Strategic Planning Specialist

We are seeking experienced Strategic Design Engineers with strong SDH, SONET, DWDM, and IP network expertise to support large-scale deployment and multi-year network migration programs across the United States. This role focuses on designing and executing strategic solutions to transition legacy, multi-vendor transport and IP networks to modernized platforms and technologies. The ideal candidate will have experience supporting complex backbone environments and leading network transformation initiatives involving high-capacity transport, circuit grooming, and infrastructure consolidation. Key Responsibilities • Develop and execute high-level strategic designs to support migration, consolidation, and grooming initiatives across transport and IP networks • Design both strategic and tactical transition plans for legacy SONET, SDH, DWDM, and IP platforms across multi-vendor environments • Engineer topology changes, including ring-based and mesh network configurations • Conduct circuit audits, capacity assessments, and inventory validation exercises • Perform access tail and vendor audits, analyze data discrepancies, and support reconciliation efforts • Collaborate cross-functionally with Fiber, DWDM, IP, Field Engineering, and Operations teams to ensure successful migration execution • Identify available capacity to enable efficient grooming and migration activities • Plan and engineer new 1G / 10G / 100G transport paths across DWDM and optical infrastructure • Define site-specific solutions and capacity requirements to support evolving traffic demands • Ensure adherence to Quality, Health & Safety, Environmental, and Information Security policies • Support additional project-related responsibilities as required Required Skills & Experience • Strong working knowledge of SONET, SDH, DWDM, OTN, and optical transport technologies • Solid understanding of IP networking principles and routing architectures • Demonstrated experience performing circuit audits, inventory reconciliation, and migration planning • Strong analytical skills with experience in data analysis and migration strategy development • Ability to design and deconstruct complex ROADM configurations with multi-degree optical paths • Experience supporting large-scale network modernization programs • Excellent communication skills with the ability to interface with both technical engineering teams and non-technical stakeholders • Familiarity with inventory systems such as Granite, TIRKS, or similar telecom asset management platforms (preferred) Additional Attributes • Experience working in large carrier or service-provider environments • Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, multi-year transformation program • Strong documentation and technical design writing skills