NCE Engineering Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: NCE Engineering Design Director

Company: Ericsson

Location: Plano, Texas, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Engineering & Operations Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-08-24T11:20:54

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and direct all RAN engineering and network operations within designated regions, ensuring operational excellence and alignment with business case objectives.

• Manage and mentor teams of RF and transport engineers responsible for network design services, including RF planning, design, and deployment for small cell and macro solutions across US, Canada, and LATAM.

• Drive strategic business development initiatives, market penetration, and provide technical support for proposals and customer presentations.

• Oversee financial targets, cost center management, and maintain high utilization/billability rates for the engineering group, ensuring project execution and client interface responsibilities are met.

• Champion an "automation first" mindset, leveraging new technologies like cloud-native solutions and infrastructure as code to enhance security, minimize impact, and drive innovation within engineering solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership role within Ericsson's NCE (Network Communication Engineering) division, focusing on the strategic direction and operational execution of RAN design and engineering services. The emphasis on "automation first," cloud-native, and infrastructure as code suggests a forward-looking approach to network design and operations, requiring a leader who can drive technological adoption and process efficiency. The scope includes extensive customer and vendor management, making strategic relationship building a critical component.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership and direct all engineering operational activities within the regions, encompassing network operations, service delivery, and offshore teams, ensuring effective execution and adherence to financial business cases.

• Lead a team of RF planning and design engineers in delivering services for all customers in the US, Canada, and LATAM, focusing on small cell and macro solutions.

• Lead a team of transport engineers in delivering transport design (IP, Microwave, Optical) and deployment for all customers across the US, Canada, and LATAM regions.

• Make informed decisions regarding design tool utilization and associated costs, including tools like MapInfo, Google Earth, ATOLL, and ESDT.

• Conduct and host meetings for design changes, upgrades, and strategic technical discussions with stakeholders.

• Support engineers in project creation and task completion to ensure the network project build plan is effectively supported.

• Assist Business Development Managers with market penetration strategies, proposal development, and technical presentations to prospective and existing customers.

• Oversee department cost center financial targets, maintain group and individual utilization/billability targets, and lead all aspects of project execution and account interface responsibilities.

• Present and deploy company policies, directives, and strategies that are applicable to the Engineering group, ensuring organizational alignment.

• Participate actively in employee development planning and competence building, aligning resource development with market direction and technology changes.

• Foster a strong, collaborative team environment that prioritizes safety, career development, and employee well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical oversight, team management, financial accountability, and strategic business development. The emphasis on specific design tools and technologies (MapInfo, ATOLL, cloud-native, IaC) indicates a need for hands-on understanding of the operational landscape, even at a director level. The requirement to support proposals and customer presentations points to a client-facing aspect of the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or other related science disciplines.

Experience: At least 8 years of experience in the telecommunications industry.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in achieving business targets and managing financial performance within an operational context.

• Technical competence in core Engineering disciplines including network dimensioning, link-budget analysis, propagation analysis, frequency & capacity management, drive testing data analysis, network optimization, network quality auditing, and network acceptance.

• Solid understanding of transport concepts with knowledge in Ericsson IP, Microwave, and Optical solutions.

• A strong understanding of the Telecom Product and Services environment, including current trends and future directions.

• Excellent leadership skills, driven by a commitment to business excellence and operational efficiency.

• Extensive experience in managing large-scale RAN Engineering projects from inception to completion.

• Expertise in designing and implementing simple, human-friendly process flows for complex operations.

• Well-developed understanding of Construction Site Configurations, RFDS, CIQ, and BOM deliverables.

• Strong leadership capabilities with a demonstrated ability to motivate, develop, and inspire high-performing teams.

• Proven track record of building and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with customers, vendors, and offshore teams toward achieving common goals. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with design tools such as MapInfo, Google Earth, ATOLL, and ESDT.

• Familiarity with cloud-native architectures and infrastructure as code (IaC) principles.

• Experience in market penetration strategies and proposal support.

• Skills in managing offshore teams and ensuring seamless integration with local operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a deep technical background in RAN and transport engineering, coupled with significant leadership and business acumen. The explicit mention of "simple, human-friendly process flows" suggests a focus on user-centric design and operational simplification, a key trait for effective operations leaders. The "automation first" mindset and mention of cloud-native/IaC point to a need for candidates who are not only proficient in current technologies but also future-oriented.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated experience in managing and optimizing complex engineering design processes, particularly in RAN and transport networks.

• Evidence of successfully implementing and scaling engineering operations, including offshore team integration and performance management.

• Examples of driving process improvements that led to measurable gains in efficiency, cost reduction, or quality enhancement.

• Case studies showcasing leