Core Network Lead at Interswitch Group

Interswitch is an Africa-focused integrated digital payments and commerce company that facilitates the electronic circulation of money as well as the exchange of value between individuals and organisations on a timely and consistent basis. We started operations in 2002 as a transaction switching and electronic payments processing, and have progressively evolved into an integrated payment services company, building and managing payment infrastructure as well as delivering innovative payment products and transactional services throughout the African continent. At Interswitch, we offer unique career opportunities for individuals capable of playing key roles and adding value in an innovative and fun environment.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Core Network Lead

Location: Lagos

About the job

• Establish and maintain the reliable day-to-day operations of the MVNO/MVNE core network systems. Drive automation and cost-efficiency while significantly improving system performance and scalability through innovative engineering methods, modern architectures, and best practices—ensuring the delivery of agile, robust, and high-performing products and services to both internal and external customers.
• Responsible for the entire system architecture, production, and delivery of the products and services to customers in alignment with the company’s and operation’s objectives.
• This includes ensuring and managing the agile infrastructure and application design, development, test, deployment, and operation of insourced and outsourced services of the core network, BSS, and OSS. Report to the Head of Infrastructure, and mainly interface with the product team, vendors, partners, and customers.

Responsibilities
Strategy and Solution Planning:

• Translate business goals into clear technical requirements, design new system architectures.
• Responsible for network solution planning, design, and implementation to meet targeted availability, KPIs, and SLAs while maintaining network quality.
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation plans.

Core Network and Systems Design and Operations:

• Oversee the design, implementation, and operation of the core network, BSS, and all its associated elements and functions.
• Oversee the operation and performance of the core network systems, ensuring that core functionalities such as call routing, subscriber management, and signaling operate efficiently. Troubleshoot and resolve network and core system issues.
• Manage and maintain overall technology stack, ensuring operational efficiency, robustness, scalability, and agility.
• Monitor network performance using analytics to generate insights, proactively address issues, and recommend data-driven improvements while providing regular reports on network health, KPIs, incidents, and project status to senior management.
• Coordinate with technical teams to plan and execute system upgrades, integrations, and maintenance for both network and core systems.

Network Integration and Connectivity:

• Manage and maintain network integrations between the MVNE platform and partner MNOs, ensuring reliable connectivity.
• Support the integration and launch of new MVNO services by planning, testing, and executing both network and core system configurations.
• Ensure data availability to power essential processes (wholesale-sale, consumer billing, etc.).

Application and Resource Management:

• Manage the application layer and its building resources.
• Manage and oversee the onboarding of new MVNOs to the MVNE platform.
• Manage the available internal and external resources according to the overall company and operation OKRs.
• Manage the product backlog together with 3rd parties and ensure timely delivery.
• Oversee and actively manage relationships with technology vendors and partners, ensuring SLAs are met and that product and service delivery are aligned with network and business requirements.

Security, Compliance & Quality Assurance:

• Implement and manage network security measures, including firewalls, encryption protocols, and access controls, to safeguard connectivity and core network integrity.
• Conduct regular tests and ensure all required certifications are in place.
• Ensure all solutions and platforms function according to established specifications and telecommunication performance standards

Documentation and Reporting:

• Oversee the documentation of software policies, procedures, data standards/flows, and change orders for new or revised database functions.
• Document network configurations, core system setups, and operational procedures to ensure up-to-date technical records and facilitate knowledge sharing.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Manage and provide direction and mentorship to the technology team, ensuring the development of a high-performing team by providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and training initiatives while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and solutions-driven work environment.

Education
General Education:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Telecommunication, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• Leadership certificates, Training Agile certificate, Engineering Project Management (optional)
• Relevant certifications are often advantageous

Experience
General Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years in the telecom industry, covering core network operations, deployment and optimization experience, including a good hands-on packet core NE. Deep knowledge of 2G, 3G, 4G, VoLTE, 5G technologies, architecture and standards with a strong understanding of industry regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience with infrastructure, distributed applications on AWS, Azure, or GCP, and microservices/API architectural design
• Previous experience in finance in the telecom sector

Managerial Experience:

• At least 3 years of managerial experience in resource planning, management, and organization within short to medium timescales, along with expertise in managing end-to-end core network projects, vendor coordination, and budget responsibilities.

Skills:

• Strong technical expertise in mobile network protocols such as GTP, DIAMETER, SCTP, TCP/IP, HTTP/2, SS7, ISUP, MAP, CAMEL, and SIP protocols and knowledge of relevant 3GPP standards and core infrastructure
• Hands-on experience with IP networking, VPNs, and telecom signalling, alongside management of core network systems
• Excellent troubleshooting skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work under pressure
• Ability to design scalable networks, optimize call handling, signaling and familiarity with NFV or Cloud technologies such as OpenStack, VMware, or container platforms like Kubernetes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical information clearly
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools and best practices for network security.
• In-depth knowledge of telecommunications infrastructure and MVNO architectures

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online