Role purpose
The Solution Architect (SA) primary role will be to assist account teams in realising pipeline opportunities through the creation and maintenance of solutions that utilise the Voice portfolio with specific focus on IPX (ie Voice Connect, Transport, Access) and Cloud Numbering Products. This is a customer-facing role that provides pre-sales capability to the VCS Sales team. The SA may, in time, also be required to provide sales support for other mobility products such as SMS, RCS and Identity Hub (an API based identity verification service) and occasionally support for IP connectivity-based solutions.
The SA will support the design and architecture of IPX/GRX network, also support the deployment of VF IPX ambitions.
The SA will be responsible to prepare and support the migration and upgradation of IPX interconnect along with the support for design and implementation of the centralized voice and signalling hub.
The SA will be responsible to support Signalling peering (Diameter, SS7) and security (Signalling Firewall) for the benefits of VCPS Customers Solution Designs and in life services.
The SA will be responsible to drive continuous improvements on Processes & Procedures: Analyse the existing procedures and propose new ones to enhance quality and productivity. Develop and maintain effective processes to ensure effective interface with Customer Care, Marketing, Sales and Finance Departments.
The SA will have a detailed understanding of the products and services that apply to the VCPS and wider Vodafone Product Portfolios as well as a good understanding of Carrier Customers, Partner Markets and OPCOs that comprise the Carrier and Partner Services business environment.
The SA will engage with a broad range of contacts within respective VCPS Customer organisations to determine the most appropriate technical solution that meets the needs of both the Customers and VCS.
The SA will work closely with other members of the VCPS team, including those that exist within the wider Vodafone Corporate environment. This will cover a range of disciplines i.e. The Sales Account Team, Commercial Operations, Planning, Product, Programmes & Projects, Service Management, by ensuring that the solution designs deployed fit for purpose and can be readily deployed and operated by VCPS in a profitable manner.
The key deliverables for an SA are high quality, commercially viable solution designs that have been approved by the VCS Customers and by all internal technical stakeholders. The SA is responsible for creating the relevant technical documentation to established standards. This will detail the proposed solution that will be contracted with VCPS Customers. The SA is also accountable and responsible for ensuring correct understanding of the client’s technical requirements for a given piece of solution design work, by managing the customer’s expectations such that VCPS can deliver a high-quality solution within realistic timeframes. The SA will also oversee the implementation of the solutions via the various delivery teams, from feasibility, design, deployment, testing, go live and then some in life change management.

The SA will also contribute to Product development activities of the Product team, suggesting product enhancements or improvements and also contributing to new product designs where appropriate.

The SA may also be required to co-ordinate the work of cross-functional Teams as part of specific projects.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership
Directly responsible to support VCPS Sales/Commercial Ops in multiple pre-determined geographies, with full accountability for Solutions Designs, frequent Customer exposure with Technical peers
Ability to understand VCPS customer business requirements and drivers, steer the VCPS Account Teams and technical Customer counterparts to solution designs that can be operationalized, transform initial requirements into firm, orderable technical solutions.
Responsible for developing, understanding & codifying Solution documentation and requirements for IPX, GRX, Cloud Numbering and wider L3 portfolio solutions in their designated technology area(s), in particular Voice.
Ensure the service KPI and KQI are on target
Provide feedback and input to Vodafone product teams to enhance portfolio offerings
Core competencies
5+ Years in Telco environments within Solution Consulting or network design
Design practice on GSMA IPX networks, Cloud Numbering, traditional SS#7 architectures, telephony, next-generation fixed/mobile networks (NGN)
Proven experience over technical solutions design and technical solutions lifecycle management, previous exposure in handling complex RFQ/RFP/BAFO pre-contract sales cycle, technical cost base assessment
Very strong communication skills with the ability to communicate to senior and executive level management along with international technical virtual teams.
Fluent English, preferred a 2nd language
Must have technical / professional qualifications:
Comfortable in working within a multi-disciplined technical environment, proven experience on large solutions network designs based on:
Hybrid L3 MPLS IPVPN networks (BGP/HSRP resilient architectures)
Transmission and IP Routing protocols
GSMA IPX architecture
NGN and IMS/3GPP Equipment and Networks
Architecture, Services and Protocols (H.323, H.248,MGCP, SIP, etc.) for Telephony on IP networks )
Knowledge of Mobile core interfaces s8, S6a, s6d and SS7. LTE & 2G network.
For IP connectivity UDP/SCTP association for SIP, Diameter and Sigtran Signalling for IMS Voice & EPC.
Services and protocols (ISDN/DSS1, SS7 [ISUP, MAP, INAP,…]), for legacy Telephony Networks(PSTN)
Digital Signal Processing systems and equipment, for Audio, Video and Voice.
System and Algorithms for coding/compression of Audio, Video and Voice signals; Coding and Processing Standards
Ability to lead and drive major change programmes engaging senior stakeholders and third parties
Excellent Knowledge of 3GPP architecture (CS Core, Packet core)
Deep Knowledge on core network signalling (SIGTRAN, Diameter, SCCP, etc.)
Experience on dealing with GRX/IPX providers
Mature, self-starter, able to assess required man-days efforts at the beginning of the solutions lifecycle, with confidence in getting activities which will yield high contribution prioritized,
Proven ability of building and coordinate cross-functional technical solution teams and work with a wide variety of colleagues in a virtual and global team environment.
Technical Degree