Backbone Planner

Amazon; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Dubai is seeking a Backbone Planner to drive infrastructure planning and performance improvements across the APAC and EMEAI regions. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in project management and telecommunications, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and a deep understanding of dark fibre networks. This position demands strong organizational skills and collaboration with cross-functional teams to implement effective strategies and manage network changes. UAE nationals are preferred for this role.

Benefits

Inclusive culture

Work-life balance flexibility

Qualifications

• 5 years vendor and project management experience.
• Minimum of 5 years telecommunications industry experience in a similar environment.
• Direct technical experience with long-haul dark fibre networks.
• Knowledge of major internet routing protocols: BGP, OSPF.
• Willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Act as cross-regional subject-matter expert on topology change management.
• Develop infrastructure execution plans with Business Developers.
• Compile topology information and performance metrics for recommendations.
• Manage network migrations and changes to support growth.

Skills

Vendor and project management

Telecommunications industry experience

IP peering ecosystems

Fibre-optic networks

Long-haul dark fibre networks

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Job Overview

AWS has an exciting Backbone Planner opportunity in Dubai available for a UAE national with a family book. AWS is committed to contributing towards the UAE’s goal of employing 75,000 Emiratis in the private sector and to Ministerial Resolution No.279.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the EMEAI and APAC cross‑regional subject‑matter expert on topology change management and infrastructure demand planning.
• Collaboratively develop network infrastructure execution plans in partnership with Business Developers that involve leased wavelengths, dark fibre, and submarine cable capacity/builds.
• Develop strategic regional backbone network plans for approval by internal customers and stakeholders with a focus on short, medium, and long‑term needs.
• Work with network engineering to ensure the highest degree of design consistency, network efficiency, cost optimisation, and long‑term scalability of the backbone network.
• Compile topology information and performance metrics, and make recommendations for improvements based on their findings.
• Manage network change (migrations) as the network evolves to support increased traffic volumes and geographic expansion.
• Translate backbone and edge forecasts into actionable network infrastructure projects.
• Own network availability performance and remediation plans to address non‑compliance.
• Document the physical infrastructure of the rest of the world backbone infrastructure.

A Day in the Life

The Planner role focuses on driving backbone performance improvements and managing network planning across APAC/EMEAI regions. Daily activities include coordinating with Business Development and Network Engineering teams to develop infrastructure plans, analyze performance metrics, and implement optimisation strategies. You’ll maintain topology documentation, manage network changes, and serve as a subject‑matter expert for cross‑regional planning.

About the Team & Culture

Amazon values diverse experiences and encourages candidates who don’t meet all preferred qualifications to apply. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. We value curiosity and connection, promote inclusion through employee‑led affinity groups and inclusion events, and support work‑life balance with flexibility. We continuously raise the bar for performance and career growth through mentorship and knowledge‑sharing.

Essential Qualifications

• 5 years vendor and project management experience.
• Minimum of 5 years telecommunications industry experience in a similar environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Direct technical experience working in a company owning or operating long‑haul dark fibre networks and DWDM systems.
• Ability to demonstrate influence on planning, design, development, contracting, implementation, and operation of long‑haul backbone networks.
• Extensive knowledge of IP peering ecosystems, fibre‑optic networks, submarine cables, and the interconnection of these networks.
• Experience working at a large network operator, OTT, or Internet Service Provider.
• In‑depth knowledge of the latest optical communications developments.
• In‑depth knowledge and experience with major internet routing protocols, specifically BGP, OSPF, MPLS, RSVP, and ISIS.
• Willingness to travel.
• Ability to anticipate customer requirements and be organised.

Additional Eligibility

UAE national with family book.