Principal Solution Architect

Optus is an Australian telecommunications company, delivering more than 11 million services to our customers every day across mobile, broadband and digital solutions.

The Principal Solutions Architect in the IP SDN and Tooling team is the primary design authority for Optus's API-first, AI-assisted network automation platform. This role bridges commercial product engineering with zero-touch network automation. It is responsible for architecting the end-to-end automation stack to support Optus Business (EGW) growth, accelerating product development cycles, and securely migrating services from the Essential network onto the new IPM declarative pipeline. The role operates at the intersection of carrier-grade network design, intent-based modelling, and software engineering. You will lead the transition from manual, CLI-driven operations to a software-defined operating model, acting as an evangelist to upskill our traditional networking workforce.

What You’ll Do

• Define and deliver the end-to-end automation architectures required to hit our program target of automating 80% of recurring IP changes by December 2027.
• Execute the safe, at-scale migration of enterprise services (including NBN and fibre business services) off legacy networks and onto the new IPM pipeline.
• Design scalable, multi-vendor abstraction layers (spanning Cisco, Ciena, Fortinet) to prevent vendor lock-in and protect commercial margins.
• Embed NetBox as the authoritative source of truth for network design and inventory.
• Translate Optus Business product intent (Carrier IP-Line, IP-VPN, MEF E-Line/E-LAN, SD-WAN) into structured service inventory models and executable automation workflows.
• Serve as the design authority for Fixed Enterprise Networks automation, translating commercial product requirements into deployable network models (YANG, OpenAPI, JSON Schema).
• Introduce and scale zero-touch service provisioning systems (such as Cisco NSO) and intent-based modelling, ensuring automated handling of custom customer specifications.
• Actively mentor and upskill traditional network engineers, embedding a culture of software-driven network operations, CI/CD methodology, and psychological safety.
• Ensure adherence to Optus engineering governance frameworks, TM Forum Open API standards, and IETF-aligned network modelling practices.
• Design and validate solutions against non-functional requirements including availability, scalability, security posture, observability, and operational runbook coverage.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration between Sales, Product, Architecture, and Technology teams to accelerate time-to-market.

What You Bring

• 10+ years’ experience building, scaling, and automating tier-1 carrier networks, ideally supporting commercial product portfolios (EGW/Enterprise & Government).
• A proven track record architecting and executing large-scale, high-stakes network migrations (e.g., 100,000+ IP-Line links).
• Extensive hands-on experience with Cisco NSO, zero-touch provisioning, and replacing legacy OSS stacks with agile automation pipelines.
• Deep product architecture experience across Carrier IP-Line, IP-VPN, MEF E-Line/E-LAN, SD-WAN, and SIP Voice.
• Practical experience establishing and enforcing NetBox or equivalent systems as an authoritative source of truth.
• Multi-vendor network engineering expertise (Cisco routing cores, Ciena equipment, Fortinet SD-WAN).
• Working knowledge of container-based delivery and modern software engineering practices (GitOps, CI/CD).
• Demonstrated ability to build, motivate, and retain high-performing engineering teams within tight capital constraints.
• A Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

The good stuff…

• Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. Make life easier (and more affordable) with $80 monthly credit and 25% off Optus products and unique shopping discounts with our retail partners.
• Flexible working arrangements with opportunities to work three days in the office, two days remote or home.
• Vibrant and collaborative office campus that includes cafes, convenience store, chill out zones, GP, post office, gym and on-site childcare centre.
• Competitive leave policies, including additional 'Connected’ days to focus on culture, family, health, community, or whatever’s important to you.
• We support growing families with inclusive, carer-neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks.
• Build meaningful connections through employee-led networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+).
• Put your wellbeing first with free access to counselling and support services, 24/7 - in-person, by phone, SMS, or video.
• Free Optus bus from Macquarie University Metro Station (every 6-8 minutes); morning and afternoon.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying ‘yes’ to embracing individual differences.

We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive.

If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email [email protected] or call 1800 309 170.

For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit https://www.optus.com.au/about/inclusion-diversity