Product Solution Architect

Design and implement comprehensive technology solutions that meet our customer's complex business needs. The role will require owning and shaping end to end solutions for various Vodacom Business customer requirements using modern architectural frameworks and best practice. You will also support specialist sales, product managers and product architect teams with incrementally evolving our end-to-end solution capabilities across mobile, core connectivity and beyond mobile (fixed, cloud and IoT) to ensure improved customer experience, resiliency, re-usability, scalability and cost management.

Your strong technical skills, combined with your ability to think strategically and solve complex problems, will contribute to the successful implementation of our Vodacom Business Tech Co strategy.

• Identify key end to end functional requirements and drive shaping of the end-to-end solution design approach through engagements with account teams, product managers and technical architects.
• Design end to end solutions for complex and multi tower solutions that align with business objectives and our architecture standards, taking into consideration scalability, performance, security and maintainability.
• Work with account teams, product managers, product architects and SMEs (subject matter experts) to refine the end-to-end solution requirements and lead on defining the end-to-end solution design for the complex and multi tower solutions.
• Protect the integrity and reusability of the solution throughout the lifecycle, keeping it as simple as possible.
• Closely collaborate with product architects to define architectural guardrails, product teams for refinement of product features, and with engineering teams and project managers for high level delivery planning.
• Support root cause analysis and identifying solution options for complex issues found during delivery or on live services when required.
• Maintain alignment with Enterprise and Integration Architecture standards across all work.
• Ensure consistency in application architecture and alignment with Vodacom Business architectural standards.
• Provide technical guidance and support to low level technical teams during implementation phase and ensure adherence to architectural guidelines and best practices.
• Drive in solution architecture, documentation and ways of working improvement initiatives contributing to the department’s continuous improvement goals.
• Knowledge sharing through the organization’s operational business processes systems.

• Managing and collaborating with Vodacom Business technical, product and sales leadership to develop growth plans for the business.
• Provide specialised and technical support to internal and external stakeholders to ensure achievement of functional and organisational objectives.

• A relevant degree in Computer Science, Engineering or IT or related field.
• Postgraduate qualifications (Desirable).
• 5+ years experience in Telco IT architecture and Systems.
• Extensive with Domain Architecture and Design.
• Extensive Understanding of TOGAF Framework.
• Extensive Knowledge of:
  • Fixed data communication technologies [including SD-WAN, MPLS, IP VPN technologies]
  • Voice communication technologies [including IPT, NGN, IN, SIP etc…]
  • Mobile data communication technologies [All available Spectrums including 5G, Managed/Secure Mobility]
  • Cloud, Cyber Security & Managed Services
  • Unified Communications solutions
  • IOT

• Business development skills – unlocking the opportunity based on customers’ business requirements.
• Extensive experience in telecoms/IT design with proven technical co-ordination.
• Experience in change management in a technological context.
• Team player, strong influence and relationship management skills.
• A self-starter with a determination to succeed, balanced with appropriate tact and diplomacy.
• Fluent in English.
• Ability to lead in high-growth, high-uncertainty environments.
• Ability to work in an international and distributed virtual team.
• Excellent Customer relationship management skills with ability to interact at Director level.
• Strong communication and decision-making skills – ability to balance conflicting…