Role Summary:

This role is critical to ensuring high network availability, performance, and customer satisfaction. The successful candidate will manage network incidents, configurations, upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives across physical, optical, and logical network layers, supported by OSS/BSS systems.

The Network Operations Engineer will work closely with Engineering and Logical Operations teams while maintaining a high standard of customer communication and service experience.

Responsibilities:

• Manage network trouble tickets end-to-end, ensuring timely resolution and permanent closure

• Respond promptly to incidents to minimise network downtime and customer impact

• Maintain accurate trouble ticket records and incident reports

• Monitor live production networks and customer SLAs

• Conduct scheduled network surveillance and performance activities

• Actively manage and restore services during major network impairments

• Maintain detailed monitoring, surveillance, and performance records

• Configure and support customer network solutions

• Implement customer-specific configuration changes and access control

• Ensure adherence to network standards, policies, and security procedures

• Maintain configuration documentation and incident records

• Plan and implement network upgrades and changes in line with CAB governance

Qualifications Required:

• Grade 12 / Matric

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in technical/engineering, computer related field or equivalent.

• CCNA, CCNP (Advantageous) / JCNCIA, JCNCIP (Advantageous) or equivalent certifications.

• Additional vendor-specific certifications or network management qualifications are a plus.

• MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum) – CECP would be advantageous

Work Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience working in a medium to large organization, with at least 3 years of practical experience in live network operations.

• Experience with managing large-scale production networks on OSS/BSS systems.

• Experience in telecommunications networking with a focus on MPLS and/or DWDM and/or GPON networks

• Proficiency in networking protocols e.g. ERPS, MPLS (VPLS EVPN), BGP, ISIS, QoS, IP multicast, VLANs, QinQ, VRRP, BFD, DCHP, DNS etc.

• Professional knowledge in TCP/IP and other network services required to run complex networks.

• Proven experience in troubleshooting, incident management, and maintaining network performance.

Skills Required:

• Excellent technical skills and proficiency in network management and monitoring tools.

• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., MEF, IEEE, ITU) and knowledge of routing and switching technologies.

• Advanced knowledge of networking equipment from vendors like ADVA, CIENA, JUNIPER, MikroTik, Nokia and others.

• Strong understanding of network protocols and ISP operations, including MAC address management and routing.

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Access).

• Strong communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.

• Strong leadership abilities and a collaborative work style.

• Ability to manage complex projects and teams in a cross-functional environment.