Lead Network Architect

Placements24; Randburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level bonus

Fully remote work

Comprehensive health coverage

Generous PTO and development budget

Access to cutting-edge networking tech

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Network Architect—remote in South Africa. The role demands a visionary, highly experienced architect to drive the design and evolution of national and international network infrastructure.

You will define strategic directions, ensure scalability, resilience, and cost-effectiveness, and translate business requirements into robust designs while guiding engineering teams and stakeholders across functions.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent extensive experience in computing/telecoms.
• 10+ years in network engineering and architecture for large-scale telecoms.
• Expertise in routing (BGP, OSPF), MPLS, VPNs, switching.
• Strong security, firewalls, and IDS/IPS knowledge.
• Familiarity with cloud networking and modern network management tools.
• Certifications CCIE/JNCIE are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a national/international network architecture strategy.
• Design and document complex network solutions (routing, switching, security, WAN).
• Evaluate new network technologies and architectures.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to network teams.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and product management to ensure architectural integrity.
• Define standards, best practices, and governance policies.
• Lead troubleshooting for complex network issues and ensure resilience.
• Analyze performance data and identify optimization opportunities.
• Develop capacity planning models to support growth.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Analytical

Problem-solving

Presentation skills

Education

Master's degree in CS/EE or equivalent

CCIE / JNCIE certification desirable

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

SDN/NFV

Job description

About the Role

This is a fully remote opportunity for a Lead Network Architect within a leading telecommunications company. Our client seeks a visionary and highly experienced architect to spearhead the design and evolution of its national and international network infrastructure. You will be responsible for defining the strategic direction of our network architecture, ensuring it is scalable, resilient, secure, and cost-effective to meet future business demands. This role requires a deep understanding of complex networking principles, emerging technologies, and the ability to translate business requirements into robust technical designs. Working remotely from anywhere in South Africa, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams, guide engineering efforts, and provide technical leadership. This is a high-impact role for an expert in network architecture who thrives on tackling complex challenges and shaping the future of connectivity in the telecoms sector. We foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning, providing the tools and support for our remote employees to excel.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall network architecture strategy, aligning with business objectives and technological advancements.
• Design and document network solutions for complex, large-scale deployments, including routing, switching, security, and WAN technologies.
• Evaluate and recommend new network technologies, protocols, and architectures.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to network engineering teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across engineering, operations, and product management to ensure architectural integrity.
• Define network standards, best practices, and governance policies.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex network issues and architect solutions for resilience and scalability.
• Analyze network performance data and identify areas for optimization and improvement.
• Develop capacity planning models and ensure the network can support projected growth.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and competitive landscape in network architecture.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 10+ years of experience in network engineering and architecture, with a significant focus on large-scale telecommunications networks.
• Deep expertise in routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), switching technologies, MPLS, and VPNs.
• Proven experience designing and implementing resilient, highly available network infrastructures.
• Strong understanding of network security principles, firewalls, and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
• Familiarity with SDN/NFV, cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP), and modern network management tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and strong communication and presentation skills.
• Relevant advanced certifications (e.g., CCIE, JNCIE) are highly desirable.

Benefits

• Exceptional salary package with executive-level bonuses.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering maximum flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off and professional development budget.
• Opportunities to work on transformative projects shaping the future of telecommunications.
• A highly collaborative and innovative remote work culture.
• Retirement savings plan with significant company contributions.
• Access to the latest networking technologies and research.