Principal Telecom Network Architect

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Home office setup allowance

Professional development budget

Generous annual leave

IT support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Telecom Network Architect for a fully remote position to drive the strategic direction of our advanced telecommunications network infrastructure. You will lead design of core, transport, access and service layers across 5G, SDN/NFV, IP and optical, guiding teams from home while collaborating with global stakeholders.

This role offers high-impact projects, generous bonus potential, extensive learning opportunities and a home office setup allowance.

Qualifications

• Extensive expertise in IP networking, routing, MPLS, VPNs, and security.
• Deep knowledge of mobile network architectures (5G core, RAN) and DWDM.
• Experience with SDN/NFV concepts and cloud-native architectures.

Responsibilities

• Define and champion the long-term architectural vision for the network.
• Lead design of core, transport, access and service layers across technologies.
• Analyze performance, scalability, and reliability; translate into blueprints.
• Evaluate new technologies and provide integration recommendations.
• Develop architectural standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering, product and operations teams.
• Provide guidance to network engineering and mentor staff.
• Conduct tech assessments, PoCs, and vendor evaluations.
• Develop and present architectural proposals to leadership.
• Ensure designs meet security and regulatory requirements.

Skills

IP networking

BGP

OSPF

MPLS

VPNs

5G core

RAN

DWDM

SDN/NFV

Kubernetes

Cloud-native

Education

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

Tools

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Join Our client as a Principal Telecom Network Architect in this fully remote position, driving the strategic direction of our advanced telecommunications network infrastructure. We are looking for a highly experienced and innovative architect to lead the design and evolution of our core network systems, ensuring they are robust, scalable, and future-proof. As a remote-first role, you will collaborate with diverse teams, contributing your deep expertise to shape the technological landscape from wherever you are. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of telecommunications and work on challenging, high-impact projects from your home office, supporting our extensive operations that include areas near Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and champion the long-term architectural vision and strategy for the company's telecommunications network.
• Lead the design of complex network solutions, including core, transport, access, and service layers, across various technologies (e.g., 5G, SDN/NFV, IP, Optical).
• Conduct in-depth analysis of network performance, scalability, and reliability requirements, translating them into architectural blueprints.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends, making recommendations for adoption and integration.
• Develop and maintain architectural standards, guidelines, and best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and operations teams to ensure successful implementation of architectural designs.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to network engineering teams.
• Perform technology assessments, proof-of-concepts, and vendor evaluations.
• Develop and present compelling architectural proposals to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensure network designs adhere to security best practices and regulatory compliance requirements.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 15+ years of experience in telecommunications network design and architecture, with a significant portion in architecture roles.
• Deep expertise in IP networking, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), MPLS, VPNs, and network security.
• Extensive knowledge of mobile network architectures (e.g., 5G core, RAN) and optical transport networks (DWDM).
• Proven experience with SDN/NFV concepts and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience with cloud-native architectures and containerization (Kubernetes).
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking abilities.
• Superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence and lead technical discussions across different organizational levels.
• Track record of successfully designing and deploying large-scale, complex network infrastructures.

Benefits

• Highly competitive remuneration package with substantial bonus potential.
• Fully remote work arrangement, providing unparalleled flexibility.
• Generous annual leave allowance and paid time off.
• Significant budget for professional development, including advanced training and certifications.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and innovation labs.
• Home office setup allowance and ongoing IT support.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including private medical insurance.
• Opportunities to shape the future of a major telecommunications network.