Staff Engineer, Voice Core

Job description

GCI's Staff Engineer, Voice Core will be responsible for the implementation, configuration, validation, and ongoing support of GCI’s telecommunications and data network switching infrastructure.

This role ensures seamless transmission of voice, data, and multimedia traffic through the effective configuration, monitoring, and optimization of switching systems.



The position requires expertise across a broad range of switching technologies—digital, analog, and packet-based—utilizing solutions from industry-leading vendors such as Metaswitch, Ribbon, Oracle, and REDCOM.

As an advanced-level engineering role, it demands deep subject matter expertise, independent decision-making on complex engineering challenges, and the ability to provide technical direction to maintain service-level commitments.

Key responsibilities include:


+ Serving as project engineer for major, complex initiatives, ensuring solutions are designed, planned, analyzed, and implemented to integrate seamlessly across business departments.



+ Providing technical leadership, oversight, and mentorship to junior engineers, including reviewing their documentation and finalizing design specifications for operational deployment.



+ Acting as the subject matter expert with advanced knowledge of how technologies integrate across multiple computing platforms.




Applying expert-level understanding of engineering principles, including high availability, redundancy, reliability, testing, security, and industry standards.



Delivering solutions under challenging deadlines and operating constraints, while maintaining excellence in budget and time management across multiple, concurrent projects.



This role is expected to consistently demonstrate leadership in technical execution, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration.

The Staff Engineer, Voice Core, serves as a trusted expert and technical authority within the company, ensuring that critical infrastructure and services operate at the highest levels of performance, reliability, and security.




ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:




Technical Leadership in Switching & Signaling Systems:


+ Provide strategic and technical leadership as the principal authority in the evaluation, design, configuration, and ongoing optimization of Class 4/Class 5 switching platforms, including Metaswitch, softswitches, SBCs, and MGWs. Applies deep subject matter expertise in key telecommunications protocols—such as SIP, SS7/SIGTRAN, MGCP, ISDN PRI, TDM, and IMS based architecture—to ensure the delivery of scalable, resilient, and interoperable network solutions aligned with enterprise objectives and long-term service strategies.



+ Works with a high degree of autonomy and authority, regularly interfacing with directors, senior directors, and vice presidents to influence architectural direction and support enterprise-wide initiatives.

Holds profit-and-loss accountability and plays a vital role in shaping departmental strategies, long-range planning, policy development, and budgeting processes.






Leadership on Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives:


+ Drives and contributes to high-impact engineering initiatives, special assignments, and complex technology transformation programs.

Oversees the coordination of cross-functional resources, project timelines, and deliverables for initiatives that carry significant business and technical visibility.



+ Ensuring that all project efforts are aligned with the company’s strategic direction, technical roadmap, and evolving industry standards, helping the organization stay competitive in a rapidly changing telecommunications landscape.






Technology Validation & Lab Testing:


+ Design, document, and lead the execution of comprehensive lab test plans for new products, protocols, and technologies, ensuring alignment with current industry best practices prior to production deployment.



+ Ensure consistency, clarity, and technical accuracy in all deliverables, with test outcomes documented in accordance with formal engineering standards.



+ Oversee the accuracy and completeness of network documentation using platforms such as Confluence to facilitate effective knowledge transfer of design architectures, configuration, and asset standards.






Network Performance & Lifecycle Management:


+ Develop performance measurement subsystems for reporting network systems performance, performs advanced monitoring, and review of Key Performance Indicators (KPI).



+ Leads/participates in the development of inter and intra team processes for system performance.



+ Serves as KPI Subject Matter Expert (SME), monitoring statistical network performance data.



+ Develop and maintain detailed 1-2-year capital and 5-year forward looking plans consistent with the technology roadmap.






Collaboration & Technical Advisory:


+ Work directly with vendors and solution partners on product evaluations, roadmap discussions, and architectural reviews.



+ Participate in deep-dive technical strategy sessions to evaluate technology options, address engineering challenges, and identify innovation opportunities.



+ Act as a liaison between internal teams and external technology providers to ensure alignment and accountability.



+ Serve as a trusted advisor to engineering and executive leadership, providing expert guidance on network design, platform selection, and technical risk assessments.







COMPETENCIES:



+ ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.

Take ownership and accountability of problems and facilitate finding a solution, involving other groups as necessary.

Own and manage priorities and individual tasks without direct supervision.

Take initiative and seek out opportunities.

Assess and accept risks and learn from mistakes.



+ BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles.

Lead by example on all fronts.



+ COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally, including the ability to explain technical concepts to all audiences.

Decision making, problem solving, both technical and procedural.

Build and maintain effective working relationships with leadership, peers, customers, and vendors.



+ COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects company and customer confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.



+ CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.

Provide a professional level of service to both external and internal customers.



+ RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations.



+ SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.



+ COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.

Build and maintain effective working relationships with leadership, peers, customers, and vendors.

Work to resolve problem relationships directly.

Ability to work independently and within a team environment, professionally.



+ RESULTS - Uses a combination of knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving.

Ability to provide training to team members in technology.



+ TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY - MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel).

Knowledge of standard network engineering concepts.

Ability to create and edit network diagrams.






Minimum Qualifications:

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis


+ High School diploma or equivalent.



+ Bachelor of Science Degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related field.*

+ Minimum of twelve years of progressive experience in engineering, with a strong emphasis on Class 4/Class 5 switch technologies.*

+ Foundational understanding of TCP/IP protocol stack elements utilized in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication systems (e.g., session initiation protocol, real-time transport protocol).



+ IPV4 and IPV6 networking knowledge and principles experience, including network monitoring, testing and reporting.




Preferred:


+ Experience within the Telecommunications industry.



+ Other relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.



+ Metaswitch

+ CCNA

+ VoIP

+ SS7/SIGTRAN

+ SSCA (SIP School Certified Associate)






DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:


+ This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations, offices, worksites, or other locations as needed.





PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:



+ Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage.



+ Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment.



+ Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.



+ Physical agility and effort sufficiently to perform job duties safely and effectively.



+ Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.



+ Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary.



+ Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.



+ Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.





The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies.

Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to the immediate emergency.

As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after-hour contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services.



Culture, Engagement, and Connection: At GCI, we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated.

We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer.



EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.



DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.

It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.



All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.




CTO – Staff Engineer, Voice Core

This role is part of CTO focused on technology related to Voice Core Engineering.





Protocols & Standards:


TDM TCP/UDP SIP/QOS MGCP

SS7 ISUP SCCP TCAP

SIGTRAN ISDN CAS RTP/RTCP

MEGACO/H.248 ALI CALEA NENA i3




Hardware & Software:


Metaswitch Ribbon STP SCP

Media Gwy’s Softswitch SBC PIC

Netscout Metasolv




Preferred Certifications:


Metaswitch CCNA VoIP

SS7/SIGTRAN SSCA

Required Skill Profession

Other General