Network Operations Engineer I

Job Title: Network Operations Engineer I – (Optical and IP Engineer)

Job Overview:

The Network Operations Engineer I is a technical role responsible for monitoring,

troubleshooting, and maintaining the health of Optical and IP networks in a 24x7 operational

environment. This role is ideal for engineers who want to build a strong technical foundation in

network operations while working alongside experienced engineers and Team Leads.

This role is primarily hands-on and execution-focused, with the majority of time spent monitoring

network health, responding to alarms and tickets, and performing first-level troubleshooting

under the guidance of senior engineers.

Scope:

● Monitor optical and IP network health through NOC tools, dashboards, and alarm

systems.

● Perform first-level triage and troubleshooting of network incidents and alarms.

● Open, update, and manage tickets through resolution or escalation.

● Follow established runbooks, procedures, and escalation paths.

● Support senior engineers and Team Leads during incidents and maintenance events.

● Build foundational knowledge of optical transport and IP routing technologies.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Network Monitoring & Alarm Response

● Continuously monitor network dashboards, alarms, and event queues for optical

(DWDM, CWDM) and IP (IPv4/IPv6, MPLS, BGP, OSPF) networks.

● Identify, acknowledge, and classify alarms based on severity and impact.

● Perform initial diagnostics to determine likely cause before escalating.

● Escalate complex, high-impact, or cross-domain issues to Network Operations

Engineers II/III or the Team Lead.

Ticket & Case Management

● Open and maintain accurate, detailed documentation for all cases and incidents worked.

● Track tickets through to resolution, following up with internal teams and external vendors

as needed.

● Communicate status updates clearly to stakeholders and shift leads

● Assist with post-restoration checks to confirm service stability.

Learning & Skill Development

● Participate in shadowing, mentoring, and knowledge-transfer sessions with senior

engineers.

● Develop working knowledge of multi-vendor equipment (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, Ciena,

Nokia, Infinera).

● Pursue relevant training and certifications to grow technical expertise over time.

● Contribute to and help maintain runbooks and knowledge-base articles based on

hands-on experience.

Collaboration & Operational Support

● Coordinate with service providers, colocation facilities, ISPs, and vendors under

guidance during incidents.

● Support handoffs between shifts and provide clear shift-turnover documentation.

● Assist with routine maintenance activities and scheduled network changes.

● Follow change management and SLA adherence procedures.

Required Qualifications & Skills

● Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

● 2 years of experience in network operations, IT, or a related technical field (internships

and hands-on labs count).

● Foundational understanding of networking concepts (TCP/IP, routing, switching).

● Willingness to learn optical transport technologies (DWDM, CWDM, fiber types, optics,

patch panels).

● Strong attention to detail and accurate documentation habits.

● Clear written and verbal communication skills.

● Ability to work effectively in a 24x7 shift-based operational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

● Exposure to IP routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, MPLS, IPv4/IPv6, LLDP).

● Familiarity with NOC monitoring or ticketing tools.

● Entry-level certifications such as CCNA, JNCIA, or equivalent (or actively pursuing).

● Prior experience in a help desk, NOC, or technical support role. Physical Demands &

Work Environment

● Ability to perform office-related tasks, including prolonged sitting or standing.

● Capability to move within an office environment and effectively use a computer.

● Must have strong communication skills for effective collaboration and coordination.

● Occasional repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers may be required.

● Availability to work rotating shifts, including, weekends, and holidays as required in a

24x7 environment.