ABOUT US
We’re building Tomorrow’s Connections Today, bringing people together through the power of our technology.
Liberty Global is a world leader in converged broadband, video and mobile communications and an active investor in cutting-edge infrastructure, content and technology ventures.
With our investments in fibre-based and 5G networks we play a vital role in society, currently providing over 85 million fixed and mobile connections and rolling out the next generation of products and services, while readying our networks for 10 Gbps and beyond.
We’re creating national champions, combining the best broadband and mobile networks under brands such as Virgin Media-02 in the UK, VodafoneZiggo in The Netherlands, Telenet in Belgium, Sunrise in Switzerland, Virgin Media in Ireland and UPC in Slovakia.
Liberty Global Ventures, our global investment arm, has a portfolio of more than 75 companies and funds across content, technology and infrastructure, including strategic stakes in ITV, Univision, Plume, Lionsgate and the Formula E racing series.
Our scale enables us to transfer knowledge and expertise across our operations and investments, creating a dynamic family of brands united in the pursuit of innovation and excellence.
And we’re prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace and communities, while reducing our impact on the environment. We are using technology as a force for good; for our people, our partners and the planet.
JOB PURPOSE
Reporting to the Senior Manager Core Network Architecture the Optical Network Architect will be responsible for creating network architectures, developing and contributing to the roadmap, and introducing the latest technologies and solutions to the organisation. The Optical Network Architect is driving innovation and seeking out standard process solutions, supporting business priorities and objectives. You will act as the technical lead for the projects to drive its architecture towards concrete solutions. This person collaborates with other teams, and operating entities.
This role will be responsible for quality, delivery timelines and continuous improvement activities across the applicable network domains.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. The Architecture team member will define high-quality principles, services, standards and creative/innovative solutions
2. Responsible for adhering to the Optical Network Strategy in collaboration with the Strategy team, partner and customer groups (3-5 year plan)
3. Develop, maintain and communicate technology blueprints
4. Work with multi-disciplinary engineering staff to understand and implement feature requirements for optical designs
5. Perform testing at the component and subsystem level to ensure proper hardware operation in a variety of optical environments
6. Test optical features and system-level issues
7. Provides a leading role in technology selection and technical vendor management
8. Conducting proof of concepts and development of new technology trough LAB / POC validation of new technology for network solutions
9. Creating new technical standards by which all solutions will be measured, ensure quality and lead initiatives to improve customer experience
10. Provide an architectural steer for major business projects
11. Responsible for delivering architectures, blueprints, technology solutions across Liberty Global and Opco’s
12. Working with Strategy to proactively engage with industry forums, standards organisations, vendors and Cloud Providers to drive standards and lead innovation
13. Engages across multiple functions, both business and technical, to ensure services consistently match needs and expectations
14. Comfortable in engaging with senior management to VP level
15. Ensures accurate insight and analysis, together with progress reporting and communication
16. Deliver documentation and present options and rationale to enable peers to make decisions
ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:
17. Experience working experience with sophisticated network designs/architectures
18. Proven track record to guide and shape employee experience using technology as a critical enabler
19. Ability to be credible at all levels of the organization. Our partners and opinion formers are at every level of the organization and it is essential that we listen to them all
20. Proven experience simplifying enhancing service experiences for customers
21. Experience in telecommunications network and system verification
22. Experience with DWDM optical system design and test
23. Experience with optical test equipment including Optical Spectrum Analysers, Bit Error Rate test sets, and optical power meters, and relevant signal testers
24. Knowledge of DWDM system architecture and design
DESIRABLE SKILLS & ABILITIES:
25. Effective influencing and negotiation skills in an environment where resources required for success may not be in direct control of this role
26. Good communication and documentation skills
27. Ability to work independently and also work effectively within a team
28. Programming skills (Python, Java, SQL)
29. Technologies: DWDM, CWDM, SONET, OTN, Ethernet, IP, MPLS
30. Equipment: ROADM, OXC, EDFA, Raman Amplifiers, Amplifiers, OEO-OXC
31. Software Tools: Jenkins, Ansible
32. Use of Jira
33. Experience with Optical network planning tool
34. Strong communication, collaboration, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
35. Superb verbal and written communications are required to work and speak optimally across internal and external organizations and virtual multi-functional teams.
36. Ability to see the big picture and make a distinction between main and side issues
37. Ability to create architectural coherence and complete architecture
38. Strong record of domain ownership and acting as a technical lead with respect to domain architecture who can act as a technical inspiring leader for engineers.
39. Strong technical expertise on Optical transport technologies
40. Working experience with optical network management system
41. Familiar with ZR/ZR+/XR based solutions for IP and Optical interworking
42. Know third parties integration solution for optical networks (e.g. OLS, disaggregated solution…)
43. Know YANG data modelling language in the context of Openconfig
44. Know Network Configuration Protocol (NETCONF)
45. Must have working experience in commissioning, testing, development and integration of optical networks
46. Experience in network automation domain, i.e. RPA/DPA and BPM and in particularBPMN2.0.
47. Experience with scripting languages like Python (preferred), Perl / Shell (Linux / Unix).
48. Experience with REST/RESTCONF APIs
49. Network security know how (e.g. vulnerability scanning tools, cybersecurity concepts…)
50. Familiar with agile way of working
51. Able to spot market trends, opportunities and threats
52. Excellent interpersonal skills will be needed in order to build strong, cooperative internal and external relationships across all levels and geographies
53. Great listener able to understand the other persons perspectives and needs, enabling strong partnerships
54. Strong written and oral communication
55. Highly self-motivated and objective driven individual continuously keeping the end goal in mind
56. Capable of standing up for their values and objectives whilst selling or developing their ambitions
57. Adaptable with the ability to successfully deal with and sort through ambiguity
58. Organised and professional approach to work with enough flexibility to pivot when change is required
PREFERRED EDUCATION/ QUALIFICATIONS:
59. Strong academics, demonstrectual curiosity and problem solving in sophisticated environments
60. Degree in engineering, IT, maths, business or other subject showing analytical capabilities
61. Bachelor's degree in Computer science/engineering or related field, or equivalent work experience required
* Liberty Global is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our people. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process. We’re 100% committed to having a workforce that represents every part of our society. So we’re keen to hear from candidates of all background and circumstances.
Benefits:
62. Competitive salary + Bonus
63. 25 days annual leave with the option to purchase 5 more
64. Free access to LinkedIn Learning & Coursera to continue to develop and grow your career with us
65. Company Pension Contributions
66. Access to our car benefit scheme (UK only)
67. Access to wellbeing and mental health benefits such as the Calm app, personal medical, critical illness cover and dental insurance (UK only)
68. Free premium subscription to Calm – a renowned well-being & meditation app (NL only)
69. Free public transport subscription that can be used for both work and leisure travel on all modes of public transport, anywhere in the Netherlands (NL only)
70. Subsidy on health insurance premium (NL only)
71. Company Laptop, Mobile and Phone Subscription (NL only)