Solutions Architect:

Solution Architect (Telecommunications – OSS)

South Africa

Fixed-term contract – 3 years

Telecommunications

Reports to: Head of Architecture / OSS Programme Lead

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Solution Architect to join a large-scale telecommunications transformation programme on a 3-year contract based in South Africa. The successful candidate will play a key role in architecting and delivering OSS (Operations Support Systems) solutions, with a strong focus on network inventory, service modelling, and systems integration.

This is a hands-on architecture role requiring deep telecoms domain expertise, the ability to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions, and proven experience working across complex, multi-vendor OSS environments.

Key Responsibilities

OSS Architecture

Define and own end-to-end OSS architecture across network inventory, service assurance, fulfilment, and orchestration domains.

Develop target-state architecture, roadmaps, and transition plans aligned with business and technology strategy.

Ensure architectural governance, standards, and best practices are applied across all OSS solutions.

Conduct architecture reviews and provide technical assurance on designs delivered by internal teams and vendors.

Network Inventory

Design and evolve network inventory solutions to support accurate, real-time visibility of physical and logical network assets.

Define data models and architecture for network resource discovery, reconciliation, and synchronisation.

Architect solutions supporting fibre, fixed, mobile, and IP/transport network inventories.

Drive automation and integration of inventory systems with network elements and upstream/downstream systems.

Service Modelling

Design and maintain service models that accurately represent products, services, and resources across the OSS stack.

Ensure alignment of service models with TM Forum frameworks (eTOM, SID, TAM) and Open APIs.

Architect catalogue-driven fulfilment and assurance solutions supporting complex enterprise and consumer services.

Collaborate with product, BSS, and network teams to ensure end-to-end service model consistency.

Systems Integration

Lead the architectural design of integration solutions between OSS components, BSS, network elements, and third-party systems.

Define integration patterns, APIs, and middleware strategies (ESB, API gateway, messaging, microservices).

Oversee integration testing, data migration, and cutover activities from an architecture perspective.

Manage technical engagement with vendors and system integrators to ensure solution alignment and quality delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement & Delivery

Work closely with business stakeholders, programme managers, and engineering teams to translate requirements into actionable architectures.

Provide technical leadership and mentorship to development and integration teams.

Support procurement and vendor selection through technical evaluation and solution assessment.

Produce and maintain architecture documentation, diagrams, and decision records.

Key Requirements

Essential

8+ years' experience in telecommunications IT, with at least 4–5 years as a Solution Architect in OSS domains.

Proven, hands-on experience in OSS architecture, including network inventory, service modelling, and systems integration.

Strong understanding of TM Forum frameworks (eTOM, SID, Open APIs) and industry best practices.

Demonstrated experience integrating OSS platforms with BSS, network elements, and third-party systems.

Experience with leading OSS vendor products (e.g., Netcracker, Amdocs, Nokia, Ericsson, Ciena, Blue Planet, or similar).

Solid grasp of integration technologies: REST/SOAP APIs, ESB, message queues, microservices, and data modelling.

Strong knowledge of network technologies (fibre, mobile, IP/MPLS, SDN/NFV) and how they are represented in OSS.

Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and documentation skills.

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field.

Desirable

Experience in large-scale telecoms transformation or greenfield OSS programmes.

TOGAF or similar architecture certification.

TM Forum certification (ODA, Open APIs).

Experience with cloud-native OSS deployments (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerisation (Kubernetes, Docker).

Knowledge of Agile/SAFe delivery methodologies.

Experience working with South African telecoms operators or regulators (ICASA) environment.

Key Competencies

Strategic and analytical thinking

Technical leadership and mentorship

Strong problem-solving and decision-making

Effective communication across technical and business audiences

Vendor and stakeholder management

Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced programme environment

To Apply: please email me an updated profile: ***email_hidden***