At Alaska Communications, we’re committed to putting our team first, always being customer focused, having a can-do attitude, owning our results and always acting with integrity. This is what we hire for and what our team members exhibit each day. Want to make an impact with us?

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Systems Engineer to design, implement, and maintain our advanced telecommunications network infrastructure, with a strong focus on Optical Transport Network (OTN) and Carrier Ethernet solutions. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise in Ciena, Fujitsu or similar platforms, ensuring high availability, performance, and security across both submarine and terrestrial systems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Network Design & Implementation: Lead the design and deployment of robust OTN and Layer 2 network solutions utilizing Ciena and Fujitsu platforms, ensuring alignment with business requirements and industry best practices.

• Submarine Systems Expertise: Provide technical authority and support for the engineering and commissioning of Ciena submarine cable systems, including in-station, segment, and overall network testing.

• Ciena SAOS Management: Manage, configure, and troubleshoot network equipment running various Ciena SAOS (Service Aware Operating System) releases (e.g., 81xx, 87xx, 39xx, 51xx platforms), including software upgrades and patch management.

• Layer 2 Network Support: Architect, implement, and maintain Layer 2 networks, ensuring seamless Ethernet transport and switching capabilities.

• Troubleshooting & Resolution: Serve as a subject matter expert for complex OTN and Layer 2 circuit troubleshooting, performing in-depth root cause analysis to diagnose and resolve service interruptions efficiently.

• Documentation & Standards: Create and maintain detailed network documentation, including low-level designs (LLD), configurations, circuit designs, and operational procedures, ensuring all documentation is current and accurate.

• Collaboration & Vendor Interface: Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Project Management, R&D, Operations) and serve as the primary technical interface with customers and third-party vendors (Ciena, Fujitsu) for support and problem resolution.

• Performance Monitoring: Monitor network performance using diagnostic tools to proactively identify and address potential issues, performing capacity planning and recommending optimization strategies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education Required

College diploma in the field of computer science, computer information systems, or computer engineering.

Relevant experience could be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Experience Required

• Proven experience and skills that relate to Network or Systems Engineer with hands-on experience in telecommunications environments.
• Deep expertise in OTN/DWDM and Carrier Ethernet platforms.
• Strong knowledge of Ciena SAOS releases and associated management systems (e.g., Blue Planet/MCP).
• Experience with optical transmission systems, submarine and long-haul transport, and Layer 2 networking protocols.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex, multi-vendor network issues under pressure.
• Proficiency in creating technical documentation, test plans, and Engineering Methods of Procedure (EMOPs).
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to participate in on-call rotations and perform maintenance during scheduled windows as required.

We hope you’ll join us as we change lives through technology.