Job Description

Principal Architect – IP, you’ll play a leadership role shaping Optus’ end‑to‑end network architecture across mobile, fixed and cloud domains.

Working across agile, cross‑disciplinary teams, you’ll provide strategic, technical and architectural leadership to ensure our IP network designs are scalable, secure, resilient and aligned to Optus’ long‑term technology roadmap. You’ll also represent Optus with vendors, industry bodies and government forums, influencing outcomes that matter to our customers and communities.

What you’ll do

• Lead and govern end‑to‑end IP architecture strategy, blueprints and design standards aligned to Optus’ long‑term network vision
• Provide technical leadership and architectural governance across multi‑domain architecture reviews, ensuring consistency and alignment to E2E principles
• Drive strategic network design decisions across mobile, fixed, transport and cloud platforms
• Partner with senior stakeholders across Networks, IT, Commercial and Vendors to translate complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes
• Provide expert guidance on network security architecture, participating in security governance forums and shaping network security strategy
• Represent Optus in government, regulatory and industry technical working groups, protecting Optus’ technology and commercial interests
• Collaborate with vendors to assess emerging technologies and guide capability uplift across the network
• Act as a senior consultant on complex network issues, guiding engineering teams through troubleshooting and optimisation
• Ensure architecture documentation, policies and frameworks meet regulatory, security and industry best‑practice standards

What you’ll bring

• Extensive experience as a senior engineer or architect within the telecommunications industry
• Deep expertise in IP networking including BGP, OSPF, IS‑IS, MPLS, IP‑VPNs, routing, switching and transport networks
• Strong experience across mobile, fixed and cloud architectures, including 4G/5G, SDN, NFV, network slicing and FMC
• Proven ability to operate at principal / enterprise architecture level, influencing strategy and investment decisions
• Experience working with regulatory bodies and understanding regulatory technical requirements in Australian telecommunications
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical ideas clearly and effectively
• A strategic mindset, balancing innovation, risk management, commercial outcomes and operational excellence
• Tertiary qualification in IT, Telecommunications Engineering or a related discipline (postgraduate qualification desirable)

The Good Stuff…

• 3 days in the office, 2 days remote – with flexible hours to suit your lifestyle
• Inclusive paid parental leave, up to 14 weeks for the primary caregiver
• $80 monthly Optus credit plus 25% discount on Optus products
• Access to extensive learning and development, including MBA micro‑credentials via OptusU
• Support and resources through the Parents at Work portal
• Connect and belong through employee‑led networks including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network, Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+), United Veterans and Yarn Network
• Vibrant campus life with cafes, gym, GP, post office and collaborative workspaces

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and value diversity by saying “yes” to embracing individual differences. We’re committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all job seekers, including people from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability, individuals identifying as LGBTQIA+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and veterans.

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, please contact AccessibleRecruitment@optus.com.au or call 1800 309 170

Keen to Learn More?

Search #OptusLife on LinkedIn to see what it’s really like to work at Optus — and apply now to help shape the future of Australia’s mobile networks.