Solution Architect

Optus Network Engineering keeps Australia connected. We own the design, planning, delivery, and operation of one of Australia's largest and most critical telecommunications networks, keeping 11 million customers online every day. We support the IP infrastructure that powers mobile, broadband, and digital services across the nation, and we're looking for a Solutions Architect who can shape how that infrastructure is automated, integrated, and evolved at national scale.

The IP Automation & Tooling team develops and operates automation, observability, and data platforms spanning IP Core, Edge, Aggregation, and Optical domains. We own the end-to-end roadmap for transforming our IP network into an intelligent, self-healing platform. That means integrating across a complex landscape of vendor systems, cloud platforms, and internal OSS/BSS, and making deliberate architectural decisions about how those pieces fit together. The Solutions Architect is the person who leads that thinking.

You'll join a diverse team of network engineers, software developers, and data scientists tackling some of telco's most complex integration and automation challenges. You'll have the autonomy to set architectural direction, evaluate technology, and lead the design of solutions that operate at national scale, with the trust of the team to own those decisions end to end.

What You'll Do

• Lead end-to-end solution architecture across the automation and observability platform, from initial problem framing through to design sign-off and delivery oversight.
• Define how our platform integrates with vendor systems (Cisco, Nokia, Juniper), cloud providers, and internal OSS/BSS, establishing API integration patterns and standards that scale across the platform.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, run proof-of-concept initiatives, and make clear recommendations on technology selection, vendor capability, and build vs. buy decisions.
• Translate complex network operational requirements into coherent, maintainable platform architectures, ensuring solutions address performance, reliability, security, and operational coverage.
• Work across Optus teams and external partners to align architectural decisions with business strategy, network roadmaps, and engineering standards (TM Forum, TOGAF, IETF).
• Provide architectural governance: review designs from the engineering team, set integration standards, and ensure consistency across the platform.
• Mentor engineers on architecture practice and platform thinking, and represent the team in cross-functional design forums and vendor engagements.

What You Bring

• Tertiary qualifications in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 4+ years in solutions architecture, enterprise architecture, or senior platform engineering, with meaningful experience in a telco, network, or large-scale infrastructure environment.
• Strong grasp of telco system integration, including OSS/BSS platforms, network management systems, and how vendor products connect into operational workflows via RESTful and event-driven APIs.
• Solid understanding of software architecture principles: API design, microservices, service decomposition, and how to structure systems that are maintainable at scale.
• Familiarity with network automation concepts and southbound integration with network devices (NETCONF, gNMI, model-driven programmability) sufficient to evaluate and govern solutions without implementing them directly.
• Experience evaluating and integrating cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) into network or operational technology stacks.
• Working knowledge of IP networking: routing protocols (BGP, IS-IS, OSPF), MPLS, segment routing, and transport network design.
• Exposure to AI/ML in operational contexts (intent-based automation, anomaly detection, closed-loop assurance) and an ability to assess where it adds genuine value.
• Architecture standards experience: TOGAF, TM Forum eTOM/Open APIs, or equivalent.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills; able to present architectural trade-offs clearly to engineering teams, senior leadership, and external vendors alike.

What’s in it for you?

• 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.
• 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.
• Direct your own development and build future-ready skills with Optus U’s industry-focused micro-credentials, developed with La Trobe and Macquarie Universities.
• 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.

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 AccessibleRecruitment@optus.com.au or call 1800 309 170. We're here to help.

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