Network Planner III

Lumos is seeking a full-time Network Planner III to drive strategic, technical tasks including research, analysis, design, budgeting, and project planning! This role focuses on evaluating and enhancing the entire network from Cloud to Customer, encompassing CORE, ISP, and OSP equipment. You will develop Business Case Proposals, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure accurate, cost-effective solutions for network expansion, maintenance, and optimization.

You will lead vendor evaluations, project reviews, and cost assessments while mentoring junior Network Planners. As a subject matter expert, you will also contribute to the development of network planning standards, guidelines, and industry advancements. Your efforts will support the company's goals and contribute to ongoing process improvement, cost reduction, and operational efficiency. Collaboration with internal teams and external partners is key to driving innovation and maintaining a best-in-class network.

Additionally, you will lead cost analysis and Business Case preparation for special projects, including RFPs, grants, and network expansion efforts in underserved areas. Your work will help shape future growth and ensure alignment with company objectives and market development initiatives.

Company Summary

Lumos provides 100% Fiber-Optic Internet access to more than 375,000 homes and businesses in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and has recently announced expansion into Ohio and Kentucky.

We believe that the possibilities of tomorrow cannot be built on the infrastructure of yesterday. That’s why we’re building a 100% Fiber Optic network from the ground up for families, businesses, and communities, backed by local, expert customer service. An Internet built for that most hopeful of all things – the future. Because whatever the future holds, Lumos makes it faster.

Our Mission and Values

At Lumos, we are driven by our commitment to a brighter tomorrow. We take pride in being the first to deliver 100% Fiber Optic Internet for families, small businesses, and communities. We know the possibilities of tomorrow can’t be built on the infrastructure of yesterday. And when we deliver uninterrupted Internet and limitless capacity, we create new opportunities for everyone.

We believe that the past is over, and the future is fast. That’s why we are who we are: the disruptors of the status quo. Guided by our purpose and startup mindset, we step up, move first, and adapt as we go. Here, there’s no hierarchy, only hustle.

We are all servant leaders, confident in our purpose and humble enough to pay close attention to the details. We all have the power to help solve problems and find solutions for our customers and teammates - and we do - by putting people first and doing whatever it takes to build loyalty with our customers and within our team.

We’re passionate about our customers’ experience. Their futures don’t stand still, and neither do ours. We’ll never stop reinventing ourselves to meet our customers’ evolving needs - because we know that our work, delivering 100% fiber optic internet, truly changes people’s lives.

Essential Functions

• Develop Business Case Packages, including research, analysis, cost estimates, and network design diagrams for CORE, ISP, and OSP projects, with proposed schedules.
• Build and manage Network Planning data sets, including boundary polygons, equipment locations, fiber routes, and address sets, ensuring accuracy and alignment with business cases.
• Collaborate with the Manager/Sr. Manager to develop and update the Plan of Record (POR) with relevant data and analysis.
• Lead data and cost analysis efforts to identify opportunities for network improvements and cost reductions.
• Meet established deadlines set by the Manager/Sr. Manager, ensuring alignment with company objectives and KPIs.
• Conduct quality checks on Business Case Packages prepared by Network Planning peers, ensuring high standards of accuracy and completeness.
• Mentor and provide feedback to peers within the Network Planning team, fostering continuous improvement.
• Deliver cross-training sessions for Network Planning peers and other departments to enhance knowledge sharing.
• Collaborate with Engineering & Construction teams to align network design and deployment standards, costs, methodologies, and documentation.
• Create and present Network Planning-to-Engineering/Construction hand-off packages to ensure seamless project transitions.
• Lead coordination with GIS and Business Insights teams for the integration of Network Planning data into systems such as 3GIS, VC4, Salesforce, Sitetracker, and other company databases.
• Drive evaluations of equipment, materials, vendors, and contracts to standardize processes, enhance performance, and reduce costs and cycle times.
• Utilize GIS tools, specifically ESRI ArcGIS and 3GIS, to analytically solve network planning challenges, integrating data for informed decision-making and optimized solutions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in related field with 10 years of OSP, ISP, and/or CORE Engineering/Planning experience, including 5 years in Network Planning; or 18 years of relevant experience.
• Expert knowledge of Outside Plant, Inside Plant, and CORE engineering standards, with advanced fiber design expertise (FTTP/FTTH/FTTx, PON/GPON/XGSPON, Ethernet/Metro Ethernet, and emerging technologies).
• Extensive experience with GIS and CAD systems, including ESRI ArcGIS, 3GIS, AutoCAD, Mapcom/M4, and other related tools.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as MS Excel, PowerBI, and SQL for network modeling and reporting.
• Strong understanding of network components, switches, routers, and fiber deployment technologies, along with financial analysis and costing experience.
• Direct experience with a variety of systems and platforms, including Salesforce, Sitetracker, and other network management tools.

Benefits & Perks

Our commitment to communities includes recruiting and rewarding the Lumos team members who are working together to build a brighter tomorrow.

We have:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Competitive compensation packages, including bonus options for eligible positions.
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
• 100% employer-paid life and disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with access to professional support for life’s challenges.
• 401K plan w/ up to 5% employer contribution and a self-directed brokerage option.
• Wellness program offering education and cash incentives for gym attendance and nutrition programs.
• Employee referral bonuses.
• Discounts on Lumos Fiber Internet for employees who live in our service areas.

At Lumos we recruit, hire, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities. We have a longstanding policy of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of employment discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.