Principal, Networks Data and Analytics

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

As Principal – Network Data & Analytics, you'll lead the strategic development and implementation of Optus' Networks Unified Data Bus, leveraging large-scale network, customer, and operational datasets. This role is pivotal in driving actionable insights that optimise network performance, enhance customer experience, and enable innovation across the telecommunications ecosystem.

Blending deep analytical expertise with telco domain knowledge, you'll support data-driven decision-making across the Networks division, while mentoring a high-performing team and influencing enterprise-wide data and AI initiatives.

The day to day

• Designing and building scalable, secure data architecture including the Networks Unified Data Bus, Network Data Lake, and Network Knowledge Graph.
• Developing and maintaining network data products and a comprehensive data catalogue.
• Creating advanced analytics models to identify performance bottlenecks and customer experience gaps.
• Embedding data insights into operational workflows across Engineering, Service Assurance, and Customer Experience teams.
• Owning the strategy and roadmap for data analytics platforms and tools within Networks.
• Governing data quality, lineage, and compliance across all network data sources.
• Translating complex data into executive-level insights and strategic recommendations.
• Mentoring and leading a team of data scientists, engineers, and analysts.
• Managing vendor relationships and external partnerships related to data platforms and analytics.
• Driving continuous improvement through automation and predictive analytics.

What You'll Bring

• Proven leadership in data analytics within telecommunications or network operations.
• Expertise in big data platforms (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, Kafka), cloud services (AWS, Azure), and data visualisation tools.
• Strong background in event-driven architecture, graph analytics, and AI/ML.
• Deep literacy in telecom datasets including inventory, topology, configuration, assurance, and domain-specific data across RAN/IP/Transport/Core/Telco Cloud.
• Solid understanding of network technologies and customer experience metrics.
• Experience building and scaling enterprise data platforms.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Strategic thinking with a bias for execution and innovation.
• Familiarity with AI/ML applications in network optimisation.

The good stuff …

• 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.
• Free Optus bus from Macquarie University Metro Station (every 6-8 minutes); morning and afternoon.

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