Head of Network Optimization

8+ years of experience

Europe

Fulltime, remote

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Head of Network Optimization to establish and lead the Network Optimization function within a global telecommunications environment.

In this role, you will be responsible for driving operational excellence, service assurance, and continuous improvement across mobile core network services. You will lead a team focused on proactive monitoring, performance optimization, incident management, and root cause analysis to ensure network reliability, scalability, and an excellent customer experience.

Working closely with Network Engineering, Operations, Product, Software Engineering, and other cross-functional teams, you will help define operational standards, improve service performance, and contribute to the evolution of the network architecture.

Responsibilities

Build, lead, mentor, and develop the Network Optimization team.
Monitor, analyze, and report on network performance, KPIs, and trends to identify bottlenecks and continuously improve service quality.
Proactively detect, investigate, and resolve network and service issues before they impact customers.
Lead the resolution of major network incidents and service outages across multiple core network domains.
Own the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) process, ensuring corrective and preventive actions are tracked and implemented.
Define and continuously improve operational processes, vendor management, service management, and operational governance.
Develop and maintain operational procedures, recovery plans, and best practices for efficient service restoration.
Oversee the deployment, integration, and operational acceptance of new core network elements, features, and software upgrades.
Execute traffic management and network optimization activities to ensure network stability, resilience, and service performance.
Contribute to solution architecture and network design from an operational perspective, ensuring reliability, resilience, maintainability, and scalability.
Collaborate with Engineering, Product, Operations, and business teams to improve network performance and customer experience.
Ensure Network Optimization activities are delivered on time and aligned with business priorities.
Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation.

Requirements

Location: Remote within Europe, with the ability to travel to the Lisbon office when required.
8+ years of experience in the telecommunications industry, focused on the design, implementation, optimization, or operation of mobile core networks.
Previous experience leading technical teams or network operations.
Strong understanding of mobile network architectures across 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G.
Proven experience with MVNO architectures, roaming, and the mobile core ecosystem.
Strong knowledge of networking principles, IP technologies, and security concepts.
Hands-on experience with telecom protocols, including SIGTRAN, Diameter, SCTP, GTP, MAP, CAMEL, and SIP.
Solid expertise in LTE, IMS, VoLTE, VoWiFi, 5G, and IP-based technologies.
Experience with cloud-native solutions, virtualization technologies, and modern telecom infrastructure.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret network KPIs and identify performance issues.
Proven experience in troubleshooting, incident management, and Root Cause Analysis.
Experience with network monitoring, observability, and performance management tools.
Experience with automation, scripting, and data-driven operational improvements.
Proactive, results-oriented mindset with strong ownership and attention to detail.
Experience working in multicultural and geographically distributed teams.
Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
Professional proficiency in English.

Nice to Have

Knowledge of ITIL, Service Management, or Operational Excellence frameworks.
Strong business acumen with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
Experience working in cross-functional environments involving Product, Engineering, Operations, and Commercial teams.

What We Offer

Opportunity to build and lead a new Network Optimization function with significant ownership and strategic impact.
Work on a modern, large-scale international mobile network platform.
Collaborative and multicultural engineering environment.
Exposure to cutting-edge telecom technologies and cloud-native infrastructure.
Professional development and career growth opportunities.
Competitive compensation package.