Technical Lead, Optical network Engineering

Job location:

Colt provides network, voice and data centre services to thousands of businesses around the world, allowing them to focus on delivering their business goals instead of the underlying infrastructure.

Working pattern: Hybrid

Why we need this role

We are seeking a highly skilled optical network engineer in our network planning team who will ensure Colt’s optical network has the right capacity and capability in the right locations at the right time, supporting strategic planning, proactive capacity management, forecasting, and on-time service delivery.

• Monitor optical network utilization, performance trends, and capacity thresholds to identify bottlenecks early and avoid service delivery impact.
• Forecast demand using historical trends, run‑rate data, and sales pipeline visibility to plan proactive capacity builds.
• Trigger proactive and reactive capacity expansions, ensuring the right balance between justified investment and delivery timelines.
• Use internal planning tools (e.g., OES) for automated capacity monitoring, hotspot detection, and license tracking.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain, Vendors, Implementation and Field teams to secure timely delivery of fibre, electronics, site infra, and licences.
• Support Sales and Service Delivery at pre‑sales and delivery stages for capacity checks, feasibility assessments, and technical inputs.
• Identify optimisation opportunities to recover unused capacity, reduce costs, and improve network efficiency.
• Maintain planning rules, design inputs, and deployment standards for Ciena and Nokia optical platforms.
• Track end‑to‑end capacity delivery plans, risks, dependencies, and ensure commitments to the business are met on time.
• Define and maintain KPIs, dashboards, and reporting to measure performance, improvements, and alignment with business objectives.

What we're looking for

• Strong hands‑on experience in DWDM/OTN technologies from Ciena, Nokia, Infinera, and ADTRAN.
• Experience of Optical network designing and planning, well understanding of vendor planning tools – EPT & Planner+
• Experience of optical network configuration, well understanding of MCP and WS NOC
• Strong conceptual and technical understanding of ROADM, photonic nodes, shelves, transponders, and mux/demux systems.
• Experience in network planning and design- Link Engineering, Simulation, HLD/LLD creation, BOM creation, design validation, and building job packs for field teams.
• Experience in optical capacity management, utilisation analysis, forecasting, and proactive/reactive builds.
• Practical experience with Colt tools: RTD/RTD+, OES, License Management, Node Exit tools, ARM, Siebel/XTRAC
• Experience in optimisation activities like dormant‑capacity reuse, license optimisation, hardware recovery, and cost‑saving initiatives.
• Ability to support large expansion or transformation projects (overlays, subsea upgrades, proactive builds, node exits, regulatory projects).
• Strong stakeholder management with Sales, Service Delivery, Operations, Architecture, Finance, and Leadership.
• Innovation and Optimization: Drive improvements through technology innovation, network optimization, and process enhancement

Might have:

• Exposure to automation and digitalisation of planning processes, including AI‑driven forecasting and automated monitoring.
• Experience improving end‑to‑end capacity delivery processes, reducing lead times, defining SLAs, and standardising deployment guidelines.
• Knowledge of designing customer‑specific optical solutions and bespoke delivery requirements.
• Experience with network functional testing, benchmarking, failure reproduction, and issue validation.

What we offer you:

Looking to make a mark?

At Colt, you’ll make a difference.

Because around here, we empower people.

We don’t tell you what to do.

Instead, we employ people we trust, who come together across the globe to create intelligent solutions.

Our global teams are full of ambitious, driven people, all working together towards one shared purpose: to put the power of the digital universe in the hands of our customers wherever, whenever and however they want.

We give our people the opportunity to inspire and lead teams, and work on projects that connect people, cities, businesses, and ideas.

We want you to help us change the world, for the better.

Diversity and inclusion

• Inclusion and valuing diversity of thought and experience are at the heart of our culture here at Colt. From day one, you’ll be encouraged to be yourself because we believe that’s what helps our people to thrive. We welcome people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, neurodiversity, age, marital status, pregnancy status, or place of birth.

Most recently we have:

• Signed the UN Women Empowerment Principles which guide our Gender Action Plan
• Trained 60 (and growing) Colties to be Mental Health First Aiders
• Please speak with a member of our recruitment team if you require adjustments to our recruitment process to support you. For more information about our Inclusion and Diversity agenda, visit our DEI pages.

Our benefits support you through all parts of life, for both physical and mental health.

• Flexible working hours and the option to work from home.
• Extensive induction program with experienced mentors and buddies.
• Opportunities for further development and educational opportunities.
• Global Family Leave Policy.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Internal inclusion & diversity employee networks.

A global network

• When you join Colt you become part of our global network. We are proud of our colleagues and the stories and experience they bring – take a look at ‘Our People’ site including our Empowered Women in Tech.

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