Lead Network Architect

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and retirement benefits

Leadership development

Training and conferences

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Network Architect in Cape Town to define and guide the network strategy for a major telecoms player. You will architect high-performance, secure, scalable networks, mentor teams, and partner with executives to drive innovation.

You will lead complex, multi-site designs with MPLS/SD-WAN, BGP/OSPF, and cloud integration, ensuring robust security and future readiness for evolving services.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 10+ years in network architecture and design, with telecom sector experience.
• Experience with MPLS, SD-WAN, BGP, OSPF and advanced security protocols.
• Proven leadership of technical teams and projects.
• Cloud networking experience and on-prem integration.
• Experience with automation/orchestration tools.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder influence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the network architecture roadmap aligned to business strategy.
• Lead multi-site network design covering routing, switching, security and wireless.
• Evaluate new tech to boost performance, scalability and security.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into designs.
• Define standards, practices and operational procedures.
• Oversee capacity planning for growth and new services.
• Analyze performance and security incidents; recommend strategic actions.
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate partners.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Presentation skills

Analytical thinking

Networking concepts

Education

Master's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Network automation tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the Telecoms industry in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Western Cape, is actively recruiting for a Lead Network Architect. This senior leadership position is crucial for defining and overseeing the strategic direction of our network infrastructure. You will be responsible for architecting high-performance, scalable, and secure network solutions that support our evolving business needs and technological advancements. This role requires a visionary leader with a deep understanding of current and emerging network technologies and a proven track record of successful network design and implementation in large-scale environments. The Lead Network Architect will collaborate closely with executive leadership, engineering teams, and external partners to ensure our network infrastructure remains at the forefront of innovation. This is a unique opportunity to shape the technological landscape of a major telecommunications company based in Cape Town.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall network architecture roadmap, aligning with business strategy and future growth plans.
• Lead the design and implementation of complex, multi-site network solutions, encompassing routing, switching, security, and wireless technologies.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and solutions to enhance network performance, scalability, and security.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to network engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to gather requirements and translate them into robust network designs.
• Define network standards, best practices, and operational procedures.
• Oversee capacity planning and ensure the network can support projected traffic growth and new service offerings.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of network performance and security incidents, providing strategic recommendations.
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate potential technology partners.

Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in network architecture and design, with a significant portion within the telecommunications sector.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing large-scale enterprise networks using technologies like MPLS, SD-WAN, BGP, OSPF, and advanced security protocols.
• Proven leadership experience in managing technical teams and projects.
• Deep understanding of cloud networking concepts and integration with on-premises infrastructure.
• Experience with network automation and orchestration tools.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking abilities.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Industry-recognized certifications (e.g., CCDE, JNCIE-SP) are a strong asset.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, wellness, and retirement benefits package.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership development.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and complex networking challenges.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates relocating to Cape Town.
• Dynamic and forward-thinking work environment within a leading Telecoms company.
• Regular professional training and conference attendance.