Core Network Lead

Accountabilities:: Technical team leadership: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of approximately five engineers and QA specialists, overseeing sprint planning, task allocation, technical reviews, and delivery across multiple global rollout projects. Engineering standards and processes: Establish engineering best practices, reusable integration templates, automated testing strategies, and standardized technical documentation and handover procedures. Global operator integrations: Lead technical integrations with host mobile network operators across signalling, packet core, voice, and messaging systems. Full MVNO architecture: Own the design, configuration, and implementation of core network components, including subscriber databases (HSS/HLR), packet core infrastructure, signalling routing, and messaging platforms. Signalling and protocol management: Oversee implementation, integration, and troubleshooting across the signalling stack, including Diameter and SS7, ensuring reliable communication between network components. End-to-end service readiness: Ensure the successful delivery of data, voice, and SMS services, covering session management, policy enforcement, data routing, VoLTE, legacy circuit-switched voice, and international interconnections. Mobile number portability: Design and validate number portability routing solutions that comply with country-specific regulatory requirements and enable reliable call routing. Regulatory compliance: Ensure compliance with telecommunications regulations in each market, including lawful interception requirements under ETSI ES 201 671 and TS 102 232, HI1/HI2/HI3 interfaces, and emergency service routing such as E112, 911, and 999. Quality assurance and testing: Collaborate with QA specialists to define and execute integration test plans, stress tests, and acceptance testing, ensuring systems meet performance, reliability, and operational requirements. Operational readiness and handover: Lead Operational Readiness Reviews and ensure newly deployed systems are thoroughly tested, documented, and transferred to the 24/7 operations team under the Build-to-Run model. Continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to improve integration efficiency, automation, network reliability, and delivery processes across concurrent rollout initiatives. Requirements: Mobile core experience: At least five years of hands-on experience working with mobile core networks, including the design, implementation, integration, or operation of telecommunications infrastructure. Technical leadership: At least two years of experience leading engineers and/or QA specialists in an agile, project-based, or delivery-focused environment. Packet and voice core expertise: Strong working knowledge of packet core and voice core technologies, including HSS/HLR subscriber databases, policy and charging systems, VoLTE, and legacy circuit-switched voice. Signalling protocols: In-depth knowledge of Diameter, SS7, and SIP, with practical experience troubleshooting and integrating signalling systems. Messaging architecture: Experience with SMS architecture, routing, and interworking with other mobile network operators. MVNO integration: Understanding of Full MVNO architectures, host operator integrations, and the technical requirements for launching mobile services across multiple markets. Regulatory knowledge: Familiarity with telecommunications compliance requirements, mobile number portability, lawful interception, and emergency service routing across different jurisdictions. Delivery and project management: Proven ability to coordinate multiple concurrent rollout streams, prioritize technical work, and deliver complex integrations within agreed timelines. Quality and operational readiness: Experience with integration testing, stress testing, acceptance testing, technical documentation, and structured handovers to operational teams. Communication and collaboration: Strong communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to coordinate effectively with engineering, QA, and operations stakeholders in an international environment. Automation and DevOps experience (preferred): Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code tools such as Terraform or Ansible, containerization with Docker or Kubernetes, and automated signalling test frameworks. Vendor experience (preferred): Hands-on experience with core MVNO vendors such as Nokia, Ericsson, Mavenir, Oracle Communications, Cisco, Summa Networks, NetNumber, or XIUS. Cloud and virtualization (preferred): Experience with cloud-native or virtualized network functions running on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, or private cloud infrastructure. Educational background (preferred): A degree in telecommunications engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline. Benefits: Competitive salary: Annual compensation varies by country, reflecting local market conditions and cost of living. The advertised ranges are: United Kingdom: £89,600–£128,800 Ireland: €76,800–€110,400 Western and Southern Europe: €50,800–€116,117 Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus: €53,851–€88,291 Location-based compensation: Your specific salary will depend on your country of residence, experience, and suitability for the role. Compensation expectations can be discussed during the initial recruitment conversation. Fully remote work: Work remotely from supported European locations, with flexibility to organize your working environment. Permanent, full-time employment: A long-term opportunity to lead critical telecommunications infrastructure initiatives and contribute to global connectivity. International collaboration: Work with a distributed team of professionals across multiple countries and contribute to services used by travelers worldwide. Technical ownership: Take responsibility for major network integrations, architecture decisions, and engineering delivery standards. Professional development: Expand your expertise in Full MVNO systems, mobile core technologies, automation, and global telecommunications infrastructure. Autonomy and trust: Work in an environment that emphasizes ownership, independent decision-making, and results rather than unnecessary bureaucracy. Growth opportunities: Develop your leadership capabilities and help scale engineering practices as the business expands. Inclusive working environment: Join an international organization that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.