Role purpose:

Integrate Voice Core technologies and functions into Vodafone-managed networks, aligning with the strategy, goals, and approach of the Voice Core domain. This role is accountable for the entire engineering lifecycle, from requirements through design, testing, acceptance, integration, and deployment, ensuring alignment between design and in-service performance.

There is a technology focus on 2G/3G/4G and 5G core network functions as associated with:

• Customer data repositories (e.g., HLR, HSS, CSDB, UDM)
• Signalling Network Functions (e.g., STP, DRA, SCP)
• IP Multi Media Systems (e.g., TAS, CSCF, SBC, ENUM/DNS)
• Mobile switching Centres (e.g., TSC, MSS, MGW)

The deployment of many of these network functions uses virtualized and containerized technology and some expertise in vertical integration with virtualization technologies would be preferred (e.g., VMware/Broadcom, Red Hat, Kubernetes).

The role will define the low-level design and support the engineering and development of the Voice Core Network guaranteeing the highest level of quality, availability and robustness to meet customer expectations; perform acceptance tests for new software and for new network elements, granting the end-to-end integration, including interconnect to the other mobile and fixed operators within the relevant country, and ensuring synergies and harmonization achievement across different countries.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership:

• 
  Detailed Planning and Integration: Oversee detailed planning, low-level design, configuration, and integration with mobile and fixed interconnected operators.

• Lifecycle Management: Manage the lifecycle of systems within the Voice Core domain.
• Hardware and Software Acceptance: Ensure hardware and software acceptance in the network, meeting business functional requirements and operational suitability.
• Integration Testing: Conduct integration testing of new technologies and services, collaborating with suppliers, Operations, Security, Regulatory, and other group functions.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with all stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of functionality and quality in projects, making decisions where Voice Core is the lead domain.

Key performance indicators:

• Network and service performance targets (availability and performance) defined as global targets, but also as measured by internal and external drive trials – particularly Umlaut
• Capacity in line with Engineering Forecasts ensuring in service performance cannot be compromised
• Timeliness and quality in delivery

Core competencies, knowledge and experience:

• Collaboration and Problem Solving: Strong competence in collaboration, problem-solving, and applied thinking based on evidence and data.
• Telecommunication Network Design: Experienced in designing telecommunication networks with a solid understanding of architectural principles.
• Solution Engineering and Optimization: Proficient in engineering and optimizing solutions taking into account long-term and short-term objectives, customer experience, cost efficiency, and network complexity.
• Cross-Functional and Cultural Collaboration: Ability to work across multi-functional and cultural boundaries to transform ways of working, enhancing results and driving change.

Must have technical / professional qualifications:

• Degree qualified.
• Fluent in Italian and English (at least B2/Upper Intermediate)
• At least 2 years professional experience in Telecommunications.
• Knowledge of telecommunication principles and protocols.
• Expert in the engineering of core mobile networks for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G technologies.
• Preferred experience with network virtualization and containerization solutions, as well as transport and networking technologies, including routing and switching protocols, and IPv4/6.

Budget owned:

CAPEX budget managed by the team is around €30M

Location: Ivrea, Torino, Milano, Roma, Napoli