Manager, Network Engineering in Jacksonville, Florida at IQ Fiber

IQ Fiber was built to do internet differently. We're a 100% fiber-optic internet provider with a simple mission: To engineer a smarter internet experience. That means internet that's fast, reliable, and simply priced, backed by real humans who answer when you call and solve problems before you know they exist.

We bring that same thinking to how we build our company. Our teammates are a big part of what makes IQ Fiber different, and we believe how we work matters just as much as what we deliver. We're looking for good humans who bring great ideas, raise the bar with every task, and want to be part of a bigger story. Your work matters here.

Position Summary

IQ Fiber is seeking a Network Engineering Manager responsible for leading a team of technical professionals and implementing the strategic vision set by the CTO and Network Architect. This role manages team priorities, leads the implementation of advanced network designs, and improves operational standards, turning strategy into reliable, high-performance network services that satisfy customers and support business growth.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role that combines team management with direct engineering execution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Network Engineers and Access Network Engineers, including hiring, onboarding, and coaching for success.
• Implement network frameworks and standards defined by the CTO and Network Architect, refining Methods of Procedure (MOPs) and operational practices for consistency and efficiency.
• Oversee configuration, enhancement, and troubleshooting of Juniper MX/QFX, Nokia 7750 Service Routers, Nokia Lightspan GPON/NG-PON platforms, routers, switches, and related infrastructure.
• Manage project priorities and resource allocation to align engineering efforts with business objectives and the CTO roadmap.
• Partner with the NOC Manager to integrate monitoring, alerting, and incident-response workflows, ensuring SLAs and internal targets are met.
• Drive capacity planning, performance optimization, and network scaling initiatives based on data analysis and growth projections.
• Manage vendor relationships to secure technical support for network equipment and software.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including OSS/BSS, Outside Plant, Field Operations, and IT, to deliver projects on time and within scope.
• Oversee change management, on-call rotations, and escalations, ensuring clear incident escalation paths and post-mortem processes.
• Track and report KPIs and team performance metrics, providing the CTO with regular updates on network health, project status, and operational risks.
• Champion continuous improvement through automation, scripting, and adoption of new tools and technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of hands-on network engineering experience in a service provider environment.
• 2+ years of people-management experience leading technical teams.
• Deep expertise with TCP/IP, BGP, MPLS, VLANs, VPNs (IPsec/DMVPN), VRRP/ERPS, and DHCP.
• Proven experience with Juniper MX/QFX series, Nokia 7750 Service Routers, and Nokia Lightspan GPON/NG-PON platforms.
• Relevant certifications, such as JNCIS-SP or JNCIP-SP, a plus.
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools, such as CheckMK, SolarWinds, Nagios, and PRTG, and automation frameworks, such as Ansible and Python.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate strategy into operational execution.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to lead and collaborate effectively in a remote, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and manage competing priorities across multiple projects.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and sound judgment.

What Success Looks Like

• The network engineering team is well-staffed, well-coached, and accountable, operating with a strong culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
• Network frameworks, standards, and MOPs are consistently applied, resulting in reliable, repeatable operations across the network.
• The network meets SLAs and internal performance targets, with incidents escalated, resolved, and reviewed through clear post-mortem processes.
• Capacity planning and scaling initiatives keep the network ahead of customer growth, with performance optimized based on data.
• Engineering projects are delivered on time and within scope, with strong alignment across OSS/BSS, Outside Plant, Field Operations, IT, and the NOC.
• The CTO has clear, timely visibility into network health, project status, and operational risks through regular KPI reporting.

IQ Fiber is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.