John Jacobs
Dodge City,KS
Summary
Telecommunications leader specializing in systems development, implementation planning, and operational process optimization. Proven record managing end-to-end projects, coordinating software tools and technical resources to meet tight timelines. Known for clear requirements support, reliable data delivery, and measurable improvements to cost, efficiency, and performance.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Network Engineer III
Charter Spectrum
Charlotte, NC
10.2022 - 05.2025
- Monitored network capacity and performance to help identify and fix complex network issues.
- Troubleshot complex multi-vendor issues across network service provider environments.
- Provided end-user support by troubleshooting connectivity problems and instructing proper networking equipment use.
- Tracked problems and coordinated resolution and escalation steps.
- Performed regular maintenance tasks, including firmware updates and hardware replacements, to support system availability.
- Supported vendor relationships by helping negotiate contracts, procure equipment, and secure timely technical support.
- Analyzed recurring issues to improve network stability with long-term fixes.
- Monitored network devices proactively and resolved issues quickly to reduce downtime.
- Identified bottlenecks, adjusted configurations, and applied best practices to improve network performance.
CMC Engineer II
Unitas Global
Norton, KS
11.2021 - 03.2022
- Hardware and software support for the global network team
- Equipment including Ciena 5170 and 8700 Packetwave devices
- Supported a 24x7x365 health monitoring of Linux and Windows environments hosting various based web, network, mobile and telephony platforms using server, network, and application monitoring systems
- Maintained and support all transport systems specifically Ciena 6500, and Cisco 15454
Senior Engineer – Infrastructure Health
CenturyLink
New Century, KS
07.2016 - 01.2018
- Perform audits network wide for bandwidth utilization and equipment configurations
- Lead network operation teams in alarm reduction, record retention and cost reduction
- Create UNIX and PERL scripts for network operation teams to assist with network abnormalties
Optical NCC Technician
Zayo
Tulsa, OK
04.2014 - 07.2016
- Assist and support hardware and software from various vendor equipment including Fujitsu, Infinera, Cisco, Ciena, Nortel, Cyan
- Effectively resolve trouble reports from customers, and network alarms from Netcool
- Prepare RFO (Reason for Outage) reports and deliver to customer with specific reasoning of outage event
- Technical knowledge of Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM), Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM), and technical knowledge of optical transport including Optical Transport Network (OTN), OC192, OC48, OC12 and OC3 levels
- Provision and troubleshoot DSO, DS1, DS3 / EC1, and Ethernet circuits
- Assist with field operations for maintenance and outage events
Business Analyst
Ericsson
Overland Park, KS
11.2012 - 04.2013
- Team lead for the Drive Test Team
- Coordinate, and conduct drive tests for Sprint’s NewVision conversion project
- Validates drive test for 911 translations in Samsung switches
- Assists in troubleshooting to complete resolution
- Works closely with Project Manager to ensure smooth transition from testing to live migration and completion of migration to live on air traffic
ATM/Ethernet Consultant
CenturyLink (contract through KForce)
New Century, KS
05.2011 - 08.2012
- Team lead for migration of network elements for data services
- Converting ATM systems to Ethernet service
- Vendor equipment includes Adtran, Lucent, Calix and AFC
- Provides database recording and updating of all elements migrated
Customer Service Technician 4
Nokia Siemens Networks
New Century, KS
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Assist and support hardware / software from various vendors including Ciena, Nortel, Alcatel-Lucent, Adtran, Telmar, Tellabs, and Nokia Siemens Networks
- Develop working knowledge of Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM), Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM), and technical knowledge of optical transport including Optical Transport Network (OTN), OC192, OC48, OC12 and OC3 levels
- Provision and troubleshoot DSO, DS1, DS3 / EC1, and Ethernet circuits, in addition to SS7 link alarm monitoring
- Develop, lead, and manage personnel for various projects, as well as effectively resolve Transport NMA network outages, tickets, and network reliability reporting
- Prepare reports for analysis of service failure trends and review methods and procedures to roll / cut / upgrade facilities and equipment in the SONET / DWDM network
- Determine the most cost-effective repair / resolution to minimize customer down time, and serve as lead technician for a network-wide system clean-up and audit of all Ciena DWDM products
- Provide training and develop action plans, schedules, deliverables, policies, and procedures that ensure effective methods of operating and maintaining networks
- Maintain the DLR (design layout records) for our Sting Communication customer, building a record keeping system that allows NSN technicians to access all the information needed to resolve the problem
- Build a backup ticket system for when the main ticket system for Sting Communication goes down, NSN can still report the problem to the customer
Technical Support Engineer II
Embarq (became CenturyLink)
New Century, KS
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Maintained and provisioned OC192s, OC48s, OC12s, OC3s, DS3 / EC1, DS1 facilities, and Ethernet circuits
- Worked with Engineering and Project Management groups to create method and procedures to launch SONET / DWDM in various network facilities
- Resolved moderate to complex technical problems on Embarq SONET / DWDM network
- Performed reactive and proactive maintenance on the network, investigating and preparing reports for analysis of service failure trends and serviceability issues
- Determined the most cost-effective repair / resolution to minimize customer downtime
Technical Analyst
Sprint (became Embarq)
New Century, KS
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Hardware and software support for the global network team
- Equipment including Ciena 5170 and 8700 Packetwave devices
- Supported a 24x7x365 health monitoring of Linux and Windows environments hosting various based web, network, mobile and telephony platforms using server, network, and application monitoring systems
- Maintained and support all transport systems specifically Ciena 6500, and Cisco 15454
Education
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMA -
Northwest Kansas Technical College
Goodland, KSSkills
- Engineering / Planning Development
- Customer Support
- Vendor Management
- Training and Development
- Expense Reduction
- Information Analysis
- Actionable Reporting
- Program and Project Management
- Installation / Configuration
- Troubleshooting
- Performance Metrics
- On-Time Delivery
- Performance Optimization
- Resource Management
- Testing
- Network Engineering
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Microsoft Visio Professional 2003
- Vendor GUIs / TL1
- Skype
Skills
- SnagIT
- MEGASYS
- ProComm
- Basic HTML
- Cisco Optical Equipment
- Infinera
- Ciena Optical
- Alcatel
Timeline
Network Engineer III
Charter Spectrum
10.2022 - 05.2025
CMC Engineer II
Unitas Global
11.2021 - 03.2022
Senior Engineer – Infrastructure Health
CenturyLink
07.2016 - 01.2018
Optical NCC Technician
Zayo
04.2014 - 07.2016
Business Analyst
Ericsson
11.2012 - 04.2013
ATM/Ethernet Consultant
CenturyLink (contract through KForce)
05.2011 - 08.2012
Customer Service Technician 4
Nokia Siemens Networks
01.2008 - 01.2011
Technical Support Engineer II
Embarq (became CenturyLink)
01.2006 - 01.2008
Technical Analyst
Sprint (became Embarq)
01.2000 - 01.2006
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMA -
Northwest Kansas Technical College