Lead IP Core Network Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,400,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary commensurate with experience

Health insurance

Retirement savings options

Generous leave policies

Advanced training and certifications

Relocation assistance

Annual performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead IP Core Network Engineer in Cape Town to drive the architectural design and operations of the national IP core. You will lead a team of engineers, ensuring reliability, scalability, and performance across the core network, while shaping technology strategy and network modernization.

The ideal candidate has 8–10 years in IP networking with proven leadership, deep routing protocol expertise (BGP/ISIS/OSPF), and experience with SDN/NFV concepts.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering or related field is preferred.
• 8–10 years of IP network engineering experience.
• Minimum 3 years in a leadership or senior architect role focused on core networks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and ongoing optimization of the IP core network infrastructure, ensuring robustness and scalability.
• Oversee the management and maintenance of core network elements, including routers and switches.
• Develop and enforce network architecture standards, policies, and security.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to the IP core network engineering team.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues, perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with planning, operations, and service assurance teams to meet business needs.
• Evaluate and introduce new technologies to enhance performance and capacity.
• Manage vendor relationships and technical evaluations for network equipment and services.

Skills

IP core network design

Network leadership

Team leadership

BGP/ISIS/OSPF

MPLS and segment routing

Performance analysis

Vendor management

Security in core networks

Communication & stakeholder mgmt

SDN/NFV knowledge

Education

Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Cisco

Juniper

Nokia

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the telecommunications industry based in the vibrant city of Cape Town , is actively seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Lead IP Core Network Engineer. This senior position is crucial for the architectural design, development, and operational excellence of our client's national IP core network. You will be responsible for leading a team of skilled engineers, ensuring the highest levels of network reliability, scalability, and performance. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of telecommunications infrastructure in South Africa, working with cutting-edge technologies and addressing complex challenges. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional technical acumen, strong leadership qualities, and a strategic mindset to drive innovation and efficiency within the network operations. Your contributions will directly impact the quality of service delivered to millions of customers across the country. We are looking for someone who is passionate about technology and eager to make a significant impact in a leading organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing optimization of the IP core network infrastructure, ensuring robustness and scalability.
• Oversee the management and maintenance of core network elements, including routers, switches, and associated hardware/software.
• Develop and enforce network architecture standards, policies, and procedures to maintain network integrity and security.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to the IP core network engineering team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues, performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions to minimize service disruption.
• Collaborate with planning, operations, and service assurance teams to ensure network capabilities meet business and customer requirements.
• Evaluate and introduce new technologies and solutions to enhance network performance, efficiency, and capacity.
• Manage vendor relationships and technical evaluations for network equipment and services.
• Develop capacity planning strategies and ensure sufficient network resources to meet future demand.
• Ensure compliance with industry best practices and regulatory requirements for network operations.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field is preferred; a Bachelor's degree with extensive relevant experience will also be considered.
• At least 8-10 years of progressive experience in IP network engineering, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership or senior architect role focused on core networks.
• Deep expertise in IP routing protocols (BGP, ISIS, OSPF), MPLS, segment routing, and related technologies.
• Proficiency in network performance analysis, troubleshooting methodologies, and fault isolation techniques.
• Experience with network hardware from leading vendors (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, Nokia).
• Strong understanding of network security principles and implementation strategies within a core network environment.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide engineering teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with network virtualization, SDN, and NFV concepts is highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and manage critical network incidents effectively in Cape Town .

Benefits

• An attractive salary commensurate with experience and leadership responsibilities.
• Comprehensive health insurance plans and retirement savings options.
• Generous leave policies and paid time off.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth, including advanced training and certifications.
• Exposure to large-scale, mission-critical network projects.
• A collaborative and innovative work culture.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for exceptional candidates.
• Annual performance bonuses and other incentives.