Head, Active Networks & Engineering

Job title : Head, Active Networks & Engineering

Job Summary

• The Head, Active Networks & Engineering is responsible for leading the planning, engineering, deployment, optimisation and evolution of NTEL’s Active Network infrastructure. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across Mobile Access, Fixed Wireless Access and Fixed Access Networks, ensuring that network investments support the Company’s commercial objectives, technology roadmap and long-term growth strategy. The role serves as the principal engineering authority for Active Networks within the Chief Technology & Innovation Office (CTIO), providing technical leadership across engineering teams, strategic programmes, technology partners and vendors. The position is accountable for engineering governance, network performance, technology evolution and the successful delivery of major network transformation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Active Network Engineering

• Lead engineering activities across Mobile Access, Fixed Wireless Access and Fixed Access Networks.
• Oversee network planning, design, deployment, integration and optimisation activities.
• Approve engineering designs, implementation methodologies and technical documentation.
• Ensure engineering standards and best practices are consistently applied across all network deployments.
• Support the evolution of NTEL’s access network technologies.

Network Planning & Expansion

• Develop network expansion and capacity plans aligned with business objectives.
• Lead rollout planning for new sites, coverage expansion and service launches.
• Identify network bottlenecks and recommend expansion initiatives.
• Ensure efficient utilisation of network infrastructure and engineering resources.
• Support strategic planning for future network growth.

Strategic Programme Delivery Provide engineering leadership across strategic initiatives including:

• National Roaming Programme
• Project NOVA
• Air Fiber Expansion
• Fixed Network Expansion
• Enterprise Connectivity Solutions
• Future Network Technologies Responsibilities include:
• Technical solution validation
• Engineering approvals
• Design reviews
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Acceptance testing
• Deployment governance

IP & Wholesale Network Integration

• Provide engineering oversight for the integration of Active Networks with NTEL’s Carrier IP and Transport Network.
• Work closely with the Manager, IP & Datacom Networks to deliver scalable Layer 2 wholesale services and enterprise connectivity solutions.
• Ensure Active Network designs support current and future broadband, wholesale and enterprise service requirements.
• Support the engineering integration of Data Centres, Internet Transit and Carrier Ethernet services with the Active Network.

Network Performance & Optimisation

• Drive continuous improvement of network quality, customer experience and engineering performance.
• Lead network optimisation initiatives to improve coverage, capacity, accessibility, retainability and throughput.
• Oversee feature implementation, network benchmarking and performance improvement programmes.
• Review network KPIs and implement engineering actions to achieve agreed service targets.
• Promote engineering best practices through proactive performance analysis and continuous optimisation.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Manage technical relationships with equipment vendors, technology partners and system integrators.
• Review technical proposals and engineering solutions.
• Support technical evaluations, acceptance testing and solution validation.
• Monitor vendor technical performance and ensure compliance with engineering standards.
• Serve as the primary engineering interface between NTEL and strategic technology partners.

Technology Standards & Governance

• Establish engineering standards, policies and design principles.
• Develop and maintain network engineering guidelines and documentation.
• Review technical risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with internal engineering governance and industry best practices.
• Promote continuous improvement in engineering quality and delivery.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop engineering managers, specialists and project teams.
• Build a culture of technical excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Identify capability gaps and develop technical succession plans.
• Promote innovation, knowledge sharing and engineering best practices.
• Foster collaboration across Engineering, Operations, Commercial and Enterprise teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical/Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Master’s Degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in telecommunications engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years in a senior engineering leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, deploying and optimising carrier-grade mobile and fixed access networks.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams and strategic transformation programmes.
• Strong understanding of mobile, broadband and wholesale telecommunications networks.