Lead Network Operations Engineer

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Medical aid

Provident fund

Life insurance

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Network Operations Engineer in Sandton, Gauteng, to head the NOC and ensure high network availability, performance, and security. You will guide incident response, upgrades, and documentation, while mentoring junior engineers.

The role demands a strong background in routing, switching, and security, plus expertise with SolarWinds, Nagios, and Zabbix. Hybrid work flexibility is offered with on-site duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field.
• 6–8 years of experience in network operations or network engineering.
• Proven experience in lead or supervisory role within a NOC.
• In-depth knowledge of routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), switching and network security.
• Proficiency with network monitoring tools (SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix).
• Experience with firewall management and VPN technologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Hybrid work environment with on-site presence for critical operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Network Operations Center (NOC) team.
• Oversee monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting of core network infrastructure.
• Respond to and resolve network incidents and outages in a timely manner.
• Implement network changes, upgrades, and configurations per procedures.
• Develop and maintain network documentation and runbooks.
• Ensure adherence to network security policies.
• Manage vendor and service provider relationships.
• Identify areas for network improvement and propose solutions.
• Mentor and train junior NOC engineers.
• Participate in capacity planning and performance tuning.

Skills

Leadership

NOC operations

BGP

OSPF

Network security

Monitoring tools

Firewalls

VPN technologies

Vendor management

CCNA/CCNP

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE/Telecom

Tools

SolarWinds

Nagios

Zabbix

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major telecommunications provider, is seeking an experienced Lead Network Operations Engineer for their facility in Sandton, Gauteng . This hybrid role requires a skilled professional to lead the network operations center (NOC) team, ensuring the continuous availability, performance, and security of our client's extensive network infrastructure. You will be responsible for overseeing daily operations, managing incidents, implementing network upgrades, and mentoring junior engineers. The ideal candidate has a strong background in network engineering, expertise in network monitoring tools, and proven leadership capabilities. This position is crucial for maintaining the high standards of service delivery expected by our client's customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Network Operations Center (NOC) team, providing guidance and support.
• Oversee the monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the core network infrastructure.
• Respond to and resolve network incidents and outages in a timely and efficient manner.
• Implement network changes, upgrades, and configurations according to established procedures.
• Develop and maintain network documentation, including operational runbooks and topology diagrams.
• Ensure network security policies and procedures are followed.
• Manage relationships with vendors and service providers.
• Identify areas for network improvement and propose solutions.
• Mentor and train junior NOC engineers.
• Participate in capacity planning and performance tuning activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of experience in network operations or network engineering.
• Proven experience in a lead or supervisory role within a NOC environment.
• In-depth knowledge of routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF), switching, and network security.
• Proficiency with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix).
• Experience with firewall management and VPN technologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote and on-site responsibilities.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, or equivalent are highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, provident fund, and life insurance. This hybrid role provides the flexibility of working remotely on certain days, with essential on-site presence for team collaboration and critical operations. Opportunities for professional development, including advanced certifications and training programs, are readily available. Join a reputable organization committed to technological innovation and employee growth. Be part of a critical team ensuring the stability and performance of a large-scale telecommunications network in Sandton, Gauteng .