ISG

Multidisciplinary employee-owned design and consulting firm

Telecommunications Aerial Designer

Telecommunications EngineeringUpdated on Nov 13

Full-timeBloomington, MN, USA$20 - $35 /hr

About the Job

Requirements

Working knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), particularly clearance and loading rules for communications attachments in the supply/communications space.
Familiarity with aerial outside plant (OSP) and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) design concepts, including joint use, make-ready, pole loading, messenger/strand, guying, and down-guy/anchor placement.
Experience reading and producing OSP construction prints, route prints, and pole detail sheets.
Proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD) and/or geographic information system (GIS) tools, such as AutoCAD, ArcGIS, or equivalent OSP design platforms.
Understanding of utility pole attachment standards and the joint-use application and permitting process.
Ability to work with field data and translate survey conditions into compliant designs.
Ability to coordinate across utilities, permitting agencies, and construction crews.
Associate or bachelor's degree in a related technical field, relevant certification, or equivalent OSP/joint-use design experience.
A valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Produce aerial fiber design and pole-loading deliverables for joint-use routes, applying NESC requirements for clearances, loading districts, and grade-of-construction.
Perform make-ready engineering by identifying clearance violations, required pole replacements, riser/down-guy needs, and rearrangements, and translate field conditions into construction notes.
Develop and review pole attachment applications to utility and joint-use owner standards, including forms, exhibits, and supporting calculations.
Run sag and tension analysis and verify mid-span and ground clearances against NESC Rules 232 and 235 and applicable loading cases, using sag tables and pole-loading tools.
Interpret field survey and as-built data, including pole heights, existing attachments, messenger/strand, and span lengths, and incorporate terrain and elevation data into clearance analysis.
Prepare construction-ready drawings, route prints, and design packages in CAD/GIS, including pole-by-pole detail and make-ready summaries.
Coordinate with utility joint-use departments, permitting agencies, survey crews, and construction partners to resolve design conflicts and keep projects moving.
Support quality control of design deliverables and maintain documentation for utility and right-of-way review.
Travel to perform field data collection when necessary.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with pole-loading software such as O-Calc, SPIDAcalc, or similar is a strong plus.

ISG is seeking a highly motivated Telecommunications Aerial Designer to join our dynamic and growing team. As a key member, you will contribute to a variety of exciting projects within our Telecommunications + Utility Business Unit, utilizing innovative technology and collaborating with a diverse range of esteemed public and private clients across the nation. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a full-service, multi-disciplinary firm that consistently delivers exceptional results in planning, design, survey, and construction, and has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards.

You would work closely with Matt Cherek, Telecommunications Practice Group Leader, based in Green Bay. As an ISG employee owner, you will continue to grow in your career. You’ll learn from us, and we’ll learn from you. You’ll have the freedom and autonomy to do your best work with plenty of support along the way. Our culture is essential to our success and your engagement in it.

Here are some projects we’ve worked on recently that might give you a better sense of what you’ll be doing day to day:

As a Telecommunications Designer focused on aerial OSP and joint use, you will engineer pole attachment and make-ready designs that keep fiber builds compliant, constructible, and on schedule. Day to day, you will:

Produce aerial fiber design and pole loading deliverables for joint-use routes, applying the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) for clearances, loading districts, and grade-of-construction requirements
Perform make-ready engineering, identifying clearance violations, required pole replacements, riser/down-guy needs, and rearrangements and translate field conditions into actionable construction notes
Develop and review pole attachment applications to utility and joint-use owner standards, including required forms, exhibits, and supporting calculations
Run sag and tension analysis and verify mid-span and ground clearances against NESC Rule 232/235 and applicable loading cases, using sag tables and pole loading tools
Interpret field survey and as-built data (pole heights, existing attachments, messenger/strand, span lengths) and incorporate terrain and elevation data into clearance analysis
Prepare construction-ready drawings, route prints, and design packages in CAD/GIS, including pole-by-pole detail and make-ready summaries
Coordinate with utility joint-use departments, permitting agencies, survey crews, and construction partners to resolve design conflicts and keep projects moving
Support quality control of design deliverables and maintain documentation that holds up under utility and ROW review
Ability to travel to perform field data collection when necessary

* The above essential duties are skills that a candidate will learn and develop in this position

We’ve listed a compensation range that reflects our expectations for this role, including both direct and indirect components. We understand that your experience and value may fall outside of this range. If you feel you're a strong fit but your compensation needs differ, we’re open to a conversation—let’s talk.

Working knowledge of NESC, particularly clearance and loading rules as they apply to communications attachments in the supply/communications space
Familiarity with aerial OSP and FTTH design concepts: joint use, make-ready, pole loading, messenger/strand, guying, and down-guy/anchor placement
Experience reading and producing OSP construction prints, route prints, and pole detail sheets
Proficiency with CAD and/or GIS tools (AutoCAD, ArcGIS, or equivalent OSP design platforms); experience with pole loading software (e.g., O-Calc, SPIDAcalc, or similar) is a strong plus
Understanding of utility pole attachment standards and the joint-use application/permitting process
Strong attention to detail, comfort working with field data, and the ability to translate survey conditions into compliant designs
Effective communicator who can coordinate across utilities, permitting agencies, and construction crews.
Associate or Bachelor's degree in a related technical field, relevant certification, or equivalent OSP/joint-use design experience
Entry-level candidates with a strong technical foundation and the right aptitude are encouraged to apply. Compensation reflects a range from developing to experienced designers
A valid drivers license

About the Company

ISG

Multidisciplinary employee-owned design and consulting firm

ISG is a 100 percent employee-owned, multidisciplinary design and consulting firm with more than 50 years of experience. It serves multiple markets and brings together experts from different fields to collaborate on projects, giving clients access to a broad knowledge base, practical creativity, and wide perspectives. Its approach combines long-standing client relationships with cross-disciplinary teams to translate client goals into integrated solutions across planning, design, and advisory services. Unlike firms that are siloed by discipline, ISG differentiates itself through employee ownership, deep collaboration, and a culture that emphasizes trust, accountability, and broad industry insight. The goal is to help clients succeed by delivering well-rounded, feasible solutions that consider economics, aesthetics, engineering, and community impact.

Company size: 501-1,000
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Mankato, MN
Founded: 1973

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