Principal 5G Network Architect (Remote)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options / equity grants

Health and wellness benefits

Retirement savings plan with company ?

Home office setup stipend

Unlimited PTO and flexible hours

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal 5G Network Architect to lead the design and evolution of our global 5G infrastructure. This fully remote role is based in Rustenburg, North West, ZA, with autonomy to manage your work environment while delivering impactful results.

You will drive standards for 5G deployment, collaborate with global teams, and mentor engineers, shaping our technology roadmap for years to come.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in telecommunications network design and architecture, with at least 5 years focused on 5G technologies.
• Deep understanding of 5G standards (3GPP releases), NSA/SA architectures, and AMF/SMF/UPF/gNB components.
• Extensive experience with cloud-native network functions and containerization technologies.
• Experience with NFV/SDN, RAN, transport, and IP networking principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and roadmap for the next-generation 5G network.
• Define standards and best practices for deployment, operation, and optimization.
• Evaluate emerging technologies to enhance capabilities and efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering, product management, and operations to translate requirements into designs.
• Develop high-level and detailed network designs including capacity planning and security frameworks.
• Provide expert guidance and mentorship to network engineering teams.
• Represent the company in technical forums and industry discussions.
• Conduct PoC evaluations for new technologies and vendor solutions.
• Maintain comprehensive architectural documentation.

Skills

5G architecture leadership

Core network & RAN knowledge

Cloud-native CNFs & Kubernetes

NFV & SDN

5G security

Stakeholder leadership

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering or Telecommunications

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Job description

About the Role

This is an exceptional opportunity for a highly accomplished Principal 5G Network Architect to join our esteemed organization as a fully remote employee. Based in Rustenburg, North West, ZA, you will be instrumental in shaping the future of our wireless telecommunications infrastructure. You will lead the strategic design and evolution of our 5G network, ensuring it is robust, scalable, and optimized for performance and security. This role demands a visionary leader with deep technical expertise in all facets of 5G architecture, including core network, radio access network (RAN), and transport layers. You will collaborate with global teams, drive innovation, and contribute to critical decision-making processes that will define our technological roadmap for years to come. As a fully remote position, you will have the autonomy to manage your work environment effectively while delivering impactful results. Our client is committed to attracting top talent and providing an environment where groundbreaking ideas can flourish.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and roadmap development for our next-generation 5G network.
• Define standards and best practices for 5G network deployment, operation, and optimization.
• Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies and solutions to enhance network capabilities and efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and operations teams to translate business requirements into technical network designs.
• Develop high-level and detailed network designs, including capacity planning, resilience strategies, and security frameworks.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to network engineering teams.
• Represent the company in technical forums and industry discussions related to 5G architecture.
• Conduct proof-of-concept (PoC) evaluations for new technologies and vendor solutions.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive architectural documentation.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in telecommunications network design and architecture, with at least 5 years focused on 5G technologies.
• Deep understanding of 5G standards (3GPP Releases), architecture (NSA/SA), and key components (AMF, SMF, UPF, gNB).
• Extensive experience with cloud-native network functions (CNFs) and containerization technologies (Kubernetes, Docker).
• Proven expertise in network virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN).
• Strong knowledge of RAN, transport, and IP networking principles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects and influence stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information effectively.
• Experience with network security principles and implementation in 5G environments.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous stock options or equity grants.
• Retirement savings plan with attractive company contributions.
• Unlimited paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Home office setup stipend.
• Professional development budget for courses and certifications.
• Opportunity to shape the future of telecommunications technology.
• Direct impact on a global network.