Sr Lead Network Engineer

About Forged Fiber  

At Forged Fiber, our mission is bold but simple: deliver fast, reliable, future-proof connectivity that builds the foundation for everything online. As we execute, we believe the right way to do something is the only way. This foundation guides how the company builds, operates, and maintains a state-of-the-art open-access fiber network platform that empowers millions. 

Forged Fiber is about more than building a network. It is about people. Every role matters. Every contribution counts. Together, employees create impact through teamwork, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence. 

The Role  

The Senior Lead Network Engineer is an experienced technical leader responsible for ensuring the reliability, scalability, and operational excellence of enterprise network platforms. This role is primarily focused on Element Management System (EMS) testing and Tier 4 Operations Support, serving as the highest escalation point for complex network issues and platform-level incidents. 

As a senior member of the Architecture, Engineering, and Technology Support team, this role partners closely with network architects, engineers, operations teams, and vendors to validate innovative technologies, ensure operational readiness, and maintain stable production environments. The Senior Lead Network Engineer is expected to provide deep technical expertise, lead troubleshooting efforts during critical events, and influence long-term network strategy through testing feedback and operational insights. 

Work Location: US Remote 

The Main Responsibilities  

EMS Testing 

• Lead and execute comprehensive EMS testing across network platforms, including functional, integration, regression, performance, and resilience testing. 

• Validate EMS interoperability with network devices, northbound systems, monitoring tools, and automation frameworks. 

• Develop, maintain, and enhance EMS test plans, evaluate test cases, and validate criteria aligned with architectural standards and operational requirements. 

• Identify defects, gaps, and risks within EMS platforms and partner with engineering, architecture, and vendors to drive resolution. 

• Ensure operational readiness of EMS solutions prior to production deployment, including failover scenarios, scalability, and alerting accuracy. 

Tier 4 Operational Support 

• Serve as the Tier 4 escalation point for complex, high-impact network, and EMS-related incidents. 

• Lead deep-dive root cause analysis (RCA) efforts for critical outages, chronic issues, and systemic failures. 

• Provide advanced troubleshooting across network hardware, software, EMS platforms, and integrated systems. 

• Recommend and implement permanent corrective actions to prevent recurrence of critical incidents.