Senior Project Manager – Route Planning

Job Type: Full-Time | Location: Texas | Department: Data Center Delivery | Reporting to: Director, Network Delivery | Work Location Type: #remote
IREN is a vertically integrated AI Cloud provider, delivering large-scale data centers and GPU clusters for AI training and inference. IREN’s platform is underpinned by its expansive portfolio of grid-connected land and power in renewable-rich regions across North America, Europe and APAC.
Reporting to the Director, Network Delivery, the Senior Project Manager – Route Planning owns the selection and validation of the off-campus fiber routes that serve every IREN data center campus. The role analyzes candidate routes, validates physical diversity, supports make-versus-lease and IRU-versus-lit decisions, and runs the early engineering, permitting and right-of-way work that lets carrier construction start ahead of full funding.
No carrier order is placed until this role has signed off the route. Approved routes are handed to the Senior Project Managers – Network Delivery and the campus teams for carrier execution. The role applies the diversity and shared-risk criteria set by the Senior Project Manager – Network Infrastructure Engineering, and works with Development on carrier access for prospective campuses before site layout is fixed.
With 100% renewable energy, we build, own and operate our data centers and take pride in being at the forefront of sustainable solutions for the ever-evolving applications of high-performance compute. We believe that human progress is invaluable, but it should be done in the right way – responsibly, sustainably and having a positive impact on the communities we operate in.

• Minimum 10 years of telecommunications, outside-plant fiber or carrier network experience, including long-haul and metro route planning or OSP engineering.
• Demonstrated experience validating physical route diversity across multiple carriers: shared conduit, sheath, bridge, railroad and right-of-way conflicts, and shared-risk link groups.
• Working knowledge of right-of-way, easement, utility and roadway crossing, and permitting dependencies for fiber construction, and how they drive carrier build schedules.
• Experience comparing dark fiber, IRU, wavelength and lit-service options on cost, term, diversity, delivery schedule and long-term value.
• Proficiency with GIS and KMZ route data and carrier network maps; able to produce route packages and diversity evidence that stand up to review.
• 5+ years of proven project management delivering telecommunications, fiber or critical-infrastructure programs across multiple concurrent sites.
• Executive presence and reporting: able to present a route recommendation with its risks and alternatives clearly to senior leadership, in writing and in person.
• Experience in a fast-paced growth environment and in solving complex problems with company-wide impact.
• OSHA 30.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Project, Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Preferred qualifications – network and telecommunications

• Outside-plant fiber and carrier delivery: long-haul and metro routes, carrier POP and carrier-hotel handoffs, diverse campus entrances, splicing and OTDR acceptance.
• Carrier and utility coordination in Texas and Oklahoma: TxDOT and county permitting, railroad crossings, electric utility pole and duct attachments, landowner easements.

• High-capacity network services: 100G/400G, DWDM and optical transport, and the route constraints that drive them.
• Portfolio demand planning: aggregating multi-year fiber demand across campuses and shaping carrier RFPs and master agreements with Procurement.
• Infrastructure records: route and diversity documentation in GIS, NetBox or other DCIM platforms.

Also highly regarded

• BICSI OSP, RTPM, FOA CFOT or equivalent outside-plant credentials.
• PM certification (PMP or equivalent) highly regarded but not required.
• Prior experience at a telecommunications carrier or fiber network operator in route engineering, network planning or construction.
• Data center or hyperscale/AI infrastructure experience.
• Familiarity with Primavera P6, Procore or Smartsheet.

Other important requirements

• A clear criminal record check is required.
• Must provide own steel-toed work boots; all other PPE is supplied.
• Must be based at or within reasonable reach of an IREN campus, or have plans to relocate before starting work; regular travel across campuses is required.
• IREN operates across multiple countries and time zones; a flexible approach to work hours is required, with travel to other IREN sites as needed.

Route planning and analysis

• Develop candidate routes for every campus connection and inter-campus link, from the campus entrance to the target carrier POP or carrier hotel.
• Review carrier-provided KMZ and network maps against independent sources; identify where routes share conduit, sheath, bridges, railroad crossings or right-of-way.
• Score candidate routes on diversity, distance, cost, delivery schedule, permitting risk and future capacity, and recommend a primary and secondary route for each campus.
• Define fiber-strand and capacity requirements per route with Network Engineering and the Senior Project Manager – Network Infrastructure Engineering.

Diversity validation

• Validate A/B route diversity for each campus and between campuses that share carriers, including no-common-sheath and shared-risk checks.
• Audit carrier diversity claims before contract signature and again before acceptance; document findings in a diversity register per campus.
• Apply the diversity and shared-risk criteria set by Infrastructure Engineering; escalate routes that cannot meet them with alternatives.

Make-versus-lease and commercial support

• Prepare make-versus-lease and IRU-versus-lit comparisons: construction cost, monthly recurring cost, contract term, ownership, diversity, schedule and long-term portfolio value.
• Support Procurement on carrier RFPs, master agreements and the technical scope of carrier contracts.
• Aggregate multi-year fiber demand across campuses so routes can be bought centrally rather than campus by campus.

Right-of-way, permitting and early engineering

• Identify right-of-way, easement, utility, roadway and railroad crossing dependencies on each candidate route, and the permits and approvals they require.
• Recommend and manage limited authorizations with carriers for engineering, permitting and construction RFQs ahead of full funding, so the construction clock starts early.
• Coordinate landowner, utility and local-government engagement with Development and the campus Project Directors.

New campus due diligence

• Assess carrier availability and route options for prospective campuses with Development before site layout is fixed.
• Define the duct-bank and entrance route options each site needs with the Senior Project Manager – Network Infrastructure Engineering.

Governance, tracking and handoff

• Run the route approval gate: assemble the route package (route, diversity evidence, cost comparison, permits, risks) for the Director, Network Delivery.
• Hand approved routes to the Senior Project Managers – Network Delivery (carrier delivery) for carrier ordering and execution, with the requirements the carrier must meet.
• Maintain the portfolio route tracker and contribute to the biweekly carrier connection report with route status, risks and decisions required.
• Capture lessons learned from each route and feed them into the campus connectivity standard.

Compensation

• Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and market data for the region.
• Total Compensation package may be inclusive of annual incentive bonus, equity (long-term incentive).
• Relocation (as applicable and based on successful candidate circumstances)

Health & Wellness

• 100% company paid health insurance premiums (medical, dental, and vision) for employees, 75% company paid coverage for dependents
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary life, critical illness, and accident coverage available
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) – when combined with the High Deductible Health Plan
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources

Retirement & Financial Wealth

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Access to financial planning and legal services

Time Off & Leave Programs

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays

Growth & Development

• Internal skills training and advancement pathways
• Professional development to support certifications, continuing education, or role related training

Community & Culture

• Company events and team-building activities

We value diverse perspectives and believe that skills can be developed. If you’re passionate about this role, we want to hear from you — whether you meet every criteria or not. Your unique experiences might be exactly what we need!
IE US Operations Inc., the employing entity and proud member of the IREN group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We are committed to evaluating qualified applicants and do not discriminate against protected characteristics under applicable legislation.
IE US Operations, Inc. “IREN” participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.