Network Engineer

Overview Pacific Dataport is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to design, implement, commission, operate, and troubleshoot carrier-class infrastructure that connects satellite gateways, teleports, data centers, fiber transport systems, and remote communications sites across Alaska. This is a senior individual-contributor role for an engineer who enjoys moving between architecture, configuration, field commissioning, and complex problem resolution. The successful candidate will own technical outcomes, serve as a Tier III escalation resource, and work closely with operations teams, vendors, satellite partners, contractors, and customers. The role does not include routine people-management or budget-management responsibilities. Key Responsibilities Design and evolve resilient carrier-class IP/MPLS networks supporting satellite gateway, teleport, data center, backbone, and customer-service environments. Configure and support routing, switching, optical transport, security, and service-delivery platforms, including equipment from Juniper, Cisco, Nokia, Ciena, and Fortinet. Engineer and troubleshoot BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, MPLS, EVPN/VXLAN, VLANs, QoS, Carrier Ethernet, and IPv4/IPv6 services. Integrate LEO and GEO satellite gateway systems with terrestrial IP, Ethernet, optical, and data center infrastructure; coordinate interfaces with satellite operators and technology partners. Plan and execute equipment installation, turn-up, testing, acceptance, and commissioning at teleports, earth stations, data centers, central offices, and remote Alaska sites. Engineer and troubleshoot fiber and optical transport systems, including DWDM/CWDM links; perform loss testing, OTDR analysis, and fault isolation. Provide Tier III support for complex incidents; use packet capture, protocol analysis, telemetry, logs, and performance data to identify root cause and restore service. Develop methods of procedure, implementation plans, test plans, network diagrams, circuit records, inventories, and as-built documentation. Perform capacity planning, resiliency analysis, lifecycle planning, software upgrades, configuration management, and proactive performance optimization. Implement and support firewalls, segmentation, secure management access, high-availability architectures, and network security controls in coordination with organizational policy. Improve monitoring and operational visibility using network management systems, telemetry, alerting, configuration tools, and practical automation or scripting. Lead technical work during planned maintenance windows and emergency restoration; communicate clearly with stakeholders and complete post-event documentation. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to technicians, contractors, and less-experienced engineers without serving as their direct manager. Travel approximately 5–10% throughout Alaska, including to remote locations, and safely perform hands-on work in data center, teleport, and field environments. Required Skills & Qualifications Seven or more years of progressively responsible network engineering experience in a carrier, ISP, telecommunications, satellite, data center, or similarly critical environment. Deep practical knowledge of Layer 1–3 networking, TCP/IP, subnetting, routing policy, redundancy, failure domains, and systematic troubleshooting. Demonstrated experience implementing and supporting BGP and OSPF in production; working knowledge of MPLS, IS-IS, EVPN/VXLAN, QoS, and IPv6. Hands-on experience with carrier-class routers, switches, firewalls, optical transport platforms, and Ethernet services; ability to work confidently from both CLI and management platforms. Experience with fiber-optic systems, optical power measurement, OTDR testing, patching practices, and troubleshooting of transport impairments. Ability to interpret packet captures and network telemetry using Wireshark and comparable diagnostic tools. Strong documentation, change-management, and communication skills, including the ability to write clear MOPs and explain technical risk to varied audiences. Ability to participate in after-hours maintenance and outage response and to travel by commercial or small aircraft, vehicle, or other practical means to remote Alaska sites. Valid driver’s license and ability to meet site-access and job-related safety requirements. Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, information systems, telecommunications, or a related field—or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Preferred Skills & Experience Experience with satellite operators, LEO/GEO gateways, teleports, earth stations, or satellite ground-segment integration. Experience supporting rural Alaska communications, remote field operations, government networks, critical infrastructure, or high-availability service-provider environments. Advanced experience with Juniper, Cisco, Nokia, Ciena, and Fortinet platforms; familiarity with Linux, VMware, and out-of-band management systems. Experience with DWDM/CWDM, Carrier Ethernet, MEF service concepts, network automation, APIs, Python or similar scripting, and configuration/version-control practices. Experience with monitoring, performance, telemetry, and configuration-management platforms. Preferred Certifications Current Fortinet professional-level certification, MEF Carrier Ethernet certification, or FOA Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT). Relevant optical transport, Linux, cloud, virtualization, security, or vendor-specific certifications. Why You’ll Love This Role Engineer one of North America’s most distinctive combinations of satellite gateway, teleport, fiber, and carrier IP infrastructure. Build and improve systems that support rural Alaska, critical communications, and communities where reliable connectivity has immediate impact. Work with emerging LEO technologies alongside established GEO platforms and terrestrial transport networks. Enjoy a meaningful mix of design, hands-on implementation, field commissioning, troubleshooting, and innovation. Join a small, highly technical team where sound engineering judgment is visible and directly influences network reliability and growth. Receive competitive compensation and benefits, with opportunities for professional development and continued technical growth. Working Conditions & Equal Opportunity This position may require work in equipment rooms, data centers, teleports, outdoor sites, and remote locations; lifting and handling network or test equipment; occasional exposure to challenging weather; and work outside normal business hours during planned maintenance or service restoration. Pay: $86,304.15 - $121,893.16 per year Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Employee discount Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Parental leave Work Location: In person