JOB POSTING: FIBER OPTIC NETWORK MANAGER

Anticipated Start Date: November 1, 2026
Closing Date: September 15, 2026

Position Summary

The Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON) is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Fiber Optic Network Manager to lead the operations, reliability, and continued development of a mission-critical fiber optic infrastructure network serving its member organizations (“Associates”).

This leadership role is responsible for the day-to-day performance, long-term sustainability, architecture planning, implementation and technical evolution of the IRON network serving Idaho’s nonprofit community. The Network Manager oversees the Network Engineering and Operations team and works closely with the President & CEO, General Manager, vendors, Internet Service Providers, and member stakeholders to ensure a highly resilient, secure, and scalable network environment.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in fiber optic networking, equipment, and telecommunications infrastructure, combined with strong operational leadership and team management experience. IRON has earned and must maintain its high caliber reputation. This position plays a central role in ensuring IRON delivers reliable, high-performance connectivity services that meet the evolving needs of its Associates.

Key Responsibilities
Network Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and manage the Network Engineering and Operations team.
• Oversee staffing, scheduling, hiring, training, and performance management.
• Establish team accountability for operational execution and infrastructure initiatives.
• Conduct regular technical and operational team meetings.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance, and service-oriented team culture.
• Coordinate technical resources to meet operational priorities and project timelines.

Network Architecture & Strategic Development

• High level collaboration with the engineering team on strategic development of IRON’s network architecture plan.
• Translate strategic infrastructure goals into actionable engineering and operational plans.
• Ensure execution of approved network design and upgrade initiatives.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, operational procedures, and network deployment best practices.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to enhance scalability, resiliency, and performance.
• Support the design of highly redundant and future-ready network topologies.

Network Operations, Monitoring & Reliability

• Develop and maintain operational procedures to ensure consistent network reliability.
• Monitor real-time network performance, alarms, capacity trends, and security alerts.
• Proactively respond to network incidents and operational events.
• Coordinate maintenance windows and minimize service disruptions.
• Review vendor and partner maintenance notices for operational impact.
• Perform root cause analysis and after-action reviews following outages or incidents.
• Recommend operational improvements based on performance data and incident history.
• Ensure IRON’s network adheres to cyber security standards and industry best practices.

Technical Oversight & Expertise

Maintain advanced knowledge of:

• Optical and Ethernet transport systems and infrastructure
• Routing and switching technologies
• Network protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, MPLS)
• Network operating systems (e.g., Linux-based systems)
• Redundant and resilient network design
• Network monitoring and diagnostic platforms
• Cybersecurity best practices for network infrastructure
• Provide technical leadership and guidance during troubleshooting, maintenance, and infrastructure deployment activities.

Vendor, Carrier & Equipment Management

• Manage relationships with vendors, carriers, service providers, and technology partners.
• Oversee equipment maintenance contracts and service agreements.
• Collaborate with leadership on lifecycle planning, equipment refresh strategies, and budgets.
• Evaluate and recommend infrastructure upgrades and new technology investments.
• Ensure vendor performance aligns with operational and service expectations.

Communications & Reporting

• Maintain clear and consistent communication with member organizations (“Associates”).
• Serve as a trusted resource to management team and staff for operational updates and technical education.
• Deliver quarterly operational reports to leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Communicate network status, risks, and strategic initiatives to organizational leadership.
• Participate in monthly coordination meetings and stakeholder forums.

Customer & Stakeholder Support

IRON exists to support its Associates, and customer service is a core component of this role. Responsibilities include:

• Providing timely and professional responses to technical inquiries.
• Supporting members’ connectivity and operational needs.
• Building strong, collaborative, technical relationships with Idaho’s stakeholders and the nonprofit community.
• Ensuring transparency and responsiveness in operational communications.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Network Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Extensive experience in fiber optic network operations or telecommunications infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience managing technical teams in a network operations environment.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Network protocols and routing/switching
  • Fiber optic and optical transport systems
  • Network architecture and redundancy design
  • Network monitoring and troubleshooting systems o Infrastructure security principles
• Experience working with carriers, ISPs, vendors, and infrastructure partners.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities in English.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a mission-critical operational environment.
• Ability to legally rent vehicles, obtain and maintain a driver’s license, and successfully pass a statewide background check for authorized access into secure state and federal facilities.
• Ahere to terms and conditions outlined in the Employee Handbook and sign a Non- Disclosure Agreement.
• A resident of the state of Idaho

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry certifications (CCNP, CCIE, JNCIP, JNCIE, MEF, or equivalent).
• Experience in research, education, municipal, or regional network environments.
• Experience with DWDM, MPLS, BGP, OSPF, and advanced optical systems.
• Familiarity with network automation, orchestration, and monitoring platforms.
• Familiarity with Research & Education networks, federal and statewide programs, and other dedicated services networks.

Work Environment

• Full-time remote position utilizing employee-owned hardware.
• Position requires availability for after-hours support and participation in maintenance windows or incident response, or urgent leadership issues.
• On-call rotation may be required.
• Occasional travel for vendor coordination, training, conferences, associate meetings, board meetings, and site visits.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: President & CEO, Idaho Regional Optical Network, Inc. (IRON)
• Works Closely With: IRON leadership team, network staff, IRON Board of Directors and Officers, member organizations, vendors, ISPs, and Board of Directors and Officers