Lead Designer - IP

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Designer - IP

Company: Singtel Group (Optus)

Location: Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia (Open to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Technology / Network Design & Architecture (Operations Focus)

Date Posted: April 29, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for leading the design and implementation of sophisticated inventory and service order management solutions specifically tailored for IP and transport networks.

• It acts as a vital bridge between business needs and technical execution, ensuring efficient network build, planning, and operational processes are established and maintained.

• The position demands strong technical leadership in inventory management, service fulfilment platforms, and network resource management, aligning solutions with enterprise architecture and tooling strategies.

• This role requires deep expertise in translating complex business requirements into robust technical designs and driving the delivery of integrated solutions through cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Lead Designer - IP," the core responsibilities and requirements indicate a strong operational focus on network inventory and service order management systems. This role is about designing the systems that enable efficient network operations and service delivery, rather than purely network engineering or IP infrastructure design. The "Operations" category is added to highlight this functional alignment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end inventory management and service order management solutions that effectively support IP and transport networks.

• Translate business requirements into detailed technical solutions, ensuring alignment with the organization's reference architecture and enterprise architecture standards.

• Provide deep subject matter expertise on inventory, network resource management, and service fulfilment platforms to guide design and implementation.

• Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including architects, engineers, developers, and vendors, to deliver integrated and effective technical solutions.

• Evaluate, prototype, and recommend inventory and service fulfilment technologies through Proofs of Concept (PoCs) and feasibility assessments to drive innovation.

• Define current and target state architectures, developing phased implementation and transition plans to ensure successful adoption and integration.

• Lead the solution implementation process, producing comprehensive technical documentation that adheres to industry standards such as TM Forum and ITIL.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic design and hands-on leadership in implementing complex systems within a telecommunications context. The focus on "end-to-end" solutions, "reference architecture," and "phased implementation plans" points to a structured approach to operational system design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in solution design, technical consulting, systems integration, or specialized roles within inventory/asset management or service order management systems.

Required Skills:

• Solution Design: Expertise in designing comprehensive technical solutions for complex operational systems.

• Inventory Management: Strong understanding of inventory management principles, asset lifecycle management, and related operational processes.

• Service Order Management: Deep knowledge of service order management systems and their role in network operations and service delivery.

• Technical Consulting & Systems Integration: Proven ability to consult on technical aspects and integrate disparate systems effectively.

• Integration Technologies: Proficiency with integration technologies including REST APIs, SOAP, ETL tools, and middleware platforms.

• Networking Technologies: Foundational understanding of networking technologies relevant to IP and transport networks.

• Telecommunications/ISP Environments: Experience working within telecommunications, ISP, or large-scale network operational settings.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Ability to lead and guide diverse teams towards a common technical objective.

• Technical Documentation: Skill in producing clear, comprehensive technical documentation aligned with industry standards.

Preferred Skills:

• TM Forum & ITIL: Familiarity with TM Forum standards and ITIL frameworks for service management and operations.

• Prototyping & PoCs: Experience in conducting Proofs of Concept and feasibility assessments for new technologies.

• Architecture Definition: Ability to define both current and target state architectures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements underscore a need for a technically adept individual with substantial experience in designing and implementing operational systems within the demanding telecommunications sector. The emphasis on integration technologies and architectural alignment is key for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Solution Design Case Studies: Demonstrate successful design and implementation of complex operational systems, detailing the problem, solution, and impact.

• Process Optimization Examples: Showcase instances where your designs led to improved efficiency, reduced errors, or streamlined workflows in inventory management or service order processes.

• System Integration Architectures: Include diagrams or descriptions of system integrations you have designed, highlighting the technologies used and the challenges overcome.

• ROI Demonstration: Present examples where your technical solutions have contributed to measurable business outcomes, such as cost savings, faster service delivery, or improved network reliability.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Provide examples of how you have documented and optimized operational workflows related to network inventory and service order management.

• Implementation & Automation: Showcase documentation related to the implementation of new systems or features, ideally highlighting any automation aspects.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Include examples of how you have defined metrics and analyzed the performance of implemented solutions to ensure ongoing effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Lead Designer" role with a strong operations component, a portfolio demonstrating practical application of design principles in real-world operational scenarios is crucial. The focus should be on how designs translate into tangible improvements in network operations and service delivery efficiency, supported by clear documentation and metrics.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Competitive Remuneration: A competitive salary package is offered.

