Senior Technical Specialist

Optus; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration and employee-

Flexible hybrid work arrangement

Parental Leave up to 16 weeks

Optus U micro-credentials

Diversity & inclusion programs

Counselling and support services

Job summary

Optus is seeking a senior Network Observability Lead to shape and deploy probe-based telemetry across 5G, 4G, voice and cloud environments. You will translate telemetry into actionable insights, guiding operations, engineering and analytics teams to enhance performance, reliability and customer experience.

You will own automation, integration with OSS, and data pipelines, using Python and API-based workflows to drive proactive network management and transformation at scale.

Qualifications

• Extensive telecom network architecture knowledge across Core, RAN, Transport, IP/MPLS, 4G/5G.
• Proven ability to design, deploy and optimise network monitoring solutions with probe tech such as Wireshark, taps and SPAN ports.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment, configuration, and maintenance of network probe infrastructure across the Optus network.
• Manage end-to-end lifecycle of probe technologies including planning, procurement, upgrades, and vendor management.
• Define telemetry collection strategies and deliver real-time visibility into network health, capacity, and traffic patterns.

Skills

Network observability

Probe technologies

OSS integration

Python automation

Data analytics

Vendor management

Tools

Wireshark

Polystar

Niometrics

Netscout

NPBs

TAPs

Job description

Every day, millions of Australians connect, work, stream, and stay in touch on the Optus network. When it works seamlessly, it's easy to take for granted. But behind it is a team making thousands of decisions every day - decisions that keep people, businesses and communities connected. Lead the strategy, deployment, and management of network probes across Optus’ 5G, 4G, voice, and cloud environments, delivering real-time telemetry and end-to-end observability to enhance network performance, reliability, capacity, and security. Working closely with Network Operations, Engineering, and Analytics teams, you will transform complex network data into actionable insights that enable proactive issue resolution and optimise customer experience for millions of users. As the network observability subject matter expert, you will drive modern monitoring capabilities, shape tooling and platform decisions, and support broader network transformation initiatives, establishing how Optus monitors and responds to network activity in real time.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the deployment, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of network probe infrastructure, ensuring reliable telemetry capture, optimal coverage, and high platform availability across the network.
• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of probe technologies, including planning, procurement, upgrades, vendor management, security compliance, and technology refresh roadmaps.
• Drive network observability by defining telemetry collection strategies and delivering real-time visibility into network health, performance, capacity, and traffic patterns.
• Integrate probe data with OSS, analytics, and monitoring platforms through APIs and data pipelines, ensuring seamless, high-quality data flow across systems.
• Analyse network telemetry to identify trends, anomalies, and optimisation opportunities, translating insights into measurable operational improvements.
• Develop automation, alerting, and reporting capabilities while partnering with Operations and Engineering teams to support proactive network management and transformation initiatives.

What You’ll Bring

• Deep expertise in telecommunications network architectures across Core, RAN, Transport, IP/MPLS, 4G/5G, voice, fixed-line, and cloud-native environments, with strong knowledge of routing, SD-WAN, VPN, NFV/SDN, and network observability principles.
• Proven experience designing, deploying, and optimising network monitoring and instrumentation solutions using probe technologies such as Polystar, Niometrics, Netscout, NPBs, TAPs, SPAN/mirror ports, and packet analysis tools including Wireshark.
• Strong OSS integration capability, including API development, automation, and data exchange using REST, JSON, and XML across fault, performance, ticketing, and analytics platforms.
• Advanced data analytics and visualisation skills, with experience leveraging tools such as Splunk and Grafana to develop dashboards, monitor KPIs, and generate actionable insights for service assurance and network optimisation.
• Proficiency in automation and scripting using Python, Bash, and PowerShell, with experience applying Infrastructure as Code, DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and orchestration frameworks to improve operational efficiency and scalability.
• Demonstrated strength in technical project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and complex problem-solving, including leading cross-functional initiatives, conducting root cause analysis, and driving rapid resolution of critical network incidents.
• Proven leadership, vendor management, and commercial acumen, with the ability to manage strategic technology partners, influence senior stakeholders, develop high-performing teams, and drive network observability roadmaps that support operational excellence and transformation.

The good stuff

• Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. Make life easier (and more affordable) with $80 monthly credit and 25% off Optus products and unique shopping discounts with our retail partners.
• Flexible working arrangements with opportunities to work three days in the office, two days remote or home.
• Competitive leave policies, including additional 'Connected’ days to focus on culture, family, health, community, or whatever’s important to you.
• We support growing families with inclusive, carer-neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks.
• Direct your own development and build future-ready skills with Optus U’s industry-focused micro-credentials, developed with La Trobe and Macquarie Universities.
• Build meaningful connections through employee-led networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+).
• Put your wellbeing first with free access to counselling and support services, 24/7 - in-person, by phone, SMS, or video.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying ‘yes’ to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support, please email [e-mail] or call 1800 309 170. We’re here to help. When you contact us, please advise your preferred method of contact and we will be in touch within 48 hours. For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit https://www.optus.com.au/about/inclusion-diversity.