Network Engineering Manager Jobs in Texas

Description

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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

About John Staurulakis (jsitel.com)