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Outside Plant Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Outside Plant Engineer

Hayden, ID · On-site

$63K - $99K/yr

Outside Plant Engineering & Design Engineering design for outside plant all projects locally Engineering design and activity support for the ZFB Build projects Proactive review of outside plant ...

... engineering of telecommunications outside plant in a local serving exchange environment. The Outside Plant Engineer is a subject matter expert for all technical aspects of outside plant facilities ...

Outside Plant Engineer

Everett, WA · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

... engineering of telecommunications outside plant in a local serving exchange environment. The Outside Plant Engineer is a subject matter expert for all technical aspects of outside plant facilities ...

Outside Plant Engineer

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

... engineering of telecommunications outside plant in a local serving exchange environment. The Outside Plant Engineer is a subject matter expert for all technical aspects of outside plant facilities ...

Outside Plant Engineer

Everett, WA · On-site

$70K - $104K/yr

... engineering of telecommunications outside plant in a local serving exchange environment. The Outside Plant Engineer is a subject matter expert for all technical aspects of outside plant facilities ...

Category Engineering Open Date 10/27/2025 Close Date Created By Mark Griffin Description As a ... The desired candidate will have a proven work history in Outside Plant Engineering. We can provide ...

... Engineering support for all aspects of outside plant initiatives. The position will be responsible for fiber optic plant and deployments including staking, costing, permitting, and contractor ...

Ability to perform low level fiber engineering using GIS technology * Ability to perform field ... Strong understanding of outside plant engineering and construction * Knowledge of NESC and RUS ...

This position will work closely with a group of engineers and/or construction personnel to ensure that outside plant projects are completed on time, in scope and on budget. This may include ...

This position will work closely with a group of engineers and/or construction personnel to ensure that outside plant projects are completed on time, in scope and on budget. This may include ...

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Showing results 1-20

Outside Plant Engineering information

See salary details

$45K

$85.7K

$102.5K

How much do outside plant engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 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 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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership roles. These positions often require advanced technical skills, management responsibilities, and work in high-demand industries.

How much do outside plant engineers make?

Outside plant engineers typically earn between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. They often work outdoors installing and maintaining telecommunications infrastructure and may require knowledge of fiber optics and network systems.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

In the field of outside plant engineering, salaries reaching $500,000 annually are typically associated with senior-level roles, such as senior civil or telecommunications engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and often managerial responsibilities. Such high compensation may also include bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing, especially in large corporations or consulting firms. These roles usually require advanced certifications, a strong track record, and leadership in complex projects.

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 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 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.

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.
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:
Outside Plant Engineer

Outside Plant Engineer

Ziply Fiber

Hayden, ID • On-site

$63K - $99K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Ziply Fiber rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