• Employee Discounts: Significant discounts on Optus products and services.

• Monthly Credit: AUD $80 monthly credit towards Optus products.

• Additional Leave: Paid 'Connected' days to focus on personal development, family, health, or community initiatives.

• Parental Leave: Up to 16 weeks of paid, carer-neutral parental leave.

• Professional Development: Access to Optus U's industry-focused micro-credentials developed with La Trobe and Macquarie Universities for skill enhancement.

• Employee Networks: Opportunities to connect through employee-led networks focused on diversity and inclusion (Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network, Express Yourself).

• Wellbeing Support: Free, 24/7 access to confidential counselling and support services (in-person, phone, SMS, video).

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Optus generally promotes a culture that balances work and personal life, which may include some flexibility where operationally feasible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on publicly available data for similar roles in Australia. The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing employee well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance, which are attractive to operations professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications and Digital Services. Optus operates as a major player in the Australian market, providing a wide range of services including mobile, broadband, and digital solutions, which inherently involves complex network operations and service delivery systems.

Company Size: Large Enterprise. Singtel Group and its subsidiary Optus are significant organizations with a substantial employee base, indicating a structured environment with established processes and career pathways. This size also means a high volume of network activity and potential for large-scale operational challenges.

Founded: Optus was founded in 1981, with Singtel acquiring a majority stake in 1997. This history suggests a company with established infrastructure, long-term strategies, and a mature approach to technology and operations.

Team Structure:

• Operations-focused Design Team: This role likely sits within a broader technology or engineering division, specifically focused on the design and architecture of operational support systems (OSS) and business support systems (BSS) for network infrastructure.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The team structure emphasizes collaboration with various departments, including network engineers, IT architects, development teams, vendor management, and business stakeholders, to ensure integrated solutions.

• Reporting: The Lead Designer is expected to provide technical leadership and may report into a Head of Architecture, Head of Network Operations Systems, or a similar senior management position within the technology division.

Methodology:

• Reference Architecture Alignment: Designs must conform to established reference architectures and enterprise architecture principles.

• Data-Driven Design: Leveraging data and insights from network operations and service fulfilment is crucial for designing effective solutions.

• Agile & Iterative Development: While not explicitly stated, large telecommunications companies often adopt agile methodologies for system development and implementation, involving iterative design, prototyping, and phased rollouts.

• Industry Standards Integration: Adherence to industry best practices and standards (TM Forum, ITIL) is a key part of the design methodology.

Company Website: https://www.optus.com.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights a large, established telecommunications provider where operational efficiency and robust system design are paramount. The emphasis on architecture, cross-functional collaboration, and industry standards is typical for such organizations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the technology and operations domain, specifically focused on the strategic design and architectural aspects of critical network support systems. It's a leadership role that requires significant technical depth and the ability to influence technical direction.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Designer will likely report to a Director or Head of Network Architecture/Operations Systems. They will be responsible for guiding and influencing technical teams (engineers, architects, developers) and collaborating closely with product managers and operational stakeholders to ensure solutions meet business and technical requirements.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial, directly influencing the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of Optus's IP and transport network operations. Effective inventory and service order management are foundational to accurate network planning, efficient service provisioning, timely fault resolution, and ultimately, customer satisfaction and revenue generation. The designs created will have a long-lasting effect on operational costs and service delivery capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of network operations systems, such as inventory management, service orchestration, or network automation.

• Architectural Leadership: Progress into broader enterprise architecture roles, influencing the overall technology strategy for the network domain.

• Management Track: Transition into managing design teams or operational system development groups, leading larger initiatives and teams.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to industry standards bodies (e.g., TM Forum) by bringing practical experience and insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within a large telecommunications organization, allowing for both deep technical specialization in operational systems and potential progression into broader architectural or managerial roles. The impact on core business operations is a significant aspect of this position.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily based on-site, indicating a need for physical presence in one of Optus's main office locations (Macquarie Park, Sydney; Melbourne; or Brisbane). This environment typically fosters collaboration and provides access to necessary resources.

