At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to build and integrate Full MVNO systems for global markets.
- Company: Join Airalo, the world's first eSIM store, making travel easier for millions.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic, remote work environment with a focus on trust and ownership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the future of travel with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in mobile core networks and 2+ years leading engineering teams.
The predicted salary is between 89600 - 128800 £ per year.
Help Us Build The Future of Travel. At Airalo, we're making it easier for people to stay connected wherever they travel. As the world's first eSIM store, we help millions of travelers access affordable mobile data in 200+ countries and regions around the world. Today, we're a team of 400+ people across 60+ countries, building a product used by travelers every day. We've grown quickly, but we've worked hard to keep what matters: trust, ownership, and the freedom for people to do great work without unnecessary layers or bureaucracy. We're fully remote by design, genuinely global, and united by a shared mission to make travel simpler for everyone.
Your Next Destination:
- Location: Remote.
- Contract: Full-time, permanent.
- Languages: English is our main working language day to day, so you'll need to be comfortable communicating in it both in meetings and async.
We are looking for a highly skilled, hands-on Technical Team Lead to lead the global build and technical integration of Full MVNO systems. In this role, you will lead a dedicated Build Team responsible for architecting, integrating, testing, and commissioning end-to-end Full MVNO capabilities across global markets. Operating under a Build-to-Run model, you and your team will build new MVNO capabilities and host MNO integrations from the ground up, execute rigorous testing, and hand over stable, operational systems to a dedicated Run team after launch. This role is ideal for someone with deep technical expertise in Mobile Core networks across voice, VoLTE, data, and SMS, strong knowledge of telecommunications regulations, and experience leading engineering and QA teams.
What You'll Do:
- Lead, mentor and manage a team of around five engineers and QA specialists, owning sprint planning, task allocation and technical reviews across concurrent global rollout streams.
- Establish engineering best practices, integration templates, automated testing strategy and technical handover standards.
- Lead technical integrations with host mobile network operators globally, across signalling, packet core, voice and messaging.
- Own the architecture and setup of Full MVNO core components, from the subscriber database (HSS/HLR) through packet core, signalling routing and messaging platforms.
- Direct implementation and troubleshooting across the signalling stack, including Diameter and SS7.
- Own end-to-end service readiness across data, voice and SMS, covering session management, policy enforcement, data routing, VoLTE, legacy circuit-switched voice and international interconnects.
- Design and validate mobile number portability routing in line with country-specific regulatory frameworks.
- Own regulatory compliance for each market, covering lawful interception (ETSI ES 201 671 / TS 102 232, HI1/HI2/HI3) and emergency service routing such as e112, 911 and 999.
- Partner with QA on integration test plans, stress testing and acceptance testing, then drive Operational Readiness Reviews and clean documented handovers to the 24/7 Run team after launch.
What You'll Bring:
- 5+ years hands-on in mobile core networks.
- 2+ years leading a team of engineers and/or QA specialists in an agile or delivery-focused environment.
- Strong working knowledge of both packet core and voice core, including the subscriber database (HSS/HLR), policy and charging, VoLTE and legacy circuit-switched voice.
- Expertise across the signalling stack, including Diameter, SS7 and SIP.
- Experience with messaging architecture and SMS routing, including interworking with other operators.
- Strong delivery mindset across multiple concurrent rollout streams, with clear communication and the ability to produce documentation good enough to hand a system over on.
- Nice to have Automation experience: CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code (Terraform, Ansible), containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes) or automated signalling test frameworks.
- Hands-on with core MVNO vendors such as Nokia, Ericsson, Mavenir, Oracle Communications, Cisco, Summa Networks, NetNumber or XIUS.
- Cloud-native or virtualised network functions on AWS, Azure, GCP or private cloud.
- Degree in telecommunications engineering, computer science, electrical engineering or similar.
At Airalo, we believe in roaming-free recruitment. Just as we provide clear connectivity for travelers, we provide clear salary ranges for our candidates. This role is remote and open to candidates across our supported locations in Europe. The range below reflects the full salary range for this role across the countries where it's available:
- UK: £89,600 – £128,800
- Ireland: €76,800 – €110,400
- Western & Southern Europe: €50,800 – €116,117
- Central, Eastern Europe & Caucasus: €53,851 – €88,291
Your specific range within this band depends on where you're based, and there's room to discuss what's right for the person and the role. We'll walk through your range together on your first call with our Talent team so we're aligned for takeoff!
Why People Join Us:
We started Airalo to make staying connected effortless, wherever you are in the world. Today, millions of travelers rely on our eSIMs, and many of the people building the product were customers first. Our team spans 60+ countries, united by a shared belief that great work happens when people are trusted to own what they do. There's trust to own what you do, space to focus without constant layers of process, and a clear sense of what you're responsible for from day one. As Airalo continues to grow, so do the opportunities to learn, take on new challenges, and make a real impact - from anywhere in the world.
On-Call:
Participating in our on-call rotation is a core expectation of this role. It's essential for maintaining 24/7 service reliability across our global operations, ensuring our systems remain resilient and our customers experience uninterrupted service, regardless of time zone or geography.
- Paid Rotation: We offer standby fees + overtime pay.
- Delayed Start: No on-call duties for your first 6 months.
- Rest & Recovery: Guaranteed rest periods and flexible hours following night incidents.
- Shared Load: Rotations are split (Weekdays vs. Weekends) to minimize fatigue.
Please refer to the On-Call Policy in the Airalo Handbook for full details.
Before You Hit Apply:
By applying, you acknowledge and agree that, in case of successful application, Airalo may request to run background checks as a condition for entering into an agreement with you. Rest assured that these checks will only occur upon your prior consent and at the end of the selection process, and will be strictly limited to what is allowed under the laws that are applicable to you. All data that you share or that we collect in connection with such checks will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
We sincerely thank all applicants in advance for submitting their interest in this opportunity. Airalo is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity, equity & inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations upon request for individuals with disabilities throughout our job interview process.
At Airalo, we use AI-assisted tools as part of our recruitment process. Your application will be reviewed using tools that help our recruiters analyze and organize CV information. These tools support, but do not replace, human judgment; all hiring decisions are made by humans. If you progress to an interview, we may use tools to generate AI-assisted notes - you can opt out of these.
Core Network Lead employer: Airalo
Airalo is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, perfect for innovative minds eager to make a global impact. With a focus on employee growth, you will have access to continuous learning opportunities and the chance to collaborate with talented professionals in a remote-friendly environment. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team that values your contributions while serving over 30 million users worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Core Network Lead
✨Get Chummy with Industry Events
Dive into telecommunications networking conferences and expos. These are golden opportunities to meet potential employers like Airalo and learn about open positions directly from their teams. Keep an eye out for workshops or panels – they’re perfect for showcasing your passion and expertise!
✨Join Networking Communities
Find online forums or local meetups that focus on telecommunications and networking. Sites like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit communities can be great for connecting with professionals in the field. Just remember to participate in discussions – you never know when someone might mention job openings at places like Airalo.
✨Showcase Your Skills with Personal Projects
If you’ve got any personal projects or contributions to open-source networking tools, flaunt them! Create a portfolio that showcases your skills relevant to what telecommunication companies are looking for. It’s a great conversation starter during interviews and networking chats.
✨Utilise Online Job Boards Wisely
While we’re all about encouraging you to apply through our website, also keep an eye on job boards specific to tech and telecommunication roles. Websites such as Telecommunication Jobs and TechCareers often list full-time roles that may not appear elsewhere. Just be sure to tailor every application to grab attention – even small tweaks can make a big difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Core Network Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:When you're applying for a role in telecommunications and networking, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Mention specific technologies you're proficient in, like IP networking, VoIP, or security protocols. Be sure your CV includes any relevant certifications such as CCNA or CompTIA Network+; they really show you've got the chops for the job.
Tailor Your Experience to Match Networking Projects:In your CV and cover letter, don’t just list your past jobs—showcase specific projects that align with the role! If you've worked on network design, implementation, or troubleshooting, weave those experiences in and highlight metrics to demonstrate your impact. This paints a vivid picture of how you'd fit into the role at Airalo.
Show Enthusiasm for the Industry:With telecommunications evolving rapidly, it’s important to express your passion for the field in your application. Mention any trends or innovations you've been following that excite you and how they'd influence your work. This can really set you apart and show that you're not just after a job, but a career!
Keep It Clean and Professional:While it’s important to be personable, ensure your application maintains a clean and structured format. Use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy for hiring managers to dig into your skills and experience. Remember, you’re applying for a full-time role, so a well-organised application will signal your seriousness about the position at Airalo.
How to prepare for a job interview at Airalo
✨Brush Up on Networking Protocols
Make sure you’re up to speed with the key networking protocols like TCP/IP, UDP, and perhaps even MPLS if it's relevant. We can expect technical questions about how these protocols function and the problems they solve, so a solid understanding will help you shine.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Got a portfolio? Bring it along! Highlight any relevant projects where you've designed or managed network systems. This is your chance to demonstrate practical experience; employers love to see how your skills can be applied in real-world scenarios.
✨Get Comfortable with Technical Scenarios
You might be faced with a case study or a technical troubleshooting scenario during the interview. Practise responding to common networking issues—like packet loss or latency problems. Thinking through these scenarios will help us sound confident and competent in our responses.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration Skills
In the telecommunications field, teamwork is key! Make sure to share examples of how you’ve worked collaboratively, whether in past jobs or projects at uni. Employers want to see that you’re not just technically savvy, but also great at working within a team setting.
