Senior Optical Network Architect — Remote & Equity Options

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Remote work flexibility

Conference attendance budget

Executive health insurance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Optical Network Engineer to join a fully remote engineering team in South Africa. The role focuses on design, deployment, and optimization of high-capacity optical transport networks using DWDM, OTN, and MPLS.

The successful candidate will lead projects remotely, mentor engineers, and ensure network performance and reliability across major clients. You will work on feasibility studies, vendor evaluations, and proof-of-concept trials while shaping network strategy

Qualifications

• 10+ years in optical network design, deployment and operations.
• Expert knowledge of DWDM, OTN, SONET/SDH and MPLS.
• Proficiency with optical transmission systems, amplifiers and test equipment.
• Experience with network simulation and design tools.
• Strong fiber optic physical layer troubleshooting skills.
• Proven experience leading complex projects remotely.

Responsibilities

• Design scalable, resilient optical transport networks using DWDM, OTN, MPLS.
• Plan and deploy new optical infrastructure with capacity planning.
• Analyze performance and optimize existing networks for efficiency.
• Maintain network design docs, standards and best practices.
• Troubleshoot complex issues to minimize downtime.
• Mentor junior engineers and guide technical teams.

Skills

DWDM

OTN

MPLS

SONET/SDH

Network design

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Troubleshooting

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field

Tools

Network simulation tools

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Optical Network Engineer to join a fully remote engineering team in South Africa. The role focuses on design, deployment, and optimization of high-capacity optical transport networks using DWDM, OTN, and MPLS.

The successful candidate will lead projects remotely, mentor engineers, and ensure network performance and reliability across major clients. You will work on feasibility studies, vendor evaluations, and proof-of-concept trials while shaping network strategy