Principal Optical Network Engineer

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Hybrid Durban role

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Optical Network Engineer in Durban to lead the design of high-capacity optical transport networks, including DWDM and ROADM architectures. You will develop capacity forecasts and partner with vendors to select equipment for scalable builds.

The role requires 8+ years in optical networking, deep knowledge of DWDM/OTN/IP-MPLS, and strong project management. Hybrid work in Durban and collaboration with cross-functional teams are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in optical network engineering and design, preferably within a service provider environment.
• Familiarity with DWDM, OTN, SONET/SDH, Ethernet, and IP/MPLS.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of high-capacity optical transport networks, including DWDM, OTN, and associated protocols.
• Develop strategic network expansion plans and capacity forecasts for optical infrastructure.
• Evaluate and select optical networking equipment and technologies from various vendors.
• Create detailed network designs, documentation, and implementation plans for optical network upgrades and new builds.
• Oversee testing, commissioning, and integration of new optical network elements and services.
• Troubleshoot complex optical network issues, providing expert-level support to field operations teams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration with other transport and access technologies.
• Stay abreast of emerging optical networking technologies, such as coherent optics and disaggregated optics.
• Develop and implement network optimization strategies to improve performance, resilience, and cost-efficiency.
• Mentor junior optical network engineers and share technical expertise across the organization.

Skills

DWDM

OTN

SONET/SDH

Ethernet/IP/MPLS

ROADM architectures

Optical amplifiers

Performance monitoring

Fiber characterization

Project management

Vendor evaluation

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

NMS

EMS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading telecommunications infrastructure provider in Durban, is actively seeking a highly experienced Principal Optical Network Engineer. This pivotal role is responsible for the strategic design, planning, and optimization of our extensive fiber optic network across various regions. You will be instrumental in ensuring the high performance, scalability, and reliability of our optical transport network, which is crucial for delivering high-speed data services. This position involves a hybrid work model, combining collaborative work at our Durban office with the flexibility of remote work. The ideal candidate will possess a deep technical understanding of optical networking technologies, including DWDM, OTN, and ROADMs, coupled with strong project management skills. You will work closely with engineering, operations, and planning teams to deliver robust network solutions that meet current and future capacity demands. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of optical communications infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of high-capacity optical transport networks, including DWDM, OTN, and associated protocols.
• Develop strategic network expansion plans and capacity forecasts for optical infrastructure.
• Evaluate and select optical networking equipment and technologies from various vendors.
• Create detailed network designs, documentation, and implementation plans for optical network upgrades and new builds.
• Oversee the testing, commissioning, and integration of new optical network elements and services.
• Troubleshoot complex optical network issues, providing expert-level support to field operations teams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of optical networks with other transport and access technologies.
• Stay abreast of emerging optical networking technologies, such as coherent optics, disaggregated optics, and next-generation DWDM systems.
• Develop and implement network optimization strategies to improve performance, resilience, and cost-efficiency.
• Mentor junior optical network engineers and share technical expertise across the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in optical network engineering and design, preferably within a service provider environment.
• In-depth knowledge of DWDM, OTN, SONET/SDH, Ethernet, and IP/MPLS.
• Experience with ROADM architectures, optical amplifiers, and fiber characterization techniques.
• Proficiency with network management systems (NMS) and element management systems (EMS) for optical networks.
• Familiarity with optical performance monitoring tools and techniques.
• Strong understanding of fiber optic principles, cable types, connectors, and physical layer characteristics.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Experience with major optical networking vendors (e.g., Ciena, Nokia, Cisco, Infinera) is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being and professional growth.
• This includes excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• An annual performance-based bonus is available.
• We provide a robust retirement savings plan with generous employer contributions.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, including specialized training, vendor certifications, and attendance at industry conferences, are provided.
• This hybrid role offers flexibility, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration in Durban and remote work.
• Generous paid time off, encompassing vacation, sick leave, and public holidays, is included.
• You will have access to cutting-edge optical networking tools and technologies.
• Join our team in Durban and play a key role in building the future of high-speed connectivity.