Senior Manager - Fixed Network Planning and IP Core Architecture

MTN; Roodepoort; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

MTN Group is seeking a Senior Manager for Fixed Network Planning and IP Core Architecture. You will act as the technical authority across Transport, Transmission and IP architecture, defining standards, reference architectures and planning for resilience, cost efficiency, and evolution across MTN’s operating environment.

You will guide OpCos on architecture governance, investment decisions and vendor evaluations while enabling automation-ready, AI-enabled networks aligned with MTN Ambition 2030.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 year tertiary degree (B.Sc. Electronic / Electrical / Telecommunications Engineering) or equivalent such as B-Tech.
• M.Sc. Eng. (Telecommunications) – advantageous.
• Professional Engineer or recognized engineering registration – advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Transport and Transmission Strategy Support.
• Architecture and Technology Evolution.
• Network Planning, Resilience and Performance.
• Automation and AI Architecture Enablement.
• Investment, Commercial and Vendor Decision Support.
• Technical Authority, Standards and OpCo Enablement.

Skills

IP/MPLS Core

Optical Transport

Satellite Transmission

Submarine Systems

International Connectivity

Education

B.Sc. Electronic / Electrical / Telecommunications Engineering

B-Tech

M.Sc. Eng. (Telecommunications) – advantageous

Professional Engineer registration – advantageous

Job description

We at MTN Group are a purpose and value led organization.

At MTN Group, we believe that understanding our people’s needs and aspirations is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, everyday. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Y’ello Family is heard, understood and empowered to live an inspired life.

Our values keep us grounded and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, they keep us honest. It is not something we claim to be. It is in our DNA.

As an organisation, we consider it our mission to create an exciting and rewarding place to work, where our people can be themselves, thrive in positivity and ignite their full potential. A workplace that boosts creativity and innovation, improves productivity, and ultimately drives meaningful results. A workplace that is built on relationships and achieving a purpose that is bigger than us. This is what we want you to experience with us!

Our commitments go beyond an organisational promise. It is in our leadership and managerial ethos to meaningfully partner with our employees, customers and stakeholders with a vision to realise our shared goals.

We are delighted that you are considering us as your career partner to make a mark in the world. We look forward to your application!

About the Role:

As the Senior Manager - Fixed Network Planning and IP Core Architecture, you will serve as MTN Group’s principal technical authority for Transport, Transmission and IP Architecture, providing specialist expertise across fibre, optical transmission, IP/MPLS, international and submarine capacity, satellite connectivity, peering, transit and content interconnection. You will be responsible for developing technical standards, reference architectures and network planning recommendations that strengthen network resilience, improve cost and operational efficiency, and support technology evolution across MTN’s operating environment. You will also provide authoritative technical guidance to OpCos and support the evolution of software-defined, automation-ready and AI-enabled Transport networks, translating deep engineering expertise into measurable customer, operational and financial outcomes aligned with MTN Ambition 2030.

Key Responsibilities:

• Transport and Transmission Strategy Support
• Architecture and Technology Evolution
• Network Planning, Resilience and Performance
• Automation and AI Architecture Enablement
• Investment, Commercial and Vendor Decision Support
• Technical Authority, Standards and OpCo Enablement

What We’re Looking For:

Education:

• Minimum of 4 year tertiary degree (B.Sc. Electronic / Electrical / Telecommunications Engineering) or equivalent qualification such as B-Tech
• M.Sc. Eng. (Telecommunications) – advantageous
• Professional Engineer or recognized engineering registration(advantageous)

Experience:

• Minimum 5-10 years Network Planning, Design and Performance Management experience, coupled with supervising / managing others OR
• Minimum 5 years in relevant experienceTelecommunications network planning, architecture, engineering or technology strategy.
• Minimum 5 years Project and Program Management experience, in a Telco / ICT environment
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in senior technical leadership, principal architect, or group-level planning role.
• Demonstrated experience providing architecture governance inputs, investment decision support, technology transformation recommendations and technical vendor evaluations within delegated authority.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least three of the following domains:
• IP/MPLS Core
• Optical Transport / DWDM
• Microwave Transport
• Satellite Transmission
• Submarine Systems
• International Connectivity
• Demonstrated leadership across multi-country or multi-market telecommunications environments.
• Experience in working across diverse cultures and geographies (advantageous)
• Experience working in a small to medium ICT / Telecommunications organisation
• Conceptual Thinker, Problem Solver, Improvement Driver
• Culture and Change Champion, Supportive People Manager, Leads through influence, Mobilizes virtual and cross-functional teams, Relationship Manager
• Results Achiever, Operationally Astute

If you're passionate about shaping the future of Transport and IP networks, strengthening network resilience, and driving the evolution of intelligent, automation-ready network architectures, this is your opportunity.

Join us in shaping MTN Group’s next generation of Transport, Transmission and IP architecture, while enabling resilient, efficient and future-ready connectivity across our operating environment.

Closing date: 23 October 2026

Disclaimer:

MTN Group is an equal opportunity employer with an imperative and obligation to achieve its own set EE targets and the legislated Employment Equity targets. Preference will first be given to previously disadvantaged individuals/groups with a specific focus on females and differently abled persons.

If you have not heard from us within 14 days of closure of this job advert, then you can assume your application has been unsuccessful.