Area Network Owner (1297)

## Description

**Area Network Owner | Ripple Fiber**

We are looking for an Area Network Owner to join our growing team.

**About Ripple Fiber**

At Ripple Fiber, we deliver more than high-speed internet. We’re creating a ripple effect by producing opportunities and brighter futures for the residents of the communities we serve. Join America’s most innovative, industry-leading fiber internet company, and help shape the future.

We believe the biggest wave starts as a ripple.

**About our culture**

We are a dynamic, fast-growing, fast-paced, and innovative company filled with ambitious, self-starters with entrepreneurial mindsets. We are people centric and place emphasis on employee experience, career growth, and development.

**About the role**

The Area Network Owner (ANO) is responsible for continuous vendor coaching, inspection, acceptance, and testing of completed Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) underground construction activities within assigned Michigan markets including Wayne County, Midland, Saginaw, Sterling Heights, and surrounding deployment areas. This role serves as Ripple Fiber’s primary field representative responsible for ensuring all construction activities are completed in accordance with company standards, engineering requirements, municipal specifications, safety expectations, and overall network quality objectives.

The ANO is expected to actively engage with vendor partners in the field to promote proper construction techniques, workmanship standards, restoration quality, documentation compliance, and testing integrity. Responsibilities include validating completed construction through physical inspection, OTDR review, light level verification, restoration inspection, and closeout documentation review prior to acceptance.

This role requires strong FTTH construction knowledge, leadership presence, vendor accountability, and the technical ability to identify workmanship deficiencies, enforce standards, and support the successful delivery of high-quality fiber optic infrastructure.

Additionally, the ANO is expected to operate with a high level of independence while maintaining alignment with Ripple Fiber standards, leadership direction, and operational objectives. This role directly impacts network integrity, customer experience, serviceability timelines, and long-term infrastructure reliability.

**Responsibilities:**

**Construction Oversight & Governance**

• Conduct field inspections, vendor coaching, and quality governance activities for FTTH construction performed by vendor partners across assigned markets.
• Conduct field inspections of underground, aerial, MDU/MxU activities.
• Ensure all work is completed in compliance with Ripple Fiber Construction Standards, engineering designs, and applicable municipal requirements.
• Identify, document, and track construction deficiencies (snags) through resolution.
• Verify corrective actions and remediation efforts prior to acceptance.
• Ensure construction activities are completed safely and in accordance with OSHA, NESC, and company safety standards.

**Quality Assurance & Acceptance**

• Perform quality inspections and acceptance reviews of completed construction work.
• Validate proper installation practices for:
• Handholes and vaults
• Fiber placement
• Splice enclosures
• Slack storage
• Restoration activities
• Aerial attachments
• Review construction deliverables including:
• ArcGIS photo documentation
• Redlines
• As-built documentation
• OTDR traces
• Light level testing
• Closeout packages
• Ensure network acceptance testing aligns with Ripple Fiber standards and optical budget expectations.

**Vendor Management**

• Hold vendors accountable for workmanship, restoration quality, and standards compliance.
• Support vendor training and field coaching where necessary.
• Participate in construction meetings, production reviews, and issue resolution discussions.

**Documentation & Reporting**

• Maintain accurate inspection records and reporting within approved company systems.
• Track construction progress, unresolved snags, and market-level quality trends.
• Provide clear communication to leadership regarding risks, blockers, and operational concerns.
• Support market readiness and Gate Acceptance processes.

**Qualifications:**

• Minimum 5 years of experience in telecommunications, construction, fiber deployment, or OSP operations.