Network Design Specialist [Mobile Backhaul]

BT Group; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job description

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Posting Date: 26 Apr 2025

Function: Infrastructure

Unit: Networks

Location: Assembly, Bristol, United Kingdom

Salary: Competitive with Excellent Benefits

Internal Closing Date: 17/04/25

(Our hybrid working model means you are expected to be in the office 3 days per week)

With over 175 years of heritage, BT is now the flagship business brand of BT Group. We’ve brought together our best people and capabilities into a B2B powerhouse serving 1.2 million business customers internationally.

We’re a global leader for secure connectivity and collaboration platforms for businesses of all sizes, from big household names and government departments to sole traders and start-ups. It’s not just the technology that matters, but what it can do to help them build stronger, smarter, and more secure businesses.

We value diversity and inclusion and believe in making a positive impact. We connect for good by championing digital inclusion and equipping people, businesses, and communities with digital skills to thrive.

As a member of our team, you will be part of an organisation that celebrates differences, fosters innovation, and provides opportunities to excel. With millions of businesses relying on us daily, joining BT means being part of a diverse and multi-skilled team making a significant societal impact.

The Mobile Backhaul Network carries all of our EE mobile, BT Mobile, and ESN network traffic from mobile basestations to the Core Network. It includes fibre, microwave, and satellite backhaul, with fibre comprising openreach products and dark fibre, increasingly utilizing access DWDM, and extending the routed network to the edge. Traditional backhaul is evolving into fronthaul, with the use of access DWDM and CPRI connections to the Core.

You will play a key role in designing the Mobile Access Network, focusing on creating easily planned and maintained designs that ensure network availability. Your work will involve designing with Cisco, Ericsson, and Nokia routers, and advancing into access DWDM and network evolution beyond basic backhaul. Collaborating closely with Network Principal Designers, the Senior Transmission Manager, and the Router sub-team, you’ll provide critical dependencies to support ESN network availability, 5G rollout, and service evolution. This is a strategic role with multiple business units relying on our backhaul solutions. Challenges will arise, but the rewards of successful delivery are substantial.

The successful candidate will be cleared to BPSS (or equivalent) as a minimum and may need to undergo National Security Vetting (e.g., CTC, SC, or NPPV).

What you’ll be doing

• Designing backhaul solutions for the macro cellular network and bespoke solutions for specific projects.
• Developing solutions compatible with multiple RAN vendors, Openreach products, and 21CN.
• Collaborating within the Backhaul Design team to ensure end-to-end solution integrity and supporting deployment teams.
• Assessing risks and issues affecting cell site transmission and transport connectivity, working with operational and planning teams to analyze, support, and resolve network faults.
• Participating in network evolution within the design and architecture teams.

The skills you'll need

• Routing and switching expertise across various vendors (including VRFs and eBGP).
• Understanding of network security (TSA driven).
• Troubleshooting skills.
• Technical documentation proficiency.
• Experience in mobile/fixed telecoms, particularly in design or planning for high-availability, critical systems.
• Knowledge of 5G, LTE, LTE-A, and 3GPP architectures, with relevant transport requirements.
• Router and switching network design experience.
• Practical lab connectivity experience with routers and switches.
• Experience managing supplier and third-party relationships, with strong communication skills to bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Looking in:
Leading inclusively and safely
Building trust through honesty and integrity.
Owning outcomes
Making decisions that benefit the organization.

Looking out:
Delivering for the customer
Executing on priorities that add value.
Commercially savvy
Maintaining a strong commercial focus and external perspective.

Looking to the future:
Growth mindset
Seeking opportunities for personal and organizational growth.
Building for the future
Creating diverse, future-ready teams where all can excel.

We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to an inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, even if your experience doesn't match every qualification listed. We offer flexible working options and reasonable adjustments during the hiring process to support all candidates.