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Contract Optical Transport Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bold Business

DWDM Engineer

Atlanta, GA

$124K - $160K/yr

Role We are seeking a highly skilled Certified DWDM Engineer to join our optical transport team. In this role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle--design, deployment, and ...

Ribbon Communications

IP Optical Sales Engineer

As an IP Optical Sales Engineer, this individual will be primarily responsible for working closely ... L2VPN, L3-VPN & EVPN • Understanding DWDM Optical Transport Technologies • Position new ...

TekSynap

Transport Engineer

Arlington, VA

Must possess a Top Secret/SCI clearance Overview We are seeking a Transport Engineer to join our ... Employees are required to comply with any vaccination requirements mandated by contract, applicable ...

TekSynap

Transport Engineer

Arlington, VA

Overview We are seeking a Transport Engineer to join our team supporting DISA JSP ETM in Arlington ... Employees are required to comply with any vaccination requirements mandated by contract, applicable ...

TekSynap

Transport Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

Must possess a Top Secret/SCI clearance Overview We are seeking a Transport Engineer to join our ... Employees are required to comply with any vaccination requirements mandated by contract, applicable ...

TekSynap

Transport Engineer

Arlington, VA

Must possess a Top Secret/SCI clearance We are seeking a Transport Engineer to join our team ... Employees are required to comply with any vaccination requirements mandated by contract, applicable ...

Northwoodspace

Network Engineer - Backbone

Torrance, CA · On-site

$160K - $220K/yr

Deploy optical transport systems - Install and configure DWDM, optical switches, and fiber ... Build service provider relationships - Negotiate contracts and technical requirements with carriers ...

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Contract Optical Transport Engineer information

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$83K

$143.6K

$168.5K

How much do contract optical transport engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract optical transport engineer in the United States is $143,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do Contract Optical Transport Engineers typically collaborate with internal teams and external vendors during network deployment projects?

As a Contract Optical Transport Engineer, you’ll regularly collaborate with internal teams such as network planning, operations, and field technicians to ensure seamless network deployments and upgrades. You’ll also work closely with external vendors and equipment suppliers to coordinate equipment deliveries, troubleshoot issues, and validate system integration according to project requirements. Effective communication and documentation are essential, as you’ll often bridge technical details between stakeholders, facilitating smooth project execution and minimizing downtime.

What is a Contract Optical Transport Engineer?

A Contract Optical Transport Engineer is a telecommunications professional who specializes in the design, implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of optical transport networks, such as fiber optic systems, for a specific period or project. These engineers work on a contractual basis rather than as permanent employees, often supporting network upgrades, expansions, or troubleshooting efforts. Their responsibilities include configuring optical equipment, ensuring network reliability, optimizing performance, and supporting data transmission over long distances. They commonly collaborate with network architects, field technicians, and vendors to ensure seamless network operations.

What is the difference between Contract Optical Transport Engineer vs Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician?

AspectContract Optical Transport EngineerNetwork Operations Center (NOC) Technician
CertificationsOptical or Network Certifications (e.g., CCNA, CWNA)Network+ or similar certifications
Work EnvironmentField sites, telecom providers, data centersNetwork operation centers, offices
Industry UsageTelecom, internet service providers, data networksTelecom, ISPs, enterprise networks

The Contract Optical Transport Engineer focuses on designing, installing, and maintaining optical fiber networks, often working on-site with telecom providers. In contrast, the NOC Technician monitors and troubleshoots network issues from a centralized location. Both roles require technical certifications and industry experience but differ in daily tasks and work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Optical Transport Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Optical Transport Engineer, you typically need a strong background in optical networking, DWDM/SONET systems, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with network management platforms, fiber characterization tools, and industry certifications like Cisco or Juniper are often required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills help you excel in cross-functional teams and adapt to evolving network demands. These competencies are crucial for designing, implementing, and maintaining reliable high-capacity optical transport networks.
What cities are hiring for Contract Optical Transport Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Optical Transport Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Transport Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Optical Transport Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Optical Transport Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Optical Transport Engineer jobs include:
Contract Optical Transport Engineer jobs near you
DWDM Engineer

DWDM Engineer

Bold Business

Atlanta, GA

$124K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Be an early applicant

Job description

Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Certified DWDM Engineer to join our optical transport team. In this role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle—design, deployment, and optimization—of our high-capacity Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) networks.

As a "Certified" specialist, you are expected to bring verified expertise in industry-leading platforms (such as Ciena, Nokia, or Cisco) to ensure our fiber-optic backbone operates with maximum spectral efficiency and 99.999% reliability.

Key Responsibilities
  1. Network Design & Planning
  • Optical Path Engineering: Conduct link budget analysis, OSNR (Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio) calculations, and chromatic dispersion compensation planning.
  • Capacity Management: Design wavelength allocation maps and manage the growth of C-band and L-band spectrum to meet increasing data demands.
  • Architecture Design: Develop resilient network topologies, including ring protection (SNCP), mesh restoration, and ROADM (Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer) configurations.
  1. Implementation & Integration
  • Commissioning: Lead the physical installation, power-up, and software configuration of DWDM shelves, transponders, amplifiers (EDFAs/Raman), and multiplexers.
  • Vendor Coordination: Work closely with hardware vendors to integrate new-generation coherent optics (e.g., 400G/800G+ wavelengths) into existing legacy fiber plants.
  • Circuit Provisioning: Manage the end-to-end provisioning of high-bandwidth services (Ethernet, OTN, Fibre Channel) across the optical transport layer.
  1. Maintenance & Troubleshooting
  • Advanced Diagnostics: Utilize OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer), OSA (Optical Spectrum Analyzer), and BERT (Bit Error Rate Test) equipment to localize fiber faults and signal degradation.
  • NOC Support: Act as the Tier 3 escalation point for complex optical layer incidents, performing deep-dive root cause analysis on "flapping" links or high Pre-FEC BER issues.
  • Performance Tuning: Monitor and optimize optical power levels and gain tilt across long-haul spans to maintain signal integrity.

Required Skills & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related technical field.
  • Deep understanding of ITU-T G.709 (OTN) standards, WDM physics, and fiber types (G.652, G.655).
  • Proficiency with Network Management Systems (NMS) and SDN controllers for optical automation.
  • Experience using optical modeling software (e.g., Ciena OnePlanner, Nokia 1830 EPT, or VPIphotonics).

Professional Certifications (Preferred)
  • Ciena: Optical Communications Professional (OC-P) or Consultant (OC-C).
  • Nokia: Certified Optical Network Professional (ONP).
  • Cisco: CCNP Optical or specialized Cisco Transport certificates.
  • General: OTT Certified Optical Network Engineer (CONE).

The Ideal Candidate

You are a "fiber-first" engineer who thrives on the physics of light. You understand that a single fiber break can impact terabits of data, and you possess the meticulous attention to detail required to manage the invisible infrastructure that powers the modern internet.

Industry Insight 2026: Preference will be given to candidates with experience in 400ZR/ZR+ pluggable optics and SDN-based optical grooming.

About Bold Business:

Bold Business is a US-based global business process outsourcing (BPO) firm with over 25 years of experience and $7B+ in client engagements. We help fast-growing companies scale through smart talent strategies, automation, and technology-driven solutions.

Bold Business recruiters always use a "@boldbusiness.com" email address and/or from our Applicant Tracking System, Greenhouse. Any variation of this email domain should be considered suspicious. Additionally, Bold Business recruiters and authorized representatives will never request sensitive information in email or via text.