Network Solution Architect

In our world things change by the millisecond

We build the technology that creates amazing moments and better connects our customers. Ready to play your part? Join us and Be Phenomenal. Working towards the same shared goal of better connectivity, our tech teams enjoy a high degree of freedom. We love hearing ideas and seeing them come to life. With great resources, you’ll get to be part of a team at the foundations of the transformation of our business. Who knows what the next innovation will be? That’s what makes a career at Three so exciting.

Since we set foot in Ireland, we’ve done things differently

Investing in infrastructure, we built a network that now connects 2.2 million customers nationwide, carrying more data than all alternative telecommunications providers combined. We take the script and rip it up, we’re a big-hearted energetic bunch, striving for a better connected life. We encourage our employees to face their weaknesses, to really open themselves up to new tasks and projects in a super-charged and rich learning environment. We want you to become the best version of yourself.

Join us as a Network Solution Architect

We are seeking a highly accomplished Network Solution Architect to lead the end-to-end strategy, architecture, solution governance and design of our Core Network, OSS, Service Layer and IoT/ICT domains and services.

As a member of the Network Solutions team, you will shape future technology roadmaps, develop end-to-end solution designs, perform impact assessments and provide technical and commercial recommendations that support investment decisions and business outcomes.

The ideal candidate will possess a broad telecoms skillset spanning Nokia Circuit Switched Core, Ericsson Packet Core and 5G Core, IMS, Service Layer, OSS and observability, IoT/ICT, and cloud-native technologies. You will architect the integration of these capabilities across IT/BSS, operational, security and vendor ecosystems.

The role acts as a trusted technology advisor across multiple business domains, ensuring solutions are technically robust, secure, resilient, commercially viable, operationally supportable, and aligned with strategic objectives.

What else it involves:

• Network Strategy & Roadmap Evolution: Own, drive and continuously evolve technology roadmaps across Core Network, OSS, Service Layer and IoT/ICT. Translate business strategy, product roadmaps, regulatory commitments, capacity forecasts and operational objectives into investment-ready, multi-year technology plans.
• End-to-End Solution Architecture & Design Authority: Produce High-Level Solution Designs (HLSDs), Detailed Network Analyses (DNAs), architectural assessments and solution recommendations. Design end-to-end solutions spanning network, OSS, service, cloud, security and operational domains, and act as Design Authority for assigned initiatives.
• OSS & Observability Architecture: Design and optimise integration with Ericsson ENM/ENIQ, Nokia MantaRay, Viavi Nitro, SolarWinds, SevOne and future assurance, analytics and automation platforms to deliver comprehensive operational visibility.
• Service Layer Architecture: Provide architectural leadership across messaging, voicemail, policy control, service enablement and API exposure platforms, ensuring customer-facing and network-facing services are secure, scalable and aligned with product strategy.
• Mobile Core & Multi-Generation Evolution: Drive architecture evolution across 2G, 3G, 4G, EPC, IMS and 5G Core, including cloud-native migration, network simplification, resilience and service continuity across voice, messaging, roaming and data.
• IoT & ICT Solution Architecture: Provide architectural leadership for IoT and ICT solutions across enterprise, wholesale and consumer propositions, including IoT connectivity, device management, private networks, enterprise connectivity and API ecosystems.
• Commercial Evaluation & Investment Assurance: Lead Impact Assessments, DNAs and solution option evaluations. Assess technical, operational, security, delivery and commercial impacts. Develop high-level cost models, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) assessments and investment recommendations. Support business cases, governance approvals and funding decisions through balanced technical and commercial analysis. Challenge vendor proposals, evaluate solution economics and ensure recommendations deliver sustainable business value and strategic alignment.
• Technical Governance, Procurement & Supplier Management: Lead technical evaluations, RFPs, RFIs, proofs of concept and vendor assessments. Evaluate proposals across capability, operational impact, risk and commercial value, and support supplier selection, contract renewals, strategic sourcing and negotiations.
• Security, Resilience & Compliance: Ensure solutions meet security, resilience and regulatory requirements. Identify and manage architectural risks, lifecycle concerns, and technical debt.
• Stakeholder Leadership: Influence senior stakeholders through clear technical and commercial recommendations. Partner with Product, Commercial, Operations, Security, Delivery, Procurement, IT/BSS and vendors to shape and deliver solutions.

