Fiber Designer

Job Title: Fiber Designer (GIS / OSP Engineering) Job Description This role focuses on designing outside plant (OSP) fiber networks using GIS tools to support large-scale rural broadband expansion. You will create and refine front-end engineering designs and construction “as-built” records for new fiber routes, helping deliver high-speed broadband to underserved rural areas. The position emphasizes fiber engineering within a GIS environment, including conceptual and physical route design, cost optimization, and real-time updates based on field changes. Responsibilities Design outside plant (OSP) fiber projects across multiple locations and states, from initial concept through final as-built documentation. Create detailed labor, material, and overhead cost estimates for fiber construction projects. Use GIS tools, including ArcGIS and ArcGIS Pro, to design fiber network builds within a GIS platform. Partner with other OSP Engineering associates to develop accurate and constructible fiber network designs. Perform analysis on fiber network designs using GIS tools and extensions to support OSP engineering teams. Update initial engineering maps with real-time field modifications to produce accurate final as-built records. Determine cable counts and develop fiber assignments, including distributed split and fiber-to-the-home architectures. Identify and specify equipment required for installation in the field, including placement and routing considerations. Evaluate route options such as which side of the road to place cable and how to position facilities relative to the center line. Read and assess fiber and/or HFC designs and prints to ensure compliance with engineering standards and construction practices. Apply knowledge of telecommunications industry principles and NESC construction practices to all design work. Manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while meeting production expectations. Maintain a high-volume, production-focused workflow, such as designing several miles of fiber routes per week. Collaborate with a manager who oversees workload, provides quality control, and offers training on systems and design standards. Participate in any required engineering training to align with internal processes, tools, and quality expectations. Essential Skills 2+ years of fiber design experience, including new route design and fiber-to-the-home or distributed split architectures. Strong proficiency with ArcGIS Pro, including hands-on experience designing networks within the software. ESRI ArcGIS experience, with the ability to perform GIS-based design and analysis for fiber networks. Demonstrated experience in a production-heavy role, such as designing approximately 7+ miles of fiber routes per week. Ability to create and interpret OSP fiber designs, including reading and assessing fiber and/or HFC prints. Basic understanding of distributed split and fiber-to-the-home design concepts. Experience working with as-builts and redlines, including real-time uploads of field changes into design systems. Understanding of telecommunications industry principles and practices. Knowledge of NESC construction practices and engineering standards as they apply to OSP fiber networks. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and quality. Self-motivated and comfortable performing repetitive, detailed design work independently. Ability to collaborate effectively with OSP engineering teams and follow established design processes. Capability to work within a remote desktop environment provided by the company, using a personal desktop to connect via VPN. Additional Skills & Qualifications Degree in GIS or a related field, which is viewed favorably and helps candidates stand out. Prior experience specifically in fiber engineering, including determining cable counts and equipment needs. Experience deciding optimal cable placement relative to roadways, such as selecting the side of the road and positioning off the center line. Familiarity with distributed split fiber-to-the-home implementations and central office fiber assignment practices. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in documenting as-built conditions. Comfort working within structured processes and adhering to engineering standards and quality controls. Experience working on multi-year telecom or broadband infrastructure projects. Work Environment This is a fully remote role supporting fiber design work across multiple regions, with a focus on central areas of the United States. The standard schedule is 40 hours per week, with an expectation to be online and available during core hours of 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central Time. Overtime is not permitted. The position offers seven paid holidays and two to three weeks of paid time off, along with any engineering training required for success in the role. You will use your own desktop computer to establish a VPN connection into a remote desktop environment, where all necessary software, including ArcGIS and related design tools, is provided. You will report to a manager who oversees your workload, conducts quality control on your designs, and provides ongoing training and support. The work environment is production-focused, emphasizing consistent output, accuracy, and adherence to established engineering and construction standards. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Madison, WI. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $36.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully remote position. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.