Cloud & Core Design Head

**Position Objective:**To work as Program Manager for Core and Cloud design in a leading telecom operator, providing consultancy leadership to plan and orchestrate workstreams aligned with architectural strategy and business priorities.

Job Description & Responsibilities:

• Lead designing future and existing mobile core and telco cloud infrastructure to host voice, data, VAS and core control services.
• Ensure expediting the transformation, modernization and migrations of mobile core & telco cloud services in line to the emerging technologies and industry evolution.
• Drive the capacity and performance related expansions for the various components of mobile core & telco cloud infrastructure and services.
• Lead translation of core and telco cloud infrastructure deployment plan to specific design activities.
• Guide preparation and evaluation of RFX, RFIs, RFPs and RFQs for mobile core and telco cloud infrastructure and services, according to the yearly business demands.
• Ensure expanding core & telco cloud infrastructure to cater Data, Voice, VAS, and Control services requirements based on annual growth and business objectives.
• Validate network architecture evolution and technology strategy roadmap.
• Guide development of required technical capabilities to support 5G standalone core, network slicing, private networks and edge use cases.
• Align design activities for Core infrastructure domains including 5G Core, EPC, IMS, UDC, DRA/DEA/STP/ISTP, MSC/MGW, IPX, Wifi Core, DPI, VAS services and consolidation platform.
• Design business continuity, multi-level resilience and disaster recovery plans for Core & Cloud infrastructure and services, meeting Business Continuity and Risk Management requirements.
• Align design activities for telco cloud including Infrastructure, Hypervisor, VIM, CISM, VNFMs, CNFMs, NFVO, DC SDN, WAN solutions, load balancers, network cards, along with various management and automation tools.
• Ensure compliance with technical standards and guidelines.
• Guide POCs and proposals on emerging cloud and core infrastructure technologies.
• Lead validation of technical solutions from vendors and the use of latest technologies and functional capabilities in compliance with regulations.
• Ensure proper approvals of Technical Specifications documentation including HLD, LLD, Integration Specs and Solution Documents.
• Align efficient engagement with cybersecurity and data protection for incorporating the relevant security requirements and guidelines into core & telco cloud infrastructure and services design.
• Drive the effective communication and coordination with internal and external stakeholders to guarantee full alignment.
• Ensure release schedule development and management to guarantee smooth and efficient LCM.
• Ensure all required test cases are aligned between Telco Cloud and VNF/CNF Design teams, and proactive VNFs/CNFs on-boarding testing and certification.

Qualifications & Experience:* Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field from a reputable university.

• Proven project management skills with strong coordination and stakeholder engagement
• Proficiency in virtualization, networking, storage, and container orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker).
• Experience with programming/scripting (Python, Bash, PowerShell) for automation.
• Experience with Zero Trust and Security-by-Design architecture principles.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP, VMware, RHCE, or Kubernetes) are an added advantage.
• Strong growth mindset, analytical thinking, and ability to work in dynamic environments.