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Director Of Network Planning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Director Of Network Planning information

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$48.5K

$130.2K

$269K

How much do director of network planning jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of network planning in the United States is $130,243.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $148,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of network planning do?

A Director of Network Planning is responsible for overseeing the strategic design, development, and optimization of a company's network infrastructure. This role involves analyzing current and future network needs, leading a team of planners and engineers, and collaborating with other departments to ensure efficient network operations. They also evaluate new technologies, manage budgets, and develop long-term plans to improve connectivity, reliability, and capacity. Their work is crucial for organizations that depend heavily on robust and scalable network systems.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of network planning when coordinating with cross-functional teams?

A Director of Network Planning often encounters challenges such as aligning network strategies with the goals of other departments like engineering, operations, and sales. Balancing competing priorities, managing resource constraints, and ensuring effective communication across teams are common hurdles. Success in this role requires strong collaboration skills, the ability to negotiate and build consensus, and a strategic mindset to integrate feedback from multiple stakeholders while keeping projects on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of network planning, and why are they important?

To excel as a Director of Network Planning, you typically need expertise in network design, capacity planning, and strategic analysis, often supported by a degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with network simulation tools, data analytics platforms, and project management software, as well as certifications such as CCNP or PMP, is highly valued. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for leading teams and aligning network strategies with organizational goals. These competencies enable the creation of robust, scalable networks that support business growth and operational efficiency.

What is the difference between Director Of Network Planning vs Network Engineer?

AspectDirector Of Network PlanningNetwork Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or master's in network engineering, business, or related field; certifications like CCNP, CCIEAssociate's or bachelor's in network engineering or related field; certifications like CCNA, CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, overseeing teams, high-level decision makingImplementing, configuring, troubleshooting network systems
Employer & Industry UsageTelecommunications, large enterprises, ISPsIT departments, service providers, corporate networks

The Director Of Network Planning focuses on strategic network development and planning at a high level, while a Network Engineer handles the technical implementation and maintenance of network systems. Both roles require relevant certifications and work within similar industries, but their responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What cities are hiring for Director Of Network Planning jobs?

Cities with the most Director Of Network Planning job openings:

What states have the most Director Of Network Planning jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Of Network Planning jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Network Planning jobs?

For Director Of Network Planning jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Director Of Network Planning job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 18% Full Time, 80% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,243 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Network Planning Engineer

Overland Park, KS • On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Cogent Communications is a global, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP, consistently ranked as one of the top five networks in the world and is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol CCOI. Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high-speed Internet access and Ethernet transport services. Cogent's facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides IP services globally. Since its inception, Cogent has unleashed the benefits of IP technology, building one of the largest and highest capacity IP networks in the world. This network enables Cogent to offer large bandwidth connections at highly competitive prices. Cogent also offers superior customer support by virtue of its end-to-end control of service delivery and network monitoring. A competitive base salary and a full benefits package including; Health, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off (PTO), Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Holidays, Parental Leave, 401(k) plan with employer match, stock options, and an Employee Assistance Program. Most benefits take effect within 30 days of employment, and some require a waiting period.

Job Summary:

The Network Planning Engineer is responsible for the planning and engineering of DWDM optical transport networks across major metropolitan markets in North America. This role evaluates customer orders, determines network augmentation requirements, and prepares the technical documentation needed to support network growth and expansion. The Network Planning Engineer works closely with Network Operations, Field Services, and Sales Engineering to ensure the network is provisioned ahead of demand, and plays a key role in analyzing traffic trends and driving automation to improve planning efficiency.

Compensation:

[Starting / Initial] Base Salary Pay Range: $70,000 - $90,000

Specific offers within the listed pay ranges are determined by a variety of factors such as experience, education, skills, certifications and business needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Plan and engineer DWDM 10GE, 100GE, and 400GE optical transport networks in major metropolitan markets across North America.
  • Evaluate and approve customer orders and determine network augmentation requirements.
  • Prepare Bill of Materials (BoM) and Statement of Work (SOW) documentation for complex network growth and expansion projects.
  • Analyze traffic patterns to inform network planning and future growth strategies.
  • Drive automation through the development of network planning tools.
  • Collaborate with Network Operations, Field Services, and Sales Engineering teams to support network build-outs and augmentations.
  • Maintain accurate records of network capacity, inventory, and forecasted growth.
  • Support the resolution of network capacity issues in coordination with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications:

  • Planning and engineering of DWDM 10GE, 100GE, and 400GE optical transport networks in major metropolitan markets in North America.
  • Evaluate & approve customer orders and determine network augmentation requirements.
  • Prepare Bill of Materials (BoM) and Statement of Work (SOW) for complex network growth and expansion projects.
  • Analyze traffic patterns to drive network inference into future growth strategies.
  • Drive automation through network tool development.
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
  • Familiarity with 10GE, 100GE, and 400GE technologies.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret traffic patterns and forecast network growth.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Proficient in the following areas:

  • Knowledge of optical transport network architecture and design principles.
  • Understanding of network capacity planning and augmentation processes.
  • Familiarity with network automation and scripting tools (e.g., Python) is a PLUS.
  • Experience with network planning or inventory management software is a PLUS.
  • Knowledge of IP/MPLS networking concepts is a PLUS.

NOTE: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications.

Cogent Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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