Senior Engineer – Broadband Infrastructure

DEPARTMENT: Professional Services – Engineering Division

LOCATION: Wenatchee, WA – fully in-person required for the first 90 days; limited hybrid flexibility may be discussed after onboarding

COMPENSATION: $90,000 - $130,000 DOE

BENEFITS: Medical, Dental, and Vision, Paid Time Off + Holidays, 401(k) Retirement Plan, life, Short- and Long-Term Disability

SCHEDULE: Full Time, Exempt

TRAVEL: Up to 25% to tribal communities, project sites, and industry conferences

REPORTS TO: Director of Professional Services/Chief Engineer

POSITION OVERVIEW

Native Network is seeking a Senior Broadband Infrastructure Engineer to support telecommunications and broadband projects serving Tribal Nations, rural communities, and public-sector organizations. The engineer will lead network design, drive technical strategy, and deliver complex telecommunications projects from feasibility through construction closeout

Success in this position requires more than technical expertise alone. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and the ability to apply engineering principles across a broad range of technical, operational, regulatory, and customer-focused challenges.

The Senior Engineer serves as both a technical leader and consultant, working closely with project managers, Tribal partners, contractors, and leadership to develop practical solutions that support successful project delivery and long-term community impact.

WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE DIFFERENT

At Native Network, engineers do more than create designs.

Successful engineers

• Seek to understand the full problem before recommending solutions.
• Apply engineering thinking across multiple disciplines and technologies.
• Communicate complex concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Produce professional documentation that requires minimal revision.
• Balance confidence with humility and actively seek clarification when needed.
• Learn unfamiliar technologies, regulations, and customer environments quickly.
• Contribute to business, regulatory, compliance, and project delivery discussions- not just engineering design.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

A well-rounded engineer with experience across multiple network technologies — fiber, wireless, routing/switching, and infrastructure — who can quickly learn and adapt in a dynamic project environment. This role calls for:

• Hands-on engineering balanced with system-level thinking and practical field awareness
• Comfort developing designs, solving real-world deployment challenges, and presenting technical concepts to non-technical customers
• The ability to ramp quickly, contribute across multiple concurrent projects, and serve as a technical multiplier for the broader engineering team

Equally important: experience in fiber optic network design (OSP/ISP) and regulatory compliance for federally funded tribal broadband initiatives, with a proven track record of delivering projects on time, within budget, and in compliance with NTIA, USDA, FCC, and tribal requirements. This work is critical to advancing connectivity for Native American Tribes — helping reduce costs, generate revenue, and support economic growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Engineering & Technical Leadership

• Develop and review broadband infrastructure designs and technical solutions.
• Support feasibility analysis, technology selection, network planning, and design reviews.
• Solve complex technical and deployment challenges across fiber, wireless, and hybrid environments.
• Lead end-to-end network design for middle-mile and last-mile fiber optic broadband projects, including route planning, capacity analysis, and technology selection
• Develop OSP/ISP designs using ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and Visio; produce engineering-grade design packages, including splice diagrams, bills of materials, and construction specifications
• Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses; maintain strong working knowledge of broadband technologies (GPON, XGS-PON, Active Ethernet, fixed wireless) to evaluate and recommend the right fit based on terrain, density, and funding constraints
• Operate in a billable, client-facing capacity, contributing toward individual customer account goals
• Contribute to engineering standards, quality assurance, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to project teams.

Project Delivery and Customer Support

• Manage the technical lifecycle of network projects from feasibility and design through permitting, construction oversight, testing, acceptance, and closeout
• Review and approve contractor submittals, as-built drawings, and test results for compliance with design specifications
• Collaborate with project managers, customers, contractors, and Tribal stakeholders throughout project delivery.
• Evaluate technical risks, assumptions, and constraints and communicate them proactively.
• Participate in customer meetings and technical presentations.
• Serve as a trusted technical resource for both internal and external stakeholders.

