Position
The DWDM Network Architect is a full-time role and will be part of the Engineering & IT team.
Location
Based in our offices in Auckland, New Zealand.
Overview
In relation to BWD optical network expansion over APAC region, we are seeking a DWDM Network Architect to define, validate, implement and evolve the end-to-end optical architecture for BWD’s subsea and regional backhaul networks. The role spans SLTE and line system design, spectrum sharing and open-cable integrations, vendor solution evaluation, and hands-on leadership through lab, field trials, migration and commissioning. You will act as BWD technical authority, challenging vendor designs, ensuring standards compliance, and safeguarding performance and reliability from concept through acceptance and handover to operations.
Key Responsibilities
The DWDM Network Architect has the following key responsibilities:
- Own the subsea DWDM/ROADM optical architecture and design rules (spectrum plan, baud rates, modulations, FEC, channel spacing, guard bands).
- Review optical budgets for unrepeatered and repeatered spans, including OSNR/Q-margin, non-linear penalties and margin policies.
- Define SLTE-to-wet-plant interface requirements for open cable and spectrum-leasing scenarios (e.g., spectrum sharing, alien wavelengths).
- Review and challenge vendor design packages: BOMs, rack elevations, span engineering, ROADM layouts, amplification strategies (EDFA/Raman/hybrid).
- Guide and review L0 Control Plane design (colorless/directionless contentionless), Flex-Grid migrations and automation strategy via optical controllers.
- Author and approve engineering MOPs (EMOPs) for in-service capacity reconfigurations, migrations and upgrades.
- Oversee and approve/review segment commissioning, acceptance testing and performance baselining (FAT, SAT, IST) culminating in service acceptance.
- Define, implement and upgrade secure and resilient NMS/Controller architectures and operational runbooks for NOC, including change control and rollback strategies.
- Support capacity planning, spectrum trading strategy, and lifecycle evolution (new coherent generations, controller upgrades).
- Mentor engineers; provide structured knowledge transfer and training to operations teams and partners.
- Provide technical support and guidance to NOC and field operations staff.
Qualifications & Experiences
- Mandatory Requirements:
- 8–12+ years in optical transport with significant subsea DWDM/OTN experience (design and deployment).
- Deep knowledge of coherent optics and line system engineering (e.g., Flex-Grid, ROADMs, L0 control, spectrum engineering).
- Hands-on experience with SLTE platforms and optical controllers/NMS (e.g., vendor controllers for submarine/terrestrial integration).
- Proven track record delivering site commissioning, segment activation and network migrations on live systems.
- Working familiarity with relevant standards and models (e.g., ITU-T G.694.1/.2, G.709, GN-model usage, open-cable specifications).
- Expertise using optical test equipment (OSA, power meters, coherent analyzers) and interpreting performance metrics.
- Strong documentation and stakeholder management skills; ability to lead vendors and partners through design acceptance.
- Excellent written and verbal communication in English.
- Preferably but not Mandatory
- Experience with open-cable/spectrum-leasing commercial and technical constructs.
- Background across multiple vendor ecosystems (e.g., Ciena/Nokia/Adtran/ASN) and interop.
- Automation exposure (e.g., Ansible/SDN workflows) for configuration and turn-up.
- Prior work on Asia–Pacific subsea systems and landing station environments.
- What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Insurances
- Wellbeing benefits
- Good life balance
- Opportunities for professional development
- A supportive work environment
