Freelance Network Engineer Remote Jobs in Alaska

GCI's Network Engineer III will apply engineering principles to multiple sub-groups within the Technology Solutions internal departments; responsible for architectural design, development, implementation, and support within the company and/or between business departments that follow telecommunication industry standards using engineering principles. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS:

• Ensures the integrity of high availability network infrastructure to provide maximum performance in design, implementation, and support. 
• Able to understand GCI standard engineering concepts of availability, efficiency, redundancy, scalability, and security.
• Able to Identify opportunities for continuous improvement of the current network and/or systems facilities.
• Maximizes performance using network monitoring tools, troubleshooting network and/or system outages, scheduling updates, and collaborating with architects on optimization.
• Maintains professional skillset by participating in educational opportunities, technical organizations, reading professional publications, and personal use of technology.
• Provides detailed reports on network operational status, and milestones related to project completion.
• Capable of remote site support for off-site personnel and customers.
• Coordinates with project management and engineering teams on a regular basis. Supports and manages escalation events. Develops and updates documentation and support materials. Mentors' junior engineers and technicians.

PILLAR ADDENDUMS:

CTO Planning & Engineering:  

Additional Engineer Job Duties & Disciplines

Provides technical expertise and strategic insight in the planning, development, and implementation of engineering solutions. This role bridges the gap between technology planning, project execution, and system optimization, ensuring that the organization's infrastructure aligns with its long-term goals and innovation strategies.

Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including software developers, systems engineers, and product managers, to design, evaluate, and implement complex technological solutions. Focuses on the technical and strategic planning of engineering initiatives, helping define and deliver projects that enhance the company's technology infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and drive business growth.

• System Design & Analysis
• Quality Assurance & Testing
• Security Engineering
• Network & Infrastructure Engineering
• Performance & Capacity Planning
• Automation & Scripting
• DevOps & Continuous Improvement
• Training & Development

CTO TECHNOLOGY ADDENDUMS:

CTO - Transport Engineer:

This role is part of CTO focused on technology related to Transport and Access Engineering.

Protocols & Standards:

TDM/ FDM                TCP/ UDP       DAA                                   OSPF

802.11 ax/ac/n          QoS               Circuit Layout Records          BGP

IS-IS                        Ethernet         CWDM/ DWDM                    T-Carrier Services (DS0,T1, etc) 

MPLS                       SONET           OTDR                       

Hardware and Software:

Nokia                       Metasolv                   Actellis                     Fujitsu           

Cisco WLC                Ciena                       Turin/ TransNav          Calix F5, C7, E7 / Calix CMS   

Ribbon                     Infinera                    BTI                          NEC

Transmode               Cisco ONS                 CLI software (putty, secureCRT, etc)

Various DACS hardware (including but not limited to Adtran, T::DAX, Acterna, Coastcom)

Various Remote test sets: Remote NIC, Digital Lightwave, DTM, Acterna RTM, etc

Preferred Certifications:

Nokia NRS I/II           CCNP                       PCNSA                                

SCTE                        JNCIP                       PCNSE                                

CMTS                       CCIE                        CCNA

JNCIA                       JNCIE                       JNCIS

COMPETENCIES:

• ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve. Take ownership and accountability of problems and facilitate finding a solution, involving other groups as necessary.  Own and manage priorities and individual tasks without direct supervision. Take initiative and seek out opportunities. Assess and accept risks and learn from mistakes. 
• BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI's Code of Conduct for Employees - the Basic Principles. Lead by example on all fronts.
• COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally, including the ability to explain technical concepts to all audiences. Decision making, problem solving, both technical and procedural. Build and maintain effective working relationships with leadership, peers, customers, and vendors.
• COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects company and customer confidential information; abides by GCI's Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
• CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction. Provide a professional level of service to both external and internal customers. 
• RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations.
• SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.
• COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances. Build and maintain effective working relationships with leadership, peers, customers, and vendors. Work to resolve problem relationships directly. Ability to work independently and within a team environment, professionally.
• RESULTS - Uses a combination of knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving. Ability to provide training to team members on technology.
• MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel). Knowledge of standard network engineering concepts. Ability to create and edit network diagrams.

Additional Job Requirements:

This is a senior level position and requires the ability to perform highly complex and diverse duties under deadlines and operating constraints. Design, plan, analyze, and implement networks delivering services across multiple company business departments.  Must be able to make independent engineering decisions and provide technical direction for resolution.  Responsible for review and provide final engineering design specifications and service requirements. Receives clear direction on assignment objectives, complex features, and possible solutions, supervisory assistance on unusual problems. Capable of performing project engineer on large projects with the ability of mentoring, coordinating, directing, assisting, and providing technical direction to junior engineers and technicians. Comprehensive understanding of standard engineering concepts such as high availability, redundancy, reliability and testing, security, and standards. Superior time management skills to manage multiple complex projects smoothly and professionally on time and on budget. 

Essential Duties for this position:

• Defines, designs, and implements complex projects utilizing standard telco engineering principles and concepts, efficiency, redundancy, availability, security, and scalability, responsible for new systems' planning and implementation.
• Defines KPIs for operational management, provides and updates operational documentation, training, and diagrams.
• Works with management and engineering staff to determine future architecture and planning requirements and assures that needs are met by proposed future designs and long-term plans.  Project coordination to include facilitating customer sales via technical support and engineering efforts.
•  Mentors and supports junior engineers and technicians.
•  Supports and manages escalations to resolution. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Technologies, Electrical Engineering, or relevant field. *
• Minimum of six (6) years' experience in progressive engineering in information technology, design and implementation using engineering principles, complex project management within telecommunications including technology insertion, or related background. *

Preferred:

• Experience within the telecommunications industry.
• Other telecom industry or job specific certifications. 

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS: 

This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel, such as between retail store locations, offices, worksites, or other locations as needed. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage.
• Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
• Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively.
• Ability to make valid judgments and decisions. 
• Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary. 
• Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers. 
• Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.

The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to an immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after hours contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services. Culture, Engagement, and Connection: At GCI, we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer. EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.  DISCLAIMER:  The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.