Regulatory & Grant Compliance

• Ensure all network designs and deliverables comply with NTIA BEAD, NTIA TBCP, USDA ReConnect, E-Rate, and other federal/state grant program requirements
• Prepare and review technical sections of RFP submittals, grant applications, and compliance reports
• Support environmental and historic preservation reviews (NEPA, NHPA Section 106) and maintain working knowledge of FCC regulations, spectrum coordination, and tower/structure registration requirements

Technical Writing & Reporting

• Author clear, professional engineering documentation — reports, memoranda, design narratives, and construction specifications — suitable for tribal councils, federal agencies, and contractors
• Clearly distinguish facts, assumptions, recommendations, and risks in written communications.
• Present technical findings to non-technical stakeholders, including tribal leadership and grant administrators

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Electrical, Telecommunications, Mechanical, Civil or related; ABET-accredited preferred)
• 7+ years of progressive engineering experience, with strong hands-on experience in outside plant (OSP) fiber optic network design (aerial, buried, and underground construction methods) preferred
• Equivalent combinations of technical experience, engineering responsibility, education and demonstrated analytical ability will be considered.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information to non-technical audiences
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Visio, SharePoint, and common project management tools
• Consistent demonstration of the ability to build credibility through competence, reliability, and sound judgment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficiency in ArcGIS and AutoCAD for fiber network design, mapping, spatial analysis, and engineering documentation
• Advanced education or industry certifications (Master's degree, PE, EIT/FE, CCNA/CCNP, CFHP, PMP, or similar)
• Experience working with federally funded broadband programs (NTIA, USDA, BEAD, ReConnect, FCC), including related regulatory/environmental processes (NEPA, NHPA Section 106, tribal review) and designing middle-mile/last-mile fiber networks for rural, tribal, or underserved communities
• Working knowledge of, or willingness to learn, Native American tribal governance structures, tribal sovereignty, and cultural protocols
• Experience with OTDR testing, fiber characterization, and acceptance testing procedures
• Familiarity with Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or equivalent project tracking platforms
• Experience working in a professional services consulting organization or capacity

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position is based in-office in Wenatchee, WA, required for at least the first 90 days; hybrid flexibility may be discussed after onboarding
• Travel up to 25% may be required, including visits to rural tribal communities and project sites
• Ability to walk project sites and work in varying outdoor conditions, including uneven terrain, construction environments, and weather exposure
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet company driving requirements

TECHNOLOGY & AI EXPECTATIONS

Native Network embraces technology, automation, and artificial intelligence as productivity tools.

However, successful engineers are expected to apply independent professional judgment, verify technical information, understand the rationale behind recommendations, and think critically about project impacts and risks.

Technology should enhance engineering thinking—not replace it.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

We review applications on a rolling basis and will keep this posting open until the role is filled.

Required Application Documents

• Resume / CV
• Cover letter addressing:
• Your hands-on experience with OSP/ISP fiber optic network design
• Any experience with federally funded broadband programs (NTIA, USDA, BEAD, ReConnect) or similar regulatory compliance work
• What draws you to working on connectivity projects for Native American Tribal communities

A work sample and three professional references will be requested during the interview stage. Candidates advancing beyond the initial screening may be asked to complete a practical engineering exercise designed to evaluate problem-solving ability, technical communication, analytical thinking, documentation quality, and professional judgment.

Background Check

This position requires a comprehensive background check, which may include criminal history and driving record review. Background checks will be conducted in accordance with applicable laws and will include verification of professional certifications and education.

ABOUT US

Native Network, Inc. helps Native American Tribes connect with communications technology, so they are empowered to reduce costs, generate revenue, create jobs, and ultimately diversify their economies. Native Network provides professional services and wholesale telecommunications services to enable customers with the tools to connect & realize the benefits of the 21st century digital economy.

OUR CORE VALUES

As members of Native Network, Inc.'s organization, we shall strive to exceed our customers', employees', shareholders', and communities' expectations by conducting our business with the following values as our guide. We:

• Are customer focused and quality driven
• Have a sense of urgency
• Deliver on what we promise
• Are honest and respectful
• Work as a team
• Have a passion for excellence
• Go above and beyond to deliver for our customers

EEO/AA STATEMENT

Native Network, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of one's employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits and termination.