Principal Telecommunications Systems Engineer

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive benefits

Bonus potential

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Industry leadership opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Telecommunications Systems Engineer in Pretoria to lead architectural design and strategic development of large-scale telecom systems. You will define technical roadmaps, evaluate emerging technologies, and guide engineering teams through system lifecycles.

The role requires 12+ years in telecom systems, deep knowledge of 4G/5G, IP networking and cloud-native architectures, plus strong leadership and communication skills to engage with senior management.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications or related field.
• 12+ years in telecommunications systems engineering with architectural design experience.
• Expertise in 4G/5G, IP networking, VoIP and cloud-native architectures.
• Strong network protocols, signaling and integration knowledge.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and project management abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to engage exec and technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and technical strategy for large-scale telecom systems.
• Define system requirements, feasibility studies and evaluate new tech.
• Develop detailed system designs, integration plans and specs.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to engineering teams.
• Collaborate with product, operations and business stakeholders.
• Oversee implementation and ensure design adherence.
• Analyze performance and drive root-cause resolution.
• Represent company in tech forums and standards bodies.

Skills

Architectural design

Technical leadership

Strategic planning

Mentorship

Communication

Education

Master's/PhD in EE

Tools

IP Networking

VoIP

Cloud-native

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading force in the telecommunications sector, driving innovation in network services and infrastructure. We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Telecommunications Systems Engineer to join our team in Pretoria. This role is critical for leading the architectural design and strategic development of complex telecommunications systems. You will be responsible for defining the technical roadmap, evaluating emerging technologies, and ensuring the seamless integration of diverse systems to meet evolving business and customer demands. This position requires a deep technical understanding of various telecom domains, strong analytical skills, and the ability to provide technical leadership and guidance to engineering teams. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of telecommunications infrastructure in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and technical strategy for large-scale telecommunications systems, encompassing mobile, fixed-line, and emerging technologies.
• Define system requirements, conduct feasibility studies, and evaluate new technologies for potential adoption.
• Develop detailed system designs, integration plans, and performance specifications.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to engineering teams throughout the system lifecycle.
• Collaborate with product management, operations, and business stakeholders to align technical solutions with strategic objectives for Pretoria operations.
• Oversee the implementation and deployment of new systems, ensuring adherence to design specifications and quality standards.
• Analyze system performance, identify root causes of issues, and drive resolution of complex technical problems.
• Represent the company in technical forums and contribute to industry standards development.

Requirements

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related discipline.
• 12+ years of extensive experience in telecommunications systems engineering, with a proven track record in architectural design.
• Deep expertise in mobile network technologies (e.g., 4G/LTE, 5G), IP networking, VoIP, and cloud-native architectures.
• Strong understanding of network protocols, signalling, and system integration principles.
• Experience with system performance analysis, capacity planning, and optimization techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects and mentor engineering staff.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of engaging with senior management and technical audiences.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive executive benefits package.
• Significant annual bonus potential based on company and individual performance.
• Opportunity to lead strategic initiatives in a dynamic telecom environment.
• Access to advanced training and professional development programs.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.
• Be a key architect shaping the future of telecommunications technology in Pretoria.