The Skills were looking for:

Technical Expertise:

• Mobile Core: Deep architectural knowledge of CS Core, EPC, 5G Core and IMS, including Nokia CS Core and Ericsson Packet Core/5GC environments.
• Service Layer: Experience with SMSC, voicemail, MMSC, IP-SM-GW, messaging, policy control, service enablement and API exposure platforms.
• OSS & Observability: Proven experience with telecom management, assurance and analytics platforms including Ericsson ENM/ENIQ, Nokia MantaRay, Viavi Nitro, SolarWinds and SevOne.
• IoT & ICT: Experience with IoT connectivity and core architecture, device management, enterprise connectivity, APN and private network solutions, VPN services and partner API ecosystems.
• Protocols & Standards: Strong knowledge of 3GPP standards and telecom protocols including MAP, ISUP, Diameter, GTP-C/U, PFCP, HTTP/2 SBA and SIP.
• Cloud & Automation: Solid understanding of NFV/SDN, OpenStack, Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure automation and cloud-native telecom platforms.
• Transport & Security: Strong alignment with BGP, OSPF, MPLS, Segment Routing, IPSec, TLS and Zero Trust architecture.

Experience & Soft Skills:

• Experience: Minimum 8 years in telecommunications engineering, including at least 3 years in a solution architecture, design authority, lead design or technology leadership role within an operator, systems integrator or major telecom vendor.
• Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to translate business forecasts, strategic objectives and technical debt into actionable technology roadmaps and investment recommendations.
• Commercial & Business Acumen: Strong impact assessment, solution costing, TCO, business case and commercial evaluation experience. Able to challenge supplier proposals and balance technical excellence with business value.
• Supplier & Procurement Experience: Experience supporting supplier selection, procurement activities, RFPs, contract negotiations and contract renewals.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent written, verbal and executive communication skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional discussions and influence senior stakeholders.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Telecommunications, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent practical experience.

Success Measures:

• Deliver high-quality architecture and design outputs.
• Produce robust Impact Assessments, DNAs and clear solution recommendations.
• Influence strategic technology and investment decisions.
• Drive simplification, automation and cost optimisation.
• Ensure solutions are secure, resilient, compliant and commercially sustainable.
• Support successful delivery of strategic transformation and growth initiatives.

Benefits of Working at Three

• Flexible working with our new Hybrid model, our employees will enjoy more flexibility working from home and our office locations (3 days per week office based). Please see job description for the office location of this role.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus & pension contribution
• 25 days holidays plus 2.5 company days
• Annual Leave buy or sell (buy or sell up to 5 days AL each year)
• Healthcare Insurance through our flexible benefits programme
• Life assurance, phone & laptop, subsidized canteen
• Access to learning & development tools such as Coursera
• Free on-site parking

There’s a lot more to us than meets the eye.

You may think you know us, but we’re full of surprises. Intrigued? Join us and Be Phenomenal.

Apply now at: https://www.three.ie/careers #Jobs

At Three, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. As Ireland’s largest mobile telecommunications provider, we provide a better connected life for our diverse customer base, and want our teams to reflect this. We welcome and celebrate all identities and strive to create a culture of belonging where employees can thrive as their authentic selves. If you do not ‘tick every box’ in this job description, you likely have other valuable skills that would make you a great fit for one of our teams. If you feel this role is for you, then please apply! #Jobs

If you require reasonable adjustments for your interview, please let us know when scheduling your interview, or alternatively, please email aoife.omeara@three.ie Apply now at Three, a Phenomenal career awaits!