Outside Plant Engineer

Position Overview

Join the nation’s leading independent service provider for critical telecommunication and renewable energy infrastructure. We are a premier independent service provider with over 2,500 team members nationwide, delivering comprehensive engineering, maintenance, repair, and repowering solutions across wireless and wireline telecom, commercial and utility‑scale solar and wind projects, EV charging stations, large‑scale power generation, critical power and energy storage assets.

This role focuses on the design, planning, and implementation of outside plant (OSP) projects involving copper and fiber networks. You will manage budgets, ensure compliance with company and industry standards, and coordinate with municipal, utility, and contractor partners.

• Design and plan outside plant facilities for copper and fiber infrastructure (aerial, buried, conduit).
• Prepare and review engineering drawings, loop‑loss calculations, and switch‑serving area designs.
• Conduct field measurements for poles, conduits, and buried facilities to support network design.
• Develop project budgets, monitor actual costs, and conduct job inspections for quality assurance.
• Prepare, organize, and submit permit packages to relevant agencies.
• Ensure designs meet permitting regulations and engineering standards.
• Meet with municipal and government officials to coordinate around road projects.
• Collaborate with other utilities to coordinate relocations, minimize conflicts, and avoid project delays.
• Support service orders, subdivision expansions, road relocations, dark fiber MDUs, and more.
• Update FROGS (CAD), Varasset, and Site Tracker tools as required.
• Coordinate with SSP contractors to ensure timely and budget‑conscious project completion.
• Assist with make‑ready work and joint‑use coordination for Frontier‑owned poles.
• Conduct site surveys, support PUC complaint investigations, and create capital projects.
• Address and resolve plant damage requests (DOR/PDR), cable count changes, and other network service needs.
• Maintain records, update engineering files, and process departmental documentation.
• Draft and type correspondence, reports, and engineering support documents.

• 3‑5+ years of hands‑on experience in copper and fiber‑optic network engineering.
• Minimum 5 years in network engineering or OSP‑related work, including permitting and fiber record management.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Frontier engineering tools and systems, including FROGS, Varasset, and Site Tracker.
• Skilled in communication and collaboration with municipal officials, utility companies, contractors, and cross‑functional teams.
• In‑depth knowledge of permitting procedures and OSP construction practices.
• Willingness to travel locally for fieldwork and meetings (mileage reimbursed).
• Must reside within 1 hour of Freeport, IL, to support regional field requirements.

Base Pay Range: $36 USD – $38 USD per hour.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, vision, and dental insurance; 401(k) with employer match; paid time off; tuition reimbursement; and professional development courses.

Additional compensation opportunities include performance and referral bonuses, production incentives, tool/equipment and fuel stipends, company vehicle, per diem, and other applicable compensation.

Pearce provides a family‑friendly, innovative culture with opportunities for growth, a competitive compensation package, and resources such as a company vehicle, phone, laptop or tablet, and all necessary tools and safety equipment required for the role.

At PEARCE, we are an equal‑opportunity employer dedicated to cultivating an inclusive environment that empowers employees to excel and make a meaningful impact.