64th of 82 rated telecommunications companies


Job description

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Position Title: Outside Plant Engineer<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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Base Salary: <\/span><\/span><\/b>$63,400 to $99,000 annually DOE<\/span><\/span>
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Benefits: <\/span><\/span><\/b>Medical, dental, vision, 401k, flexible spending account, paid sick leave and paid time off, parental leave, quarterly performance bonus, training, career growth and education reimbursement programs.<\/span><\/span>
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Ziply Fiber is a local internet service provider dedicated to elevating the connected lives of the communities we serve. We offer the fastest home internet in the nation, a refreshingly great customer experience, and affordable plans that put customers in charge. <\/span><\/span><\/a>
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As our state\-of\-the\-art fiber network expands, so does our need for team members who can help us grow and realize our goals.  <\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Our Company Values:<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
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  • Genuinely Caring: <\/span><\/b><\/span>We treat customers and colleagues like neighbors, with empathy and full attention. <\/span><\/span>
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    • Empowering You: <\/span><\/b><\/span>We help customers choose what is best for them, and we support employees in implementing new ideas and solutions. <\/span><\/span>
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      • Innovation and Improvement: <\/span><\/b><\/span>We constantly seek ways to improve how we serve customers and each other. <\/span><\/span>
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        • Earning Your Trust: <\/span><\/b><\/span>We build trust through clear, honest, human communication. <\/span><\/span>
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          Job Summary<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
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          The Outside Plant Engineer<\/b> will be<\/span><\/span><\/span> responsible for the application engineering of telecommunications outside plant in a local serving exchange environment. The Outside Plant Engineer is a subject matter expert for all technical aspects of outside plant facilities and associated work such as cable sizing, cable counts, cable records and permitting for ROW's and easements. This position works as a team member with Network Planning, Central Office, Transmission and Operations to support the growth, replacements, and upgrade of telecommunications plant facilities.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          Essential Duties and Responsibilities:<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
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          The Essential Duties and Responsibilities listed below are a range of duties performed by the employee and not intended to reflect all duties performed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          Outside Plant Engineering & Design<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Engineering design for outside plant all projects locally<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Engineering design and activity support for the ZFB Build projects<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Proactive review of outside plant facilities to determine necessary upgrades and enhancements<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Coordinate with all utilities for project design and construction to utilize joint trench<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Attend preconstruction meetings for project designs<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          Project Management & Construction Coordination<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Frontline project management for all construction activities associated with outside plant activity<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Communicate with state, county, city, and national indices to gain information on planned projects that involve growth and changes<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Communicate with all peers and departments to ensure proper project planning<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          Permitting, ROW, and Regulatory Support<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Apply for all permits as required (State, DNR, City, County, Townships)<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Maintain and investigate ROW's and easements for releases<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Respond to DOR's as needed<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          Records, Financial Support & CrossFunctional Support<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Maintain accurate cable records and updates<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Update records according to As\-Builts<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Prepare cost estimates for BDT's<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Assist in annual budget design<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Support sales, marketing, operations and regulatory as needed<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          Other Duties<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Performs other duties as required to support the business and evolving organization.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          Required Qualifications:<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>High school diploma or GED.<\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent work experience.<\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Minimum of three (3) years' experience in an outside plant position.<\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Outside plant construction project management experience and inventory management experience. <\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Experience in ROW, private easement and permitting with local, state, and federal entities.<\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Must demonstrate working knowledge of outside plant design, including cable count layouts and capacity planning.<\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Must possess and maintain a valid State Driver's License and satisfactory driving record.<\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Must complete a pre\-employment drug screening.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Knowledge of outside plant activity and engineering tools to include Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, etc. <\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Organizational skills, communication skills (written and verbal) and customer relations will be utilized in achieving desired results. <\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with Engineering team, regional managers, vendors, local supervisors, and technicians.<\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Ability to manage multiple projects in various stages of activity and meet critical deadlines.<\/span><\/span>
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                 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Ability to drive on behalf of the company in a safe and responsible manner.<\/span><\/span>
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          Work Authorization<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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          Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US for any employer.  <\/span>Sponsorship is not available for this position.<\/span><\/span>
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          Physical Requirements<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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          The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.<\/span><\/span><\/i>
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          Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, sitting, standing, or walking for prolonged periods of time, including walking up to 2 miles when in the field performing duties. The employee must occasionally lift and\/or move up to 25 pounds and frequently use hands and repetitive motions to drive stakes into ground using a hammer. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. This role requires driving and requires the ability to perform all functions of operating a motor vehicle regularly and safely.<\/span><\/span>
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          Work Environment and Additional Information<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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          Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and multi\-line telephone system. The work is primarily a modern office setting.<\/span><\/span>
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          At all times, Ziply Fiber must be your primary employer. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, employees may not hold outside employment nor be self\-employed without obtaining approval in writing from Ziply Fiber. In holding outside employment or self\-employment, employees should ensure that participation does not conflict with responsibilities to Ziply Fiber or its business interests.<\/span><\/span>
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          Diverse Workforce \/ EEO<\/span><\/span><\/b>
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          Ziply Fiber is an equal opportunity employer. Ziply Fiber will consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, and the presence of a non\-job\-related handicap or disability or any other legally protected status.<\/span><\/span><\/a>
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          Ziply Fiber requires a pre\-employment background check as conditions of employment. Ziply Fiber may require a pre\-employment drug screening.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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          Ziply Fiber is a drug free workplace.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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