Principal Specialist: Solutions Architect

Vodafone; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Vodacom is seeking an experienced Technology Architect to lead a team, shape end-to-end solutions, and ensure architectural integrity across mobile, fixed, cloud and IoT offerings.

You will collaborate with product, engineering and project management teams to drive scalable, secure and reusable architectures within Vodacom Business. Strong TOGAF understanding and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Hold a relevant degree in Computer Science, Engineering or IT.
• Postgraduate qualifications are desirable.
• 7+ years’ experience in technology architecture and systems.
• Extensive experience in managing an architecture team.
• Extensive knowledge of TOGAF framework.
• Extensive knowledge across fixed data, voice, mobile, cloud, security, UC and IoT technologies.
• 3+ years of management experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the work of solution architects to identify key end-to-end functional requirements and support shaping the end-to-end solution design approach.
• Oversee end-to-end solutions for complex and multi-tower projects that align with objectives and architecture standards.
• Capture and drive programs enabling interconnected offers for a joined-up customer experience beyond mobile.
• Create and adopt architectural frameworks and principles to protect integrity and reusability.
• Collaborate with product architects and engineering teams for delivery planning.
• Ensure root cause analysis and option identification for complex issues.
• Maintain alignment with Enterprise and Integration Architecture standards.
• Definition and enforcement of architecture guidelines, standards and controls.
• Ensure consistency in application architecture with Vodacom Business standards.
• Assure solution architecture, documentation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

TOGAF framework understanding

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or IT

Postgraduate qualifications (Desirable)

Tools

SD-WAN

MPLS

IP VPN

IP Telephony

SIP

5G

Cloud

Cyber Security

Unified Communications

IoT

Job description

When it comes to putting people first, we're number 1.

The number 1 Top Employer in South Africa.
Certified by the Top Employer Institute 2026.

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

Manage a team to design and implement comprehensive technology solutions that meet our customers' complex business needs. The role will require validating and assuring end to end solutions for various Vodacom Business customer requirements using modern architectural frameworks and best practice. You will also support specialist sales, product managers and product architect teams with incrementally evolving our end-to-end solution capabilities across mobile, core connectivity and beyond mobile (fixed, cloud and IoT) to ensure improved customer experience, resiliency, re-usability, scalability and cost management.

Your strong technical skills, combined with your ability to think strategically and solve complex problems, will contribute to the successful implementation of our Vodacom Business TechCo strategy.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Oversee the work of solution architects to identify key end to end functional requirements and support shaping of the end-to-end solution design approach.
• Oversee end to end solutions for complex and multi tower solutions that align with business objectives and our architecture standards, taking into consideration scalability, performance, security and maintainability.
• Capture and drive programmes than enable interconnected offers to enable customers to have a joined up and more effortless experience when consuming beyond mobile products.
• Create and adopt the architectural frameworks and principles to protect the integrity and reusability of the solution throughout the lifecycle, keeping it as simple as possible.
• Collaborate with product architects to define architectural guardrails, product teams for refinement of product features, and with engineering teams and project managers for high level delivery planning.
• Ensure root cause analysis and identifying solution options for complex issues found during delivery or on live services when required.
• Maintain alignment with Enterprise and Integration Architecture standards across all work.
• Definition and enforcement of architecture guidelines, standards and controls.
• Ensure consistency in application architecture and alignment with Vodacom Business architectural standards.
• Assure solution architecture, documentation and ways of working improvement initiatives contributing to the department’s continuous improvement goals.
• Maintain optimal utilisation of the solution architecture teams by matching cross-team resourcing with demand.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• Hold a relevant degree in Computer Science, Engineering or IT.
• Postgraduate qualifications (Desirable).
• 7+ years’ experience in Technology architecture and Systems.
• Extensive experience in managing an architecture team.
• Extensive with Domain Architecture and Design.
• Extensive Understanding of TOGAF Framework.
• Extensive Knowledge of:
  • Fixed data communication technologies [including SD-WAN, MPLS, IP VPN technologies]
  • Voice communication technologies [including IPT, NGN, IN, SIP etc…]
  • Mobile data communication technologies [All available Spectrums including 5G, Managed/Secure Mobility]
  • Cloud, Cyber Security & Managed Services
  • Unified Communications solutions
  • IOT
• 3+ years management experience.

Core competencies, knowledge, and experience:

• Business development skills – unlocking the opportunity based on customers’ business requirements.
• Extensive experience in telecoms/IT design with proven technical co-ordination.
• Experience in change management in a technological context.
• Team player, strong influence and relationship management skills.
• A self-starter with a determination to succeed, balanced with appropriate tact and diplomacy.
• Fluent in English.
• Ability to lead in high-growth, high-uncertainty environments.
• Ability to work in an international and distributed virtual team.
• Excellent Customer relationship management skills with ability to interact at Director level.
• Strong communication and decision-making skills – ability to balance conflicting interests.

Behavioural Competencies

• Customer Focus: Prioritizing customer needs and delivering excellent service
• Accountability: seeks feedback and identifies opportunities for improvement or innovation
• Collaboration: Actively fosters collaboration, seeks input and effectively partners
• Resilience: Actively seeks opportunities for growth, demonstrates a strong commitment to self-improvement and has a growth mindset
• Flexibility: uses various techniques to influence others (lobbies, approaches decision makers, finds sponsors)
• People Management: Ensure team work together to deliver on their responsibilities creating accountability and ownership
• Organizational Savvy: Demonstrates strong understanding of assigned strategy for the Business/ Function and creates strong team alignment to the strategy.

We make an impact by offering:

• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies

Closing date for Applications: 07 October 2026.

The base location for this role is Midrand, Vodacom Campus.

The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.