Core Engineer - National at Frogfoot Networks (Pty) Ltd

Job Description

• Frogfoot is seeking a Core Engineer to join the Engineering team.

Purpose of the Role

• As a Core Engineer at Frogfoot, you'll play a key role in designing, operating, maintaining, and optimising our national carrier-grade core network. You'll ensure the stability, performance, and availability of our IP and optical transmission infrastructure while supporting the delivery of reliable, high-quality connectivity to our customers.
• Working closely with internal teams, vendors, and service providers, you'll contribute to network growth, continuous improvement initiatives, and technical projects that enable Frogfoot to deliver world-class fibre connectivity and carrier solutions.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Network Operations & Engineering

• Design, implement and maintain carrier-grade IP and optical transmission networks.
• Configure, commission and support core network infrastructure.
• Perform network capacity planning and optimisation to ensure network scalability.
• Maintain network availability and proactively identify potential risks.

Service Delivery

• Provision, commission and maintain services on the transmission, IP Core and IPT networks.
• Support customer service activation and complex technical implementations.
• Evaluate technical solution requirements for bespoke customer requirements.

Fault Management

• Investigate, troubleshoot and resolve complex network faults, in the event of escalations to the Core team.
• Assist with providing technical inputs for root cause analysis following major incidents.
• Escalate and coordinate technical issues with vendors where required.
• Participate in major incident response and restoration activities.

Network Optimisation

• Continuously improve network performance and resilience.
• Recommend infrastructure upgrades and design improvements.
• Maintain best practices for managing vulnerability and risk associated with network device firmware, system versions, and remote access to network devices through approved access authorization solutions.
• Implement network enhancements through approved change management processes.

Technical Documentation

• Produce and maintain accurate network documentation.
• Update network diagrams, topology maps and operational procedures.
• Document technical solutions and standard operating procedures.

Project Implementation

• Lead network expansion, standardization and optimization projects.
• Participate in technology evaluations and proof of concepts.
• Support vendor integration and equipment commissioning.

Collaboration

• Work closely with NOC, Field Operations, Service Delivery and Product teams.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to Product team on new product development initiatives.
• Engage with vendors and third-party service providers.
• Provide technical guidance, internal training and mentorship where required.

What You’ll Need to Have

Qualifications

• Degree, Diploma or National Certificate in Information Technology, Computer Networks, Electronic Engineering or a related field.
• Relevant networking certifications will be advantageous (e.g. JNCIA/JNCIP, CCNA/CCNP, MEF, Nokia, Ciena or equivalent).

Experience

• 5+ years' experience within a carrier, ISP or telecommunications environment.
• Experience supporting carrier-grade IP and transmission networks.
• Proven experience working within a Core Network Engineering environment.

Technical Knowledge

You'll have strong working knowledge of:

• Layer 1 fibre characteristics, testing and best practices.
• DWDM and optical transmission technologies.
• Switching and routing.
• MPLS, Segment Routing (SR-MPLS), VPLS and EVPN.
• VLAN, QinQ and VXLAN.
• MEF service provisioning.
• Optical budgets and transmission planning.
• Carrier network design (OSI Layers 1–3).
• Network monitoring and element management systems.
• Capacity planning and optimisation.
• Network change management.
• Advanced fault finding and root cause analysis.

Vendor technologies including:

• ADVA / Adtran
• Juniper
• Ciena
• Extreme Networks
• MikroTik
• Calix
• Accedian
• Nokia (advantageous)
• Automation and scripting experience will be advantageous.

Skills That Will Help You Succeed

• Excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Strong networking and engineering capability.
• Critical thinking and sound technical judgement.
• Effective planning and prioritisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Experience using ticketing systems.
• Network diagramming using Visio, Lucidchart or Draw.io
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong customer service mindset.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams.

Qualities We Value at Frogfoot

At Frogfoot, we look for people who are:

• Customer-focused and committed to delivering exceptional service.
• Curious and always looking for smarter ways to solve problems.
• Collaborative and supportive team players.
• Accountable for delivering quality outcomes.
• Adaptable in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Passionate about technology and continuous learning.
• Honest, respectful and committed to doing the right thing.

How Success Is Measured

Success in this role will be measured by your ability to:

• Maintain high core network availability and reliability.
• Meet network uptime and service availability targets.
• Resolve incidents within agreed SLA timeframes.
• Successfully deliver planned network changes with minimal service impact.
• Improve network performance and capacity through optimisation initiatives.
• Produce accurate and up-to-date technical documentation.
• Deliver projects and implementations within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Reduce recurring network incidents through proactive improvements.
• Build effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, customers and vendors.
• Demonstrate continuous technical growth and contribute to operational excellence.

Closing Date 21 August 2026