Senior Optical Engineer (Seattle)

Job Title: Optical Network Development Engineer Employment Type: Contract Location: Onsite - Seattle WA About the Role The Optical Network Development Engineer (NDE) Contractor plays a critical role in deploying, operating, and supporting large‑scale DWDM optical transport networks that interconnect global data center infrastructure. This role is highly operational and hands‑on, with direct impact on network availability, scalability, and performance. Success in this role means proactively owning network health, resolving issues quickly, and continuously improving operational excellence through automation and thoughtful design.

Key Responsibilities Deploy, operate, and maintain high‑capacity DWDM optical network systems at scale Troubleshoot and resolve complex optical and DWDM network issues in production environments Support 24/7 operational responsibilities, including on‑call rotations and incident response Perform optical planning, modeling, and capacity analysis using industry‑standard tools Collaborate with cross‑functional teams across network design, operations, and product development Drive operational improvements through documentation, process refinement, and automation Participate in change management processes to ensure network stability and reliability Required Qualifications 5–8+ years of hands‑on experience working with DWDM and optical transport networks Direct experience deploying and operating large‑scale optical networks in production Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills in optical/DWDM environments Experience working in 24/7 operational settings with on‑call responsibilities Solid understanding of optical network technologies, fiber infrastructure, and OTN Strong communication skills and an ownership mindset Proven ability to manage time and priorities across multiple initiatives Preferred Qualifications Automation and scripting experience (Python, Bash, Shell, Perl) Network design and architecture experience, including topology design and scaling strategies Experience integrating hardware and software across multiple optical platforms (OEM and commodity)