Office Location(s):

• Macquarie Park, NSW: A major business hub in Sydney, offering state-of-the-art facilities and a professional working environment.

• Melbourne, VIC: Another key location for Optus, likely with similar professional amenities.

• Brisbane, QLD: Providing geographical flexibility for candidates in Queensland.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment is expected to include collaborative work areas, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated project spaces to facilitate teamwork.

• Technology-Rich Environment: Employees will have access to Optus's extensive technological infrastructure, including necessary hardware, software, and network access for design and development work.

• Team Interaction: The on-site nature facilitates regular face-to-face interactions with colleagues, fostering stronger working relationships and more dynamic problem-solving sessions.

Work Schedule:

• A standard full-time work schedule is anticipated. While the role is on-site, Optus's commitment to employee well-being and potentially flexible work policies may allow for some degree of schedule adjustment, provided operational needs and collaboration requirements are met. This flexibility is often beneficial for deep analytical work common in design roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for direct collaboration and access to physical resources, typical for roles involving complex design and integration within large organizations. The mention of multiple city options enhances flexibility for candidates.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with basic requirements, focusing on experience in solution design, inventory/service order management, and telecommunications.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions covering your experience with IP/transport networks, inventory and service order management systems, integration technologies (APIs, SOAP, ETL), and architectural principles. Expect questions on how you've translated business needs into technical designs.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session to present specific case studies from your portfolio. This will likely involve explaining a complex design challenge, your approach, the solution implemented, and the resulting impact (efficiency gains, cost savings, etc.). Be prepared to discuss your role in cross-functional teams.

• Scenario-Based Questions: You may be presented with hypothetical design challenges related to inventory management or service order flows for IP networks and asked to outline your approach to solving them.

• Cultural Fit & Team Interaction: Interviews with potential team members and hiring managers to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Optus's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Operations Impact: Curate examples that clearly demonstrate how your designs improved operational efficiency, reduced errors, or enabled new service capabilities within network inventory or service order management.

• Detail Your Process: For each case study, articulate your step-by-step design process, from requirements gathering and architecture definition to implementation guidance and documentation.

• Quantify Results: Wherever possible, use metrics to showcase the tangible benefits of your solutions (e.g., "reduced provisioning time by X%", "decreased inventory discrepancies by Y%", "enabled Z% increase in service deployment speed").

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize your role in leading cross-functional teams and communicating technical concepts effectively to diverse stakeholders.

• Architecture Diagrams: Include clear, well-annotated architecture diagrams that illustrate system components, integrations, and data flows.

Challenge Preparation:

• System Design Scenarios: Practice designing solutions for common telecommunications operational challenges, such as optimizing the process for provisioning a new IP service or managing network inventory updates in a dynamic environment.

• API Integration Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would design integrations between different systems (e.g., CRM, inventory, network element management) using REST APIs or other standard methods.

• TM Forum/ITIL Application: Be ready to discuss how you would apply principles from TM Forum or ITIL to design more robust and efficient operational systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes practical demonstration of design skills and operational impact through a portfolio and scenario-based questions. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process, technical choices, and the business value of their work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Architecture Tools: Visio, Lucidchart, Draw.io, or similar for creating architectural diagrams, flowcharts, and system designs.

• Inventory Management Systems: Experience with or understanding of enterprise-level inventory management platforms (specific vendor names might vary, but the concepts of resource inventory, capacity management, and configuration management are key).

• Service Order Management (SOM) / Order Management Systems (OMS): Familiarity with systems that manage the lifecycle of customer service orders from initiation to fulfillment.

• Network Management Systems (NMS): Understanding of how inventory and order management integrate with NMS for operational execution.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: While not a primary analyst role, understanding how to leverage data from these systems for design insights is crucial. Familiarity with SQL for data querying or BI tools like Tableau/Power BI for understanding system performance metrics would be beneficial.

• Reporting Tools: Experience with tools that generate reports on inventory accuracy, order fulfillment rates, and system performance.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Understanding of how CRM data (customer orders, service requests) interfaces with inventory and order management systems.

• Integration Platforms/Middleware: Experience with middleware solutions, ESBs (Enterprise Service Buses), or API gateways that facilitate communication between different enterprise systems.

• APIs (REST/SOAP): Direct experience in designing or specifying API integrations for system-to-system communication.

