Field Engineering Manager - Springfield, IL

About the Company:

Bluebird Network is a communications infrastructure provider and data center operator owned by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets Inc., a subsidiary of Macquarie Capital. Bluebird Network is a premier communications infrastructure provider and data center operator. Since 1999, Bluebird Network, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has provided internet and transport services, via its fiber infrastructure, Carriers and Enterprise customers in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, and surrounding states. Bluebird operates more than 11,000 fiber route miles of high-speed broadband and fiber-optic connections with over 62,000 on-net and near-net buildings and 230 Points of Presence (PoP) sites spanning the Midwest, including the major cities of Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield (MO and IL), Tulsa, Peoria, Rockford, Bloomington, Normal and the Quad Cities. To learn more, please visit BluebirdNetwork.com.

Who will I work for?

Join an amazing team of telecommunication professionals! Bluebird Network is a dynamic growing company in need of a Field Engineering Manager to be a part of a collaborative team. Bluebird Network is a premier Mid-west fiber and data solutions provider, with 25 years of success in the industry. All of us at Bluebird Network work hard to meet goals and objectives for the organization and live the mission and values of this growing company to meet a common goal.

Here at Bluebird we proactively embrace diversity and cultivate a culture of inclusion. We respect and value each team member’s individual strengths, views, and experiences. We take pride in being an equal opportunity employer and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

What will I do?

Oversee all aspects of Bluebird Network’s outside plant engineering & operations support for projects undertaken with outside plant and operations integration/installation. A field engineering manager leads a construction team, overseeing all work activities to ensure the project is completed on time with no mistakes or inadequacies. This position is responsible for supervising individuals responsible for planning, coordinating, designing, costing, permitting, and evaluating construction contractors in addition to managing and supporting an Operations Supervisor for successful implementations. Candidate will be required to possess exceptional project & personnel management skills to ensure the timely completion of mission critical initiatives.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide status reporting of Outside Plant & Operations projects and coach internally for OSP Engineering, Operations, & Construction contractors to ensure accuracy and consistency. Manage projects by reviewing quality of work, clean up resolution, proper maintenance of project documentation and continual review of project progress. Review all required reports from field personnel and contractor invoicing for accuracy.
• Support the Director of Field Engineering in the development and coordination of OSP & OPs projects in support of approved network deployments. Responsible for the formal development and pricing of projects assigned. Provide Engineering & Operations support for any/all facility-related maintenance issues.
• Provide timely preliminary route proposals and estimates of project costs to support business case development. Provide route options, contractor cost estimates, and recommendations for approval.
• Oversee job construction & Operational implementation for adherence to route design and plant placement specifications. Ensure that proper permitting and rights-of-way are obtained. Verify construction clean-up. Review contractor invoices/charges for accuracy of billing.
• Ensure that final as-built documentation for permanent records is obtained from contractor or other internal sources. Ensure the inclusion of new plant into One-Call databases. Ensure the inclusion of additional assets are communicated for locate support.
• Represent Bluebird for all field issues including Customers, DOTs, One-Call Centers, and facility locate projects/inquiries.
• Provide annual CapEx and OpEx budget inputs for all Bluebird initiatives. Manage budget items within approved limits, and monitor for cost reduction opportunities in both capital/operational expenditures

Essential:

• 7 years of Outside Plant and/or Field OPs or 5 years of supervisory experience.
• Flexible work schedule. Regular hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM M-F; however, hours to be determined by job requirements.
• Valid state driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Self-motivated and able to motivate others to a highly productive team with little or no daily supervision.
• Strong general PC skills including Microsoft office applications,
• drafting, mapping, and plant database administration.
• Strong oral and written communications skills. Able to communicate effectively at all levels and under challenging circumstances.
• Highly developed organization and coordination skills

Desired:

• College degree – Civil Engineering or equivalent work experience.
• Fiber optics training to include fusion splicing, fiber storage techniques, basic optical design considerations, optical physical characteristics, and optical network components.

Rewards Summary

Bluebird Network values its team members and is committed to offering benefits designed to help enhance their health and well-being. Bluebird Network views the benefits offered to its workforce as an important component of the overall compensation package made available by Bluebird. We strive to offer our team members comprehensive and affordable benefits that make Bluebird Network an even more attractive place to work.

Bluebird Network offers generous benefits to eligible team members that include:

Health, Dental, Vision, and Basic Life/AD&D insurance

Generous company contribution to the employee’s HSA (when enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan)

Company Paid Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability insurance

A 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, to which Bluebird contributes 5% Safe Harbor, and will match up to 5% of the employee’s contribution

Paid Time Off