Product Specialist Network Engineering at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

1. To provide a specialist technical service to CTIO Network Engineering/Operations/Enterprise department and Commercial/Marketing department, in terms of pre – launch product evaluations focussing primarily on voice and data testing.
2. Evaluation and Testing of products (e.g. smartphones; CPEs; Dongles); Management of product performance; Testing of new network features; Integration and Implementation of test equipment; Product performance measurement for handsets/CPEs; Interoperability testing of new technology products including wireless technologies such as GSM, UMTS, LTE, NR, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.; Advanced product problem resolution; Technology awareness (current and future; 2G -> 5G, etc.); After-market product performance monitoring, Post-launch Software evaluation; and Facilitate flow of information between various departments.

Key Performance Areas

Strategy Development:

1. Technology awareness (Current and future; GSM, UMTS, LTE, NR, WiFi …etc).
2. Understanding and investigation of current and future Wireless technologies to provide broader information base for the department and other business units within MTN.
3. Conduct the required research and evaluation of new technology concepts and keep the Product team up to date on new opportunities.
4. Assist with technical investigations into and development of best practice processes to improve End-to-End service experience. improvement.
5. Support the radio strategy and ensure that it aligns with business objectives and the strategic plans of other departments.

Planning & Delivery:

1. Pre-Launch Product testing, encompassing:
2. Acceptance Testing all devices (such as handsets, data cards, CPE modules, dongles) in line with 3GPP specifications.
3. Testing of new network features on current and future devices.
4. Advanced product problem resolution particularly post-launch to be communicated to Post Launch support, technical services and ultimately to the MTN Business Units that’s effected.
5. Product profile updates on Multi-Media Service Centre (MMSC). Requires Unix, Linux and HTML/XML knowledge.
6. Keeping a working relationship with Network Group and the RF Laboratory.
7. Communicating product strategies and priorities to all parties concerned (RF Lab, Marketing, Sales and Corporate BU’s)
8. Support Product Managers with technical inputs as part of the new product process.
9. Facilitate flow of information between various departments.
10. Determine the impact of new products on the network or how network limitations might influence new or proposed products.
11. Assistance with customer query’s regarding handset issues.
12. Product fault reporting to Technical Product Manager, and to manufacturers if necessary.
13. Keeping a working relationship with all the Suppliers.
14. Customer problem resolution on voice/data handsets.
15. Post-Launch Support, encompassing:
16. Perform Quality assurance / control on all product that is receive from the warehouse.
17. Resolve all products technical queries as last tier of customer support for Commercial sales/marketing teams.
18. Post-launch manufacturer fault resolution liaison.
19. Resolving epidemic failure of a product in the market on ad hoc basis.
20. Unlocking of network locked handsets.
21. Assist with Integration and implementation of new radio hardware, test equipment / tools, spares, network features and software jigs, etc.
22. Provide specialist assistance on interoperability testing of new technologies in reference test laboratory facility.
23. Assist with Ad Hoc special projects i.e. compile report on GSM/UMTS/LTE/NR handsets that are deployed on MTN network.
24. Implementation and maintenance of product database:
25. Assist in keeping the MTN device database up to date and error free.
26. Generating weekly/monthly reports for Management.
27. Weekly backups of the Device database.
28. Provide assistance with the compilation & update of documentation within the Test laboratory environment to ensure business continuity.
29. Contribute to the strategic execution of the Radio Technology team within Network Engineering department towards the achievement of predetermined objectives including requirements.
30. Ensure specialised technology support.

Communication and co-ordination:

1. Keeping a working relationship with Network Group, EBU, Marketing and the RF Laboratory.
2. Communicating product strategies and priorities to all parties concerned (RF Lab, Marketing, Sales and Corporate BU’s).
3. Interdepartmental liaison.
4. Collaboration with and support of other network group departments.
5. Support Product Managers with technical inputs as part of the new product process.
6. Manage vendor/OEM relations, support and interaction with customers.
7. Provide technical support and guidance to MTN staff and vendors conducting interoperability and user experience testing within the MTN Test Laboratory environment.
8. Keeping a working relationship with all vendors/ OEMs.
9. Provide Informal and Formal Mentorship and guidance to less experienced technical engineers within Test Laboratory environment.

Minimum Requirements

Education:

1. Minimum: Matric and a 3-year degree/diploma in light-current/electronics/communication engineering / BTech degree advantageous.
2. Experience
3. :At least 3 years’ experience in cellular telecommunications domain, specifically UMTS and/or LTE environment with a proven track record.
4. Device / Product / Software testing, evaluation and problem resolution background (preferred).
5. Interoperability testing of new technology products.
6. PC / Data product experience, specifically the integration of mobile products with fixed PC or Data based products.
7. Experience in Computer Systems & Databases (preferred).
8. Working in a medium to large organization.
9. Worked across diverse cultures and geographies advantageous.

Training:

1. Industry-specific training and Vendor-specific training particularly within the radio access environment (e.g. GSM/WCDMA/LTE/WiFi etc)
2. Device / Product / Software testing and evaluation
3. BAP testing and evaluation of SIM card profiles
4. Interoperability testing of new technology products (bonus)
5. Project Management Principles
6. PC training (PowerPoint; Excel, Word; Access)
7. Data Queries i.e. SQL