About Zinkworks

Zinkworks partners with leading Telecommunications and Financial Services organizations to modernize legacy systems, migrate mission-critical platforms to the cloud, and engineer AI-driven automation. From OSS transformation to rApp development and network intelligence, our teams simplify complexity and turn it into competitive advantage. Based in Ireland and operating across the EU, UK, and US, Zinkworks combines deep domain expertise with delivery excellence to help clients modernize faster and operate smarter.

The Role

As the Fixed Access Network SME, you will act as the “Technical Brain” for the access network within a flagship Agentic AI transformation programme for a major UK Telecommunications provider. You will work closely with AI Architects, Software Engineers, and Solution Architects to decode the complex engineering logic required to plan, design, and configure deep Fibre Access networks.

Your role is critical to enabling autonomous access network planning, ensuring that AI agents accurately reflect real-world physical constraints, planning rules, and operational standards for FTTP and PON networks. This is a senior, domain-led role focused on translating physical network engineering knowledge into deterministic logic that machines can execute safely and consistently.

The Challenge

The client’s wireline network relies on a deep Fibre Access ecosystem spanning outside plant, distribution networks, and access equipment. The objective is to automate the lifecycle of these assets, particularly around FTTP and PON planning.

You will act as the “Source of Truth,” translating fixed access planning rules, splitter hierarchies, fibre routing constraints, and physical network limitations into rigid logic that underpins AI-driven design, validation, and work-order generation.

Key Responsibilities

• Fixed Network Planning Logic: Codify planning rules for FTTP and PON networks, including OLT dimensioning, splitter hierarchies (e.g. cascading splitters), and fibre route optimisation.

• Access Node Configuration: Define the “Golden Standard” for access device configurations, including OLTs and ONTs, creating templates and baselines enforced by the automation platform.

• Capacity Dimensioning: Define deterministic logic for access network scaling, including PON port saturation thresholds, splitting ratios, and growth rules.

• OSS & Physical Inventory Integration: Provide technical expertise on extracting accurate physical topology, geospatial, and asset data from GIS and physical inventory systems to ensure AI-generated designs reflect physical reality.

• Validation & Assurance: Act as the final quality gate for AI-generated access network designs and work orders, ensuring strict adherence to physical planning standards and build rules.

Must-Have Skills

• Minimum 10 years total industry experience, with 8+ years in Fixed Access, FTTx, and Outside Plant (OSP) Planning & Design

• Expert knowledge of Fixed Access and FTTP design, including GPON and XGS-PON architectures, OLT/ONT interactions, and Optical Distribution Network (ODN) design.

• Deep understanding of physical fibre network planning principles, including civils, duct space constraints, splitter placement, and outside plant considerations.

• Proven experience working with OSS and physical inventory systems, with strong understanding of outside plant and access asset data models.

• Ability to document complex physical planning rules and constraints in a structured format that software engineers and automation teams can consume.

• Extensive experience operating in large-scale fibre access or national FTTP rollout environments.

Desirable Skills

• Hands-on experience with access vendors such as Nokia or Adtran.

• Experience using Python or scripting for data analysis, validation, or transformation.

• Comfort working in Agile, software-driven delivery environments using tools such as Jira and Confluence.

• Exposure to automation, AI-driven planning, or intent-based network initiatives.

Inclusion & Diversity at Zinkworks

At Zinkworks, we are deeply committed to fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We believe that our strength lies in the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of our team members. By embracing an inclusive environment, we empower innovation and collaboration across all levels of our organisation. Based in Ireland, we are proud to support and engage with our local communities through meaningful initiatives that promote equity and opportunity. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, as we actively contribute to creating a more inclusive and connected society for all.