Role Summary:

The Logical Network Operations Engineer (OPS Engineer) is responsible for the end-to-end operational management of the live production network. This role ensures high network availability, performance, and service quality across optical, core, aggregation, and access layers, supported by OSS/BSS environments.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure continuous uptime and availability of the live production network.

• Develop and implement controls across core, aggregation, and access layers.

• Monitor and optimize network performance to meet internal and customer SLAs.

• Verify network designs and ensure readiness for live production.

• Support the acquisition, deployment, and integration of network equipment and OSS/BSS systems.

• Ensure network scalability and performance align with business requirements.

• Manage escalated incidents and major outages, ensuring rapid restoration.

• Identify and mitigate network break-offs, failures, and single points of failure (SPOF).

• Work with third-party vendors and service providers to resolve complex issues.

• Oversee network changes and upgrades through formal change control (CAB).

• Ensure configuration management follows industry best practices and security standards.

• Minimise customer impact during planned and unplanned changes.

• Implement and maintain network surveillance and monitoring processes.

• Proactively identify performance degradation and capacity constraints.

• Ensure monitoring systems meet SLA and reporting requirements.

• Verify customer orders and ensure timely, SLA-compliant service delivery.

• Support customer service teams to maintain high service quality levels.

• Enforce operational governance and compliance with internal policies and industry standards.

• Ensure alignment with MEF, IEEE, ITU, and other relevant frameworks.

• Implement and audit access control and network security policies across network, OSS, and BSS environments.

• Produce regular network health, uptime, incident, and performance reports.

• Maintain accurate documentation, configurations, and operational procedures.

• Provide transparent reporting to internal stakeholders and customers.

• Work closely with architects, design engineers, and operations teams.

• Contribute to long-term network strategy and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Mentor junior engineers where required.

Qualifications Required:

• Grade 12 / Matric

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical, engineering, or computer-related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) / JCNCIP 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 10 years of experience working in a medium to large organization, with at least 5 years of practical experience in live network operations.

• Minimum 2 years of experience with managing large-scale production networks and OSS/BSS systems.

• Minimum 2 years of experience in telecommunications networking with a focus on MPLS, DWDM and/or GPON networks

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

• 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, Nokia and others.

• Strong understanding of network protocols and ISP operations, including Layer 2 and Layer 3.

• 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.

• Ability to work under pressure.