Principal Technical Specialist

Optus is an Australian telecommunications company, delivering more than 11 million services to our customers every day across mobile, broadband, and digital solutions.

The Transmission Core team is responsible for planning, onboarding, lifecycle management, and ownership of DWDM, Core Sync, and legacy transport platforms within Optus. This role provides technical leadership across all network transmission technologies, with expertise in DWDM, MPLS, OTN, optical switching, and network automation using tools such as Nokia's NSP. As a project technical leader, you will define domain architecture and solution design for Optus' DWDM network, driving strategy, roadmap development, platform selection, detailed design, testing, and implementation into production.

As a Principal Technical Specialist, you will act as a subject matter expert in optics and future-state architecture, delivering robust solutions and mentoring junior engineers. With hands-on configuration skills and deep knowledge of optical networks, wavelength routing, and spectrum management, you'll shape the future of Optus' transmission capabilities. The role involves close collaboration with vendors, cross-functional teams, and contractors to ensure successful project delivery, with occasional out-of-hours work required.

What you'll be doing

• Define and lead future state architecture Optical strategy, platform roadmap, and lifecycle management.
• Act as Optical Domain Architect and Subject Matter Expert, driving complex network design and topology solutions.
• Prepare accurate design documentation, standards, and processes to ensure best practice and compliance.
• Select and implement platforms, tools, and automation solutions to enhance network performance and reporting.
• Manage EOL/EOS replacements and ensure reliable production network operations.
• Collaborate with vendors, stakeholders, and internal teams to resolve design issues and deliver projects on time.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and training for junior engineers, while supporting lab setup, onboarding, and technical knowledge sharing.

What makes you perfect for the role?

• Degree in Telecommunications Engineering (or related discipline) or equivalent, with strong transmission design and testing experience.
• 7+ years in telecommunications, including 3+ years in network design within a provider environment.
• Expert knowledge of DWDM, optical topologies, Nokia DWDM systems, and network planning/test tools.
• Experience in product development, customer design, and liaising with middle to senior management.
• Strong documentation skills with hands-on experience in network testing, planning, and operational procedures.
• Desirable expertise in Ciena, Infinera, Ribbon, Cisco & Nokia IP optics, coherent optics, and Carrier Ethernet networks.
• Familiarity with SDH/ATM, EoSDH/IPoDWDM, network management platforms, and Optus-specific systems and processes.

Optus is a place where we let you do you. We offer a range of benefits including:

• Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. Make life easier (and more affordable) with $80 monthly credit and 25% off Optus products and unique shopping discounts with our retail partners.
• Flexible working arrangements with opportunities to work three days in the office, two days remote or home.
• Vibrant and collaborative office campus that includes cafes, convenience store, chill out zones, GP, post office, gym and on-site childcare centre.
• Competitive leave policies, including additional 'Connected' days to focus on culture, family, health, community, or whatever's important to you.
• We support growing families with inclusive, carer-neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks.
• Direct your own development and build future-ready skills with Optus U's industry-focused micro-credentials, developed with La Trobe and Macquarie Universities.
• Build meaningful connections through employee-led networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+).
• Put your wellbeing first with free access to counselling and support services, 24/7 — in-person, by phone, SMS, or video.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying 'yes' to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. 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 in the recruitment process, please email or call We're here to help. When you contact us, please advise your preferred method of contact and we will be in touch within 48 hours.

For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit