Starting a Career As an OSP Construction Contractor: Everything You Need To Know

Key Takeaways

• As an Outside Plant (OSP) Construction Contractor, you will install and maintain telecommunications systems, including fiber optic cables and Wi-Fi.

• You have a practical role in constructing, designing, and maintaining the computer network’s infrastructure and architecture.

• To start, get a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering along with an internship, a license for your field, and you will be good to go.  

• Skills in fiber optics, project management, and the telecommunications equipment sector will be needed. 

• Based on the existing relationships within the market, the prognosis for OSP Construction Contractors is exceptionally positive owing to the region’s requirement for new, skilled professionals.

If you are considering pursuing a career in construction, an excellent choice would be to become an OSP (Outside Plant) construction contractor.  

You likely have come across workers building networks or installing cables on the streets, and these positions do see a lot of hiring.  

There has never been a better time to become an infrastructure expert because the global fiber optics market is projected to reach $14.93 billion by 2030 (Source: LinkedIn).  

This is where the OSP construction contractor comes in; they take care of everything from phone lines, cables, and Wi-Fi to much more.  

If you want to learn more about the position, and you’re looking for a hands-on role with a lot of opportunities for advancement, this might be the right job for you.

What Is an Outside Plant Construction Contractor?

As an outside plant (OSP) construction contractor, you’re not exactly directing a building crew from a remote location. 

Instead, you will coordinate the telecommunications design and the construction and maintenance of the facility’s telecommunications systems.  

In other words, you are responsible for ensuring that communication can be had with ease throughout the building. 

If a problem pops up, the OSP construction contractor is usually the first phone call building owners and managers make. 

Part of your duties is troubleshooting problems like issues with underground and even aerial cables. 

Conduit leads and installing fiber-optic equipment are other tasks you’re probably going to find yourself managing as an OSP construction contractor.

The data below shows the Telecommunication OSP Engineer Jobs in California.

Common Duties of an OSP Construction Engineer

You have a general idea of what an OSP construction contractor does; your job isn’t done just because the Wi-Fi is up and running. 

You’re also responsible for maintenance and evaluating the plant’s telecommunications infrastructure, including:

• Outside plant engineers can also specialize in specific areas.

• Helping OSP drafting technicians with the print drawings and illustrations of the poles, fiber optic cables, conduits, and other electronic items. 

• Working with outside plant Technicians and specialists to execute and complete projects.  

• Preparing feasibility studies that aid the project team in planning and documenting proposed installation pathways.

• Leading and controlling project teams in the installation, construction, and maintenance of cables and fiber optic cables.

• Reporting progress, constraints, and budget requests to relevant management personnel and project sponsors.  

•  Analyzing the scope of a project and calculating the budget required to control and manage the costs.  

• Preparing work requisitions for malfunctioning equipment.

• Performing risk assessments to determine the course of action required for favorable project results.

• Providing cost-related information for materials used in the telecommunications project.  

• Conducting quality control at every stage of the telecommunications project.

You should also be ready to work with just about any type of tech component, especially the hardware. 

Fiber optic cables, LAN networks, and routers are just a few examples of the hardware you’re going to be dealing with pretty much every day on the job. 

Some of your duties may overlap with the facility’s established IT department, and it’s okay, you can just think of it as having a little extra help on the job.

You Should Have Key Skills as an OSP Construction Contractor

Since you’re working in a highly specialized field, it’s not surprising to learn you’re going to need a few key skills. 

Like many other professions, the field of telecommunications and information technology cannot be mastered through YouTube videos.  

You will require specialized industry knowledge, such as knowing how to set up and configure fiber-optic networks. 

You’re also going to need to understand your local optical area network and vital engineering principles. 

Yep, this means getting a degree in engineering, along with the required certification, and if you’re wondering about the type of degrees you’re going to need as an OSP engineer. 

Along with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, there’s also a required internship. 

After completing your internship, you can get your professional license and start working as an OSP construction contractor.

The Future Looks Bright For OSP Construction Contractors

Outlook is favorable considering that OSP construction contractors will experience a 3% annual increase in job opportunities, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.  

At least in terms of job stability, and this also means you have a chance to grow in your career, which typically means pay increases. 

Salary is likely to differ based on the area, but experience will be a determining factor.

Experienced OSP engineers typically earn over $54,000 annually, and a career as an OSP construction contractor is rarely boring, and best of all, the future is looking pretty bright.