Lead NPO Engineer
NPO Technical Manager | Reading (Hybrid) | Long-Term Contract
We're supporting a major telecoms programme looking for an NPO Technical Manager to lead end-to-end optimisation and performance across live network deployments.
This is a hands-on technical leadership role, ideal for someone who still enjoys optimisation work but also wants ownership of delivery, KPIs, and customer interaction.
The role
- You'll act as the primary technical interface for NPO, owning performance across clusters and sites while leading optimisation teams and driving acceptance.
- Lead end-to-end NPO activities across planning, optimisation, and acceptance
- Act as the main escalation point for network performance
- Drive KPIs across throughput, latency, coverage, and stability
- Coordinate optimisation and drive test teams
- Analyse drive test data and deliver performance improvements
- Support project planning, delivery, and technical risk management
- Lead cluster and site acceptance activities
- Work closely with customers, project teams, and field engineers
What they're looking for
- 5+ years RAN optimisation experience (2G-5G)
- Strong Nokia RAN knowledge (NetAct, AirScale, MRBTS, SRAN)
- Experience leading optimisation teams or acting as technical lead
- Strong understanding of KPIs, drive testing, and network performance
- Experience working directly with telecom operators
- Fluent English
Nice to have
- Experience with ORAN/CRAN
- Multi-vendor background
- Additional language
Why this role
- Long-term programme with stable delivery pipeline
- Real ownership of performance and optimisation outcomes
- Strong mix of hands-on technical work and leadership
- High-impact role working directly with customer stakeholders
Details
- Location: Reading (Theale) - Hybrid
- Contract: 12 months
- Hours: 40 per week
Interested?
If you're an NPO specialist who wants to step into a technical leadership role without losing the hands-on side, let's have a quick chat.