Network Planner

Position Title: Network Planner (P4)

Company Summary

Crown Castle is the nation’s largest provider of shared communications infrastructure: towers, small cells and fiber. It all works together to meet unprecedented demand—connecting people and communities and transforming the way we do business. Whenever you make a call, track a workout or stream music and videos, we’re the ones providing the communications infrastructure that makes it all possible. From 5G and the internet of things to drones, autonomous vehicles and AR/VR, we enable the technologies that help people stay safe, connected and ready for the future. Crown Castle is publicly traded on the S&P 500, and one of the largest Real Estate Investment Trusts in the US, with an enterprise value of ~$70B.

We offer a total benefits package and professional growth development for teammates in any stage of their career. Along with caring for our teammates, we’re an active member in the communities where we live, work and do business. We have a responsibility to give back, which we do through our Connected by Good program. Giving back allows us to improve public spaces where people connect, promote public safety and advance access to education and technology.

Role

Responsible for managing all aspects of fiber route design, network capacity management, and long-range network planning for an assigned area within a Crown Castle Fiber region. Works with Network Planning and Engineering to ensure network designs meet all established standards. Responsible for interfacing with other organizations to establish standards and best practices for capacity management of optical fiber cable, conduits, and passive network systems that extend the useful life of inside and outside plant assets. Leads network design and planning in collaboration with fiber construction teams on proposed large-scale fiber network projects. Establishes design solutions for network expansion and large or complex customer network designs. Collects and analyzes network capacity data to forecast fiber capacity exhaustion and initiates projects to proactively address capacity constraints. Utilize data to initiate projects to overbuild networks, optimize fiber routes, and/or address densification of metro services according to established network architecture standards. Develop business cases and projects to address forecasted capacity constraints to meet customer demand. This position will work cross functionally within a matrix organizational structure to achieve implementation goals in conjunction with RF Engineering, Fiber Engineering & Operations, Regulatory, Finance Product Development and Supply Chain Management.

Responsibilities

• Create fiber network designs for large customer opportunities in support of RFPs
• Utilize network inventory databases and design tools to design custom solutions for customers and network capacity
• Collect and analyze data from network inventory databases and other sources to develop utilization trends and exhaustion forecasts for the regional and/or district networks on a monthly basis and publish reports.
• Use trending information to estimate exhaust timeframes for each of the parameters being tracked
• Review any capacity exceptions to make a determination/recommendation on the necessary actions to address/mitigate Develop/evaluate network enhancement alternatives and put forth business case recommendations for management
• Monitor adherence to published standards. Develop corrective action plans to address any issues identified. Support the development and implementation of new standards.
• Provide recommendations for network data improvements.

Expectations

• Excellent communication skills
• Strong problem solving skills
• Strong project management skills with attention to details; PMP certification a plus
• Ability to work under pressure, complete assigned tasks under stressful situations and large workload balances with strategic partners.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment
• Detail oriented with strong written and verbal skills
• Self-motivated and to make critical decisions
• Knowledge of telecommunications and wireless communications a plus
• A positive attitude and desire to deliver exceptional results for our customers.
• Personal commitment to safety, integrity, and continual professional development

Education/Certifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or related field preferred

Experience/Minimum Requirement

• Minimum five (5) + years of telecommunications experience or equivalent work experience required
• Strong background with GIS based mapping systems
• General knowledge of telecommunications network design (i.e. DWDM, MPLS, and wireless system connectivity)
• Experienced with fiber optic splicing and testing procedures
• Extensive knowledge of both outside & inside plant fiber construction design, cabling products and distribution architectures
• Capable of leading a project from design concept to network implementation
• Technical writing skills with high proficiency to produce white papers, test cases, test plans, design documents, and technical diagram
• Knowledge of Outside Plant Construction techniques (aerial & underground) preferred

Organizational Relationship

Reports to: Manager Fiber Engineering

Title(s) of direct reports (if applicable): N/A

Working Conditions: This role falls into our hybrid work model working in your assigned office approximately 60% of the time (3 days per week) and where you do your best work 40% (2 days per week). There is an expectation of collaboration with teammates and stakeholders for moments that matter that could require travel.

#LI-SD1 #LI-Hybrid

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)