Telecom Engineer in Gulfport, Mississippi

Telecommunications Engineer

Purpose

This role involves regional and system-level design and support for Southern Company’s optical telecommunications systems and infrastructure. The focus will be on designing and maintaining the company’s long-haul DWDM systems and outside plant fiber networks. Additionally, the role will offer third-level support for other telecom Services department optical telecommunications systems such as SEL ICON and Nokia SARs. The position is expected to handle design, maintenance, and Infrastructure Services requests with minimal supervision and effectively collaborate with various cross-functional teams such as the IOC, Aggregate Services, Edge Services, Field Operations, Power Delivery, and external parties including vendors and partners. 

Job Responsibilities                                              

Manage the engineering, procurement, and third-level support of Southern Company’s enterprise optical transport network.

Work with a team of engineers and analysts in the design and implementation of network infrastructure.

Oversee the optical network design supporting Southern Company’s core business, including equipment procurement and vendor management.

Participate in contract negotiations and manage relationships with optical vendors.

Implement management tools and processes for effective transport management.

Proactively identify and communicate transport risk to your team and Telecom Services.

Ensure accurate vendor invoicing and compliance with service contracts.

Manage and adhere to budget constraints.

Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies to enhance network capabilities.

Support disaster recovery efforts, including the management of backhaul recovery and emergency deployments.

Analyze traffic and leverage analytics to determine necessary DWDM capacity to support transport network growth.

Job Requirements

In-depth knowledge of optical transport networks, including Ciena DWDM is essential.

Experience with Ethernet, TCP/IP, and MPLS communication networks.

Financial acumen and the ability to understand and manage budgets, risks, and engineering aspects related to telecommunications data and transport services.

Knowledge of Southern Company’s enterprise networks, policies, and practices.

Strong negotiation skills are required for contract management, aiming for optimal price/service agreements.

Excellent oral, written, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills for effective complex technical communications with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Demonstrated personal computer skills (Office 365)

Knowledge and understanding of IT security requirements.

Knowledge of layers one, two, and three of the OSI model.

Self-motivated with the ability to effectively manage multiple project responsibilities simultaneously.

Team-oriented with a strong work ethic.

Ability to build relationships, to communicate and work with all levels of management, vendors, and other internal and external groups and customers and exhibit positive influence at all levels.

Triage request work that flows to the Telecom Services Core department.

Strategic thinker that can embrace, influence, and lead change. 

Competencies

Ability to perform every task safely

General knowledge of Southern Company’s core business.

General knowledge of information technologies (those currently used within the system and new technologies).

General knowledge of IT infrastructure components.

General knowledge of Power Delivery SCADA systems and AMI network.

Understand engineering, analysis, design discipline and methodology.

Ability to effectively organize tasks, manage multiple detailed priorities, meet schedules, and deliver on customer commitments.

Ability to negotiate with and influence others, internally as well as vendors

Ability to build relationships and work in a team atmosphere

Ability to provide and accept feedback

Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills

Demonstrate Southern Company Our Values

Professional oral and written communication skills

* *

Education

Degree required; BS/BA in Engineering or a related field

Work Location and Hours:

The successful candidate must have a reliable internet connection capable of ≥5Mbps.

There will be occasional travel required for face-to-face training and meetings.

The successful candidate must live in the Alabama or Mississippi to travel to telecom locations and meetings

Subject to 24×7 call out rotation.

This is a hybrid work location position.

* This job description does not, nor is it intended to represent an exhaustive listing of all duties, tasks or responsibilities for the position listed. Based upon individual experience and teamwork load, responsibilities are assigned in varying degrees.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 10824

Job Category: Information Technology

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern Company Services