• ETL Tools: Familiarity with Extract, Transform, Load tools for data migration or integration purposes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is centered around systems critical for network operations support. Proficiency in design tools, understanding of specific OSS/BSS concepts, and expertise in integration technologies are paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency & Optimization: A core value driving the design of systems that streamline processes, reduce manual effort, and minimize operational costs.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using data and analytics to inform design choices, measure impact, and continuously improve operational systems.

• Collaboration & Partnership: A culture that values strong working relationships with cross-functional teams (engineering, IT, business) to ensure solutions are holistic and well-integrated.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging the exploration of new technologies and methodologies to enhance network operations and service delivery capabilities.

• Customer Focus: Ultimately, designs should contribute to improved service delivery and customer experience, even if indirectly through efficient operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The team actively collaborates with various departments, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued to create comprehensive solutions.

• Process Review Culture: Openness to feedback and iterative refinement of designs and processes through regular reviews and discussions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A commitment to sharing expertise and best practices within the team and across the organization, often facilitated through documentation and internal workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values align with a professional, technically driven environment focused on operational excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement, which are key attributes for successful operations professionals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of IP/Transport Networks: Designing solutions for highly complex, dynamic, and large-scale IP and transport networks requires deep technical understanding and foresight.

• Integration with Legacy Systems: Balancing the need for modern solutions with the reality of integrating with existing, potentially older, operational support systems.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in networking technology and operational support systems to ensure designs remain future-proof.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Managing diverse requirements and expectations from various business units, technical teams, and vendors.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Architecture Training: Opportunities to pursue certifications or advanced training in enterprise architecture, solution design, or specific network technologies.

• Industry Conferences & Standards: Participation in industry events and working groups (e.g., TM Forum) to stay abreast of trends and contribute to standards development.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior architects and leaders for guidance and career development support.

• Exposure to New Technologies: Opportunities to work with cutting-edge technologies in network automation, AI for operations, and advanced analytics.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges tied to the complexity of telecommunications infrastructure, offering substantial opportunities for professional growth and skill development in a rapidly evolving field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Philosophy: "Describe your approach to designing an end-to-end inventory management system for a complex IP network. What are the key considerations?" (Focus on modularity, scalability, data integrity, and integration points).

• Problem Solving & Integration: "Walk me through a challenging system integration project you led. What were the primary obstacles, and how did you overcome them using technologies like REST APIs or middleware?" (Highlight your problem-solving process and technical expertise).

• Architecture & Requirements: "How do you ensure your technical designs effectively translate business requirements while aligning with enterprise architecture standards? Provide an example." (Emphasize your ability to bridge the gap between business and technology).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Operational Impact: "How do you see inventory and service order management systems contributing to Optus's overall business objectives and customer satisfaction?" (Connect your work to business outcomes).

• Team Collaboration: "Describe a situation where you had to lead a cross-functional team to deliver a complex technical solution. What was your role, and how did you manage differing opinions?" (Showcase leadership and collaboration skills).

• Industry Standards: "How do you incorporate industry standards like TM Forum or ITIL into your design process to ensure robust and maintainable solutions?" (Demonstrate awareness of best practices).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: Use a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework to clearly present your projects. Focus on the "Action" (your design process and technical choices) and "Result" (quantifiable operational improvements).

• Visual Aids: Use clear, concise diagrams and screenshots to illustrate your designs and system integrations.

• Focus on "Why": Articulate the rationale behind your design decisions. Why did you choose a particular technology or approach? What trade-offs did you consider?

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your specific contributions, technical challenges, and the metrics you used to measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of operational systems design within a telecommunications context, highlighting problem-solving skills, collaborative experience, and the ability to articulate technical solutions and their business impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Designer - IP position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Singtel Group careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your most relevant experience in solution design for IP/transport networks, inventory management, service order management, and systems integration within telecommunications or similar industries.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, technical proficiencies (APIs, SOAP, ETL, etc.), and specific achievements related to process optimization and system implementation. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Preparation: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best showcase your skills in designing operational systems, demonstrating clear problem-solving, technical execution, and quantifiable results. Be ready to present these in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Optus's services, network infrastructure, and brand values. Understand their commitment to technology and customer service to better align your responses with their strategic goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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