Michael Atwater
Farmingdale,Maine
Summary
Telecommunications professional with expertise in managing, engineering, testing, and installing microwave systems. Skilled in cable fault locating and repair, construction and maintenance of telecom facilities, and cell-site equipment installation. Seeking challenging employment to expand skills beyond current capabilities.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Network Engineer (FTTP Consulting Engineer) / General Manager
MaineCom Fiber- Tilson Technology Management
Portland, Maine
08.2018 - Current
- Facilitated communication between Fiber Engineers and management for seamless project execution.
- Oversaw external vendor management to ensure timely and budget-friendly project completion.
- Evaluate construction feasibility based on project specifications;
- Created Construction Bid Package and managed competitive bidding process with subcontractors.
- Direct planning and construction efforts for permits.
- Maintained accurate records of third-party material orders and deliveries.
- Supervised site construction projects, effectively managing schedules and subcontractors to meet both customer and internal requirements.
- Coordinated construction activities with state and local agencies to ensure compliance with permit and license requirements.
- Engaged in frequent attendance of company and client status meetings.
- Provides communication on milestones, on-time delivery, and general updates to leadership and project management/service delivery resources.
- Ensure that all jobs are maintained in a project tracking system with complete accuracy.
- Responsible to negotiate costs within scope of project, hold Vendor accountable to ensure budget is maintained; ensure Project Managers and customers are aware of issues that will impact project completion or cost.
- Responsible for problem-solving issues that may occur on-site and making recommendations based on priority and need to ensure the project and budget are maintained.
Network Engineer
Consolidated Communications
Augusta, Maine
10.2010 - 08.2018
- Reviewed CNE cases (TLS, VON, Diversity), encompassing diversity studies, equipment research, participating in conference calls, preparing routine handoffs, and creating CCRs as necessary.
- Ordered various OSP equipment including Muxes, electronics, DLC, repeaters, power, cabling and DSL.
- Applied knowledge of existing plant capabilities and determination of new plant specifications to design simple to complex engineering plans for assigned outside plant projects using computer and/or manual drafting.
- Successfully completed projects by following transmission requirements and accepted design standards.
- Generated time and cost estimates for projects, coordinating design changes to ensure completion within budget and timelines.
- Participated in long and short-range network planning and design including forecasting OSP and building space requirements.
- Procure official documents from state, county, and city government agencies, as well as private developers, landowners, outside contractors, and other public utilities to forecast need and obtain right-of-way when installing outside plant facilities.
- Updated databases and conducted research to facilitate dark fiber requests; Ensured LN database completion and selected ideal routes for conduit licensing; Handled regulatory tasks related to OSP planning, such as DSL appeals.
- Analyzed data from planning documents, field notes, and multiple databases to prepare estimates for growth, relief, customer demand, and damaged plant in the outside plant network.
- Conduct proactive evaluations of outside plant and transport facilities.
- Actively participate in pre-construction and on-going construction meetings with various government entities at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels to discuss preservation projects.
- Analyzed work drawings to determine loop make-up needs, recommending the most suitable method (fiber or copper) for optimal customer satisfaction.
- Conducted field surveys for damaged plant, pole transfers, DOT work, and customer premises needs.
- Zero MH collocation requests were handled by building and submitting estimates, with a focus on IOF projects, road jobs, and retirement jobs.
- Preparation of Tracker database (DSL) and performing RT site surveys.
- Managed engineering tasks involving DLC packages for both new and existing sites, as well as routine handoff preparations.
Network Engineer
Us Cellular
Manchester, Maine
10.2008 - 10.2010
- Maintained the upkeep of remote base station equipment to ensure optimal performance
- Managed remote equipment including BTS equipment, power bays, batteries, generators, microwave radios, antennas, and associated network equipment.
- Maintained microwave radio equipment, aligning frequencies with test equipment and ensuring radio operations are in accordance with FCC guidelines.
- Maintained organized records of supplies, inventory, repairs, and returns in relation to switch/cell site equipment.
- Resolved Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) alarms, as well as cell site alarms and NOC queries.
- Played a role in the identification of customers' mobile problems, programming of phones, and testing of mobile phone products.
- Maintained the cleanliness and functionality of MTSO/Cell Site buildings and grounds by performing regular inspections on A/C units, locks, lights, etc., while also ensuring visual attractiveness.
- Scheduled regular maintenance and cleaning for company vehicle to ensure its proper upkeep.
- Transported equipment from receiving location to designated installation site.
Lead Construction Technician
Time Warner cable
Augusta, Maine
10.1999 - 10.2008
- Performed diagnostic tests on data lines and completed job closures.
- Analyzed job designs based on schematic drawings to ensure accurate sequencing of tasks.
- Tested and analyzed telecommunications transmission for analog and digital signals.
- Performed installation, testing, and repair tasks for a variety of aerial and underground cable lines.
- Efficiently located faults in cable wires using multi-test meters, electronic measuring equipment, oscillators, and RF signal meters.
- Coordinated with external contractors for the excavation of cable facilities to achieve service restoration and new facility setups.
- Maintained open lines of communication with coworkers, customers, vendors, and contractors for all work assignments.
- Repaired customer's cable lines and equipment, covering every aspect from headend to premises, including internal wiring.
- Achieved successful climbing and termination of utility poles.
- Upgraded main distribution cable plant, resulting in decreased faults.
- Ensured up-to-date cable layouts, duct designs, print materials, and client records.
- Conducted diverse activities comprising splicing, pole transfer, lashing of aerial cables as well as pedestal & lock box installation to ensure smooth execution.
- Responded promptly to emergency facility mark-out requests during on-call standby duty.
- Executed installation of cable plant components like strand, head-guys, and guard arms that aided in seamless functioning of network.
Education
Associate of Science - Electrical, Electronics And Communications Engineering
ITT Technical Institute
Jacksonville, FL05-1997
Skills
- Team Management
- Engineering Expertise
- Infrastructure Design Expertise
- Project Management
- Network operations
- Strong Verbal and Written Skills
- Technical Solution Design
Certifications
- 2023, OSHA 30 Certified
- 2015, Maine Department of Transportation Certified
- 2014, Pearson Vue Technical Specialist (TS-TAB) completion
- 2014, Pearson Vue Telecommunications Qualification (TQT1) completion
- 2010, Nortel CDMA Metro Cell Base Transceiver Station (BTS) training, Richardson, Texas
- 2009, SCTE Certifications, BPE-Broadband Premises Technician, BPE-Broadband Premises Installer, BPE-Broadband Premises Expert, BDS-Broadband Distribution Specialist, BTS-Broadband Transport Specialist
Additionaltechnicalskills
- Windows 9x
- Microsoft office package
- Visio
- AutoCAD
- Logica
- 3GIS
- FIM
- ArcGis
- Fulcrum
- Salesforce
- Digital Multi-meter
- CLI meter
- OTDR
- Oscillators
- Mapping
- Driving Directions
- T1 tester
- Power meter
- Air Interface System Analyzer
- RF line analyzer
- Conductivity meter
- Earth Ground Resistivity meter
Timeline
Senior Network Engineer (FTTP Consulting Engineer) / General Manager
MaineCom Fiber- Tilson Technology Management
08.2018 - Current
Network Engineer
Consolidated Communications
10.2010 - 08.2018
Network Engineer
Us Cellular
10.2008 - 10.2010
Lead Construction Technician
Time Warner cable
10.1999 - 10.2008
Associate of Science - Electrical, Electronics And Communications Engineering
ITT Technical Institute
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