Senior Telecommunications Systems Architect

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first

Growth support

Conference access

Remote collaboration tools

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a Senior Telecommunications Systems Architect to lead the architectural vision for global telecom infrastructure in a fully remote role. You will design scalable, reliable systems and guide cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, and product management.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in telecom design, deep knowledge of IP/MPLS/SDN-NFV and 5G, plus strong leadership and communication to drive complex projects in a remote environment.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in telecommunications systems design, architecture, and implementation.
• Extensive knowledge of core network technologies including IP networking, MPLS, SDN/NFV, cloud-native architectures, and wireless technologies (5G).
• Proven experience in designing large-scale, high-availability, distributed telecom systems.
• Strong understanding of network protocols, security, and data center infrastructure.
• Experience with system performance analysis, capacity planning, and optimization.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills for remote, cross-functional work.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fully remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the architecture of telecommunications systems to align with business goals.
• Design high-level and detailed specifications for network solutions and system integrations.
• Evaluate new technologies to enhance network capabilities and efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and product management to translate requirements into designs.
• Provide technical leadership throughout the system development lifecycle.
• Conduct technical reviews, risk assessments and feasibility studies.
• Develop and document architectural standards, patterns and best practices.
• Troubleshoot complex system-level issues and provide expert recommendations.
• Stay current with industry trends, regulatory requirements affecting infrastructure.

Skills

Core network tech

IP Networking

MPLS

SDN/NFV

Cloud-native

5G/Wireless

VMware

Docker

Kubernetes

Education

Master's or Bachelor's in EE/CS/Telecommunications

Tools

VMware

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client, WhatJobs Direct, a leader in the telecommunications sector, is looking for a highly skilled Senior Telecommunications Systems Architect to join our fully remote team. This position, conceptually linked to Welkom, Free State, ZA , allows you to leverage your extensive experience in designing and overseeing complex telecommunication systems from anywhere. You will be responsible for defining the architectural vision, ensuring the scalability, reliability, and performance of our network infrastructure. As a remote-first organization, we value clear communication, proactive problem-solving, and a deep understanding of distributed systems. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of telecommunications technology for a prominent company while enjoying the ultimate flexibility of remote work.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall architecture of telecommunications systems, ensuring alignment with business objectives and technological advancements.
• Design high-level and detailed technical specifications for new network solutions and system integrations.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, platforms, and tools to enhance network capabilities and efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and product management teams to translate requirements into robust architectural designs.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams throughout the system development lifecycle.
• Conduct technical reviews, risk assessments, and feasibility studies for proposed solutions.
• Develop and document architectural standards, best practices, and design patterns.
• Troubleshoot complex system-level issues and provide expert recommendations for resolution.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory requirements impacting telecommunications infrastructure.

Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in telecommunications systems design, architecture, and implementation.
• Extensive knowledge of core network technologies, including IP networking, MPLS, SDN/NFV, cloud-native architectures, and wireless technologies (e.g., 5G).
• Proven experience in designing large-scale, high-availability, and geographically distributed telecommunications systems.
• Strong understanding of network protocols, security principles, and data center infrastructure.
• Experience with system performance analysis, capacity planning, and optimization.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fully remote, collaborative environment.
• Experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, KVM) and containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and an attractive benefits package, reflective of the seniority of this role. As a fully remote position, you gain unparalleled flexibility and the ability to design your own work environment. We provide generous opportunities for professional growth, including support for advanced certifications and conference attendance. Employees have access to top-tier remote collaboration tools and a supportive, experienced team. Our client is committed to fostering innovation and employee well-being, offering a challenging yet rewarding career path in the evolving telecommunications landscape.