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Outside Plant Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The primary function of the Outside Plant Engineer Specialist II is to plan and prepare drawings for construction of new, and removal or rearrangement of existing, overhead, surface-mounted, or ...

New

The primary function of the Outside Plant Engineer Specialist II is to plan and prepare drawings for construction of new, and removal or rearrangement of existing, overhead, surface-mounted, or ...

New

IQ Fiber is seeking a Manager, Outside Plant Engineering to oversee the planning, design, and execution of outside plant (OSP) construction and maintenance activities. This role leads cross ...

Position Summary IQ Fiber is seeking a Manager, Outside Plant Engineering to oversee the planning, design, and execution of outside plant (OSP) construction and maintenance activities. This role ...

IQ Fiber is seeking a Manager, Outside Plant Engineering to oversee the planning, design, and execution of outside plant (OSP) construction and maintenance activities. This role leads cross ...

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Outside Plant Engineering information

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$45K

$85.7K

$102.5K

How much do outside plant engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for outside plant engineering in the United States is $85,730.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,500.00 and $102,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is outside plant engineering?

Outside Plant Engineering (OSP) refers to the design, installation, and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure that is located outside of buildings. This includes everything from underground and aerial cabling, conduits, utility poles, and fiber optic networks, to the associated hardware needed for reliable communication services. OSP engineers plan and manage projects to ensure high performance, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards. Their work is critical to enabling internet, telephone, and data services for residential and commercial customers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an outside plant engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Outside Plant Engineer, you need a solid background in telecommunications engineering, network design, and construction practices, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with GIS software, AutoCAD, and industry standards like BICSI or FOA certifications is often required. Strong project management, problem-solving, and communication skills help you coordinate with teams and address field challenges. These competencies are crucial for ensuring reliable network infrastructure, timely project delivery, and effective cross-functional collaboration.

What are some typical challenges faced by outside plant engineering professionals, and how can they be addressed?

Outside Plant Engineering professionals often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders, adapting to changing project requirements, and dealing with unpredictable field conditions like weather or site accessibility. Effective communication and strong project management skills are essential for addressing these issues. Staying updated on industry standards and leveraging modern mapping and design software can also help streamline workflows and reduce errors during implementation.

What is the difference between Outside Plant Engineering vs Network Design Engineer?

AspectOutside Plant EngineeringNetwork Design Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications like CLEP or PMP often preferredEngineering or IT degree, certifications like CCNA or Cisco certifications
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, outdoor installation sites, telecom infrastructureOffice-based, network planning, and virtual design work
Industry UsageTelecom, broadband providers, utility companiesTelecom, data centers, network service providers

Outside Plant Engineering focuses on the physical infrastructure of telecom networks, including installation and maintenance of cables and equipment outdoors. Network Design Engineers concentrate on planning and designing network layouts and configurations, often working in office settings. While both roles require technical knowledge and industry certifications, their primary responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

What does an outside plant engineer do?

An outside plant engineer designs, installs, maintains, and repairs telecommunications infrastructure such as fiber optic cables, poles, and underground conduits outside buildings. They often work outdoors in various weather conditions and use tools like CAD software and testing equipment to ensure network reliability and performance.
More about Outside Plant Engineering jobs

What states have the most Outside Plant Engineering jobs?

States with the most job openings for Outside Plant Engineering jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Outside Plant Engineering jobs?

For Outside Plant Engineering jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Outside Plant Engineering job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,730 per year, or $41.2 per hour.

Outside Plant Engineering Specialist

Gonzales, LA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

JOB SUMMARY:
The primary function of the Outside Plant Engineer Specialist II is to plan and prepare drawings for construction of new, and removal or rearrangement of existing, overhead, surface-mounted, or underground lines, cables, conduits, and transmission systems to obtain optimum, economical, and legal location and operation of communications facilities by performing the following duties. This position efficiently uses corporate resources by applying the appropriate engineering practices and procedures for outside plant design and construction.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: (include but are not limited to)
  • Collects and records geographic subscriber growth on a routine basis and the performance of growth forecast
  • Prepares proposed facility schematics for use in feeder and distribution facility design
  • Performs job cost estimates related to Outside Plant Engineering projects for feasibility purposes upon request
  • Assists in activities related to facility percent utilization monitoring
  • Prepares construction drawings and procure and file right-of-way permits
  • Inspects work quality and quantity both during and after those outside plant construction projects assigned by the Outside Plant Engineering Supervisor
  • Completes performance of acceptance testing and final document material tabulations necessary for contract close-outs
  • Maintains Continued Property Records, in particular, those associated with outside plant facilities
  • Ensures staking and installation of outside plant facilities comply with tariff, FCC, NEC, and other regulatory agency requirements
  • Assists departmental budget preparation related to proposed and planned construction projects
  • Maintains a clean and safe workplace in and around a subscriber's home or business
  • Assists OSP Engineering Supervisor in planning and coordination of all Outside Plant Facility construction and rearrangement activities
  • Inspects truck equipment such as tires, lights, brakes, gas, oil, and water and performs emergency roadside repairs such as changing tires
  • Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
  • Stimulates morale among fellow employees by example of behavioral conduct
  • Works to maintain and enhance the public image of the organization
  • Adheres to and encourages adequate safety practice
  • Reports violations of safety to Central Office Facilities Manager immediately
  • Uses corporate resources effectively and efficiently to perform all job-related duties
  • Readily accepts criticism to job performance with the intention of diligently seeking improvement upon those areas
  • Continuously evaluates own performance to identify areas need improvement, then takes appropriate actions to improve

BEHAVIORS:
  • Upholds and acts in accordance with REV's Guiding Principles.

EVALUATION:
Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with procedures established by the company on the evaluation of management personnel.
QUALIFICATIONS & PREREQUISITES
Required:
  • High School diploma or general education degree (GED)
  • Basic drafting skills with the ability to read, interpret, and update outside plant construction drawings, maps, and facility records
  • Basic understanding of fiber optic outside plant construction practices, including aerial, buried, underground, conduit, handhole, and pedestal placement
  • Ability to identify and document fiber routes, splice locations, pole attachments, slack storage, drops, and related construction requirements
  • Ability to perform field reviews, collect accurate site information, and verify construction conditions for fiber build-outs and facility rearrangements
  • Working knowledge of safety practices related to outside plant construction, utility locating, work zones, and field inspections
  • Ability to communicate clearly with contractors, internal departments, supervisors, and other stakeholders regarding fiber construction requirements and project status

Preferred:
  • Three to five years of related outside plant engineering, fiber construction, telecommunications, or utility construction experience and/or training
  • Equivalent combination of education, technical training, and related field experience
  • Experience in the telecommunications industry, with emphasis on fiber-to-the-home, fiber backbone, middle-mile, or distribution fiber construction projects
  • Experience preparing or reviewing fiber design packages, staking sheets, construction prints, as-built documentation, and material estimates
  • Familiarity with GIS mapping systems, CAD or drafting software, fiber management systems, and construction tracking tools
  • Knowledge of permitting, right-of-way, make-ready, pole attachment, joint-use, and utility coordination processes
  • Understanding of fiber splicing, testing, OTDR results, loss budgets, and acceptance documentation
  • Experience coordinating with construction contractors and inspecting completed fiber construction for compliance with company standards and project specifications

GENERAL INFORMATION:
This job description does not restrict the company's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time. This job description is subject to change at any time.