At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead network planning and optimisation for a major telecom project, ensuring delivery excellence.
- Company: Join a leading telecommunications company with a focus on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Hybrid working model, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to expand your skills and career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the telecom industry while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Telecommunications and 5+ years in network performance.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Contract Type: 6-Month Contract (Outside IR35)
Location: Hybrid – Remote with occasional travel to Berkshire (UK)
Overview
We are looking for an experienced NPO Technical Manager to lead Network Planning and Optimization (NPO) activities for a major telecommunications project. This is a contract role outside IR35, offering a mix of remote working and occasional on-site presence in Berkshire.
Your Role
As the NPO Technical Manager, you will oversee all technical aspects of network performance and optimization within the project. Reporting to the NPO Project Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring network quality, driving optimization strategies, and leading technical teams to deliver against contractual KPIs.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary technical contact and escalation point for all NPO-related matters
- Lead and coordinate NPO technical activities across:
- Planning
- Execution
- Acceptance phases
- Work closely with Project Management and engineering teams to ensure smooth delivery and operational continuity
- Conduct technical risk analysis, defining and implementing mitigation strategies
- Validate workload, resource requirements, and expertise needed for NPO tasks
- Support project planning, delivery acceptance, and handover to operations
- Drive network performance optimization, focusing on:
- Stability
- Throughput (DL/UL)
- Coverage
- Latency
- Analyse drive test data (single site and cluster level) and correlate with contractual KPIs
- Coordinate with field teams (Drive Test teams) and local stakeholders to implement improvements
- Organise and lead network audits (features, licenses, neighbour relations) using Nokia tools
- Ensure radio network design, databuild, and optimization meet customer expectations
- Define and monitor end-user performance criteria
- Lead NPO teams to achieve cluster and site acceptance and secure final E2E solution approval
- Build strong customer relationships and manage stakeholder communication, risks, and issues
- Identify opportunities to expand NPO scope and enhance customer solutions
Required Skills & Experience
- Degree in Engineering or Telecommunications
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in radio network performance and optimization (end-to-end delivery to external customers)
- 3+ years in a technical leadership role (project management, team leadership, or solution consulting within NPO)
- Strong expertise in Nokia RAN technologies, including:
- 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G
- CRAN / ORAN
- Solid knowledge of Nokia parameters, protocols, and NPO tools/processes
- Experience with Nokia RAN portfolio, including:
- NetAct
- SRAN
- MRBT
- SAirScale BTS
- Controllers
- NPO services
- Strong analytical skills, particularly in drive test analysis and performance optimization
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Proven ability to lead teams and collaborate across functions
- Fluent in English
Desirable Skills
- Additional language(s)
- Broader experience across other areas of the Nokia portfolio
Work Model
Hybrid role: primarily remote. Occasional travel required to Berkshire, UK.
RF Technical Manager in Reading employer: First Point Group
First Point Group is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of West Sussex. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior engineers while leading impactful projects that drive technological advancement. The company values work-life balance and provides competitive benefits, making it a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful employment in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land RF Technical Manager in Reading
✨Get Chummy with Industry Events
Dive into telecommunications networking conferences and expos. These are golden opportunities to meet potential employers like First Point Group 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 First Point Group.
✨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 RF Technical Manager in Reading
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 First Point Group.
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 First Point Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at First Point Group
✨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.
