Director, you will lead the experts who turn that ambition into signed, buildable, and profitable designs for our largest strategic customers.

About the Role

You will lead the sales engineers who design dark fiber, ultra-long-haul, metro and campus interconnect solutions for hyperscalers and neoclouds. Your team shapes route strategy, fiber count, diversity, latency and cost inputs before a deal is won, and makes sure what we quote can be built.

The Team You Will Lead

You will lead some of the most experienced people in the industry, typically with 15-25 years in the field. Many have:

• Come up through outside plant (OSP) planning and engineering design, and know what a route costs, how long it takes and where it breaks.

• Led ultra-long-haul and metro fiber programs from engineering through construction and delivery.

• Built cost studies and facility designs that balance customer needs against margin.

• Worked inside carriers, fiber builders and construction firms, so they understand every hand-off from the sales call to the splice.

They don't need managing. They need a leader who is technically credible, drives innovation and standardization, clears obstacles, sets direction and makes them more valuable to the customer and to the company.

What You Will Do

• Set the vision. Build and execute the strategy for dark fiber and AI Connect design engineering so customers reach AI-forward outcomes.

• Lead the design team. Guide sales engineers supporting Verizon's top strategic AI Connect customers across a multi-billion-dollar portfolio, driving bookings and revenue growth.

• Direct world-class designs. Own solutions for GPU campus interconnect, data center interconnect, long-haul and intercity routes, metro rings, and cloud on-ramps.

• Set design standards. Define standards for ultra-high-count fiber, route diversity, latency budgets, splice and handhole strategy, ILA/regen siting and phased growth for multi-stage AI builds.

• Bring commercial rigor. Evaluate build, IRU, lease and swap options with Finance and Product, and build ROI and cost models for every large pursuit.

• Connect design to delivery. Partner with Network Planning, Construction, Right-of-Way, Legal and Operations so quoted routes are constructible, on schedule and on budget.

• Differentiate Verizon. Equip the team to articulate Verizon's advantages across AI Connect, Dark Fiber, Lit Fiber/Wave and Edge Data Centers, and to be recognized as thought leaders.

• Raise efficiency. Introduce automation and off-load low-value work so senior engineers spend time on customer-facing design.

• Develop talent. Hire, coach and retain top engineers, maintain certifications and build a succession bench.

• Build a public presence. Represent Verizon at industry events, in thought leadership and on customer advisory boards.

What We're Looking For

You'll need to have:

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline or directly related equivalent experience.

• 10+ years in engineering and architecting telecom, IT or network infrastructure, with deep expertise in dark fiber and the intersection of physical assets with AI/ML digital transformation.

• 3+ years leading senior technical talent, including workforce planning, coaching and performance management.

• Proven record designing and winning large, multi-year infrastructure deals, including technical qualification, pricing and contract negotiation.

• Experience engaging senior executives and delivering effective customer presentations.

• Demonstrated financial analysis skills: P&L, ROI, cost analysis and business-case development.

Even better if you have:

• MS or MBA.

• Direct experience with hyperscalers or neoclouds.

• OSP engineering, construction or delivery background, including ULH or metro fiber programs, permitting and right-of-way, and contractor management.

• Knowledge of AI and GPU cluster networking, including scale-out and scale-across topologies and their requirements on the fiber layer.

• Familiarity with power-driven site selection and its effect on network routes.

• Experience with IRUs, swaps, anchor-tenant builds, SLAs and MSAs.

• Relevant certifications (for example CCIE/CCNP, optical vendor or FOA CFOS).

Why This Role

• Real scale and authority. A multi-billion-dollar portfolio and the mandate to set design standards, hiring and operating model.

• A team worth leading. Work with deeply experienced fiber, OSP and network design professionals.

• A front-row seat to the AI build-out. Your team's designs connect the campuses where the next generation of models is trained and served.

• Competitive rewards. Base salary, annual incentive, long-term incentive, and comprehensive health and retirement benefits.

How to Apply

Apply through the Verizon careers site with your resume, and include a brief note on the largest infrastructure design or pursuit you have led and the team you built around it.

Where you’ll be working

In this mobile role, you'll primarily work from customer or field location(s), with occasional visits to a Verizon location for in-person training and meetings.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Equal Employment Opportunity

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Benefits and Compensation

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we’ve got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.

The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is a commission based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours.

The annual salary range for the location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $130,000.00 - $248,000.00.

The annual salary range for the New York location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $142,500.00 - $248,000.00.