Principal Specialist: E2E Network Assurance

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Role Purpose/Business Unit:

As a Principal Specialist, you will leverage your expert knowledge within the end2end technology environment, to development, and drive innovation and excellence within the organization. Your role will involve leading the strategic development of new technologies, optimizing existing systems, and ensuring seamless integration and performance across the technology landscape. In addition, expertise across the mobile network value chain, including RAN, Transmission, Core, IMS, CDN and User Equipment. Leadership acumen and technical expertise will be crucial in shaping the future of our technology infrastructure, driving improvements, and maintaining our competitive edge in the industry.

Your responsibilities will include:
• Provide leadership in the development and integration of new technologies within the E2E environment. Design and implement strategies to incorporate cutting-edge solutions into the existing technology, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry best practices.
• Provide expert technical guidance and support across various technology domains. Lead complex technical discussions, troubleshoot advanced issues, and provide solutions that align with organizational objectives. Adoption of global best practice for optimal network performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex technical challenges and drive technology optimization. Facilitate knowledge transfer and support teams in understanding and implementing new technologies and methodologies.
• Monitor, analyse, innovate the performance of newly deployed technologies. Identify areas for improvement, develop optimization strategies, and implement solutions to enhance overall technology performance and efficiency.
• Provide recommendations to streamline service assurance processes and identify gaps and opportunities to assist network performance.
• Evaluate and manage the optimal hosting environment for all ANE Servers, including support and maintenance, for each service based on performance, security, and cost considerations.
• As principal, the candidate is expected to provide continuous upskilling engineering team members and cross-functional team within the mobile protocol area or expertise.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:
• 8-10 years of mobile network experience.
• 3 year Degree/ Diploma
• Field of study in Electrical/ Electronics/ Computer Science/ Information Technology, or equivalent engineering/ technical qualifications.

Core competencies, knowledge, and experience:
• Knowledgeable in advanced technical analysis, including protocol analysis (RANAP, TCP, UDP, SIP, etc.), network architecture, and optimization across both voice and data. Skilled in utilizing various tools and methodologies for performance monitoring and troubleshooting across the E2E environment.
• Expertise in End2End network architecture & design with attention towards optimization, and best practice guides for newly deployed network elements. Lead technology innovation and strategic development initiatives.
• Utilising multiple data sources, to drive improved voice and data network performance, including customer experience. Understanding of Drive test, Crowd, methodologies and KPIs. Demonstrating proficient in scripting and designing test cases. Skilled in Deep Dive E2E Failure analyses.
• Innovate and manage technology-related costs and resources. Ability to develop cost-effective solutions and ensure efficient use of resources.
• Monitor new software upgrades and deployments. Excellent analytical, technical, and problem- solving skills, with high-levels of creativity.
• End2End Cross Functional Support, to Regions, Core, CDN in terms of in-depth network analyses, to accelerate fault resolution. Lead and manage escalations with e2e environments. Recommend new methodologies to build systems for network monitoring and troubleshooting.
• Knowledgeable on New technologies, being deployed - 5G-NR, IoT within the end2end environment. Understanding of protocol level interworking and problem solving.
• Evaluate new probing tools to aid in monitoring, optimizing, and automating, early warning, detection, and degradation. Be able to grasp new concepts with ease and support new product launch where necessary.
• Commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies. Ability to quickly grasp new concepts and adapt to evolving technology landscapes.

We make an impact by offering:
• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies

Closing date for Applications: 20 April 2026.

The base location for this role is Midrand, Vodacom Campus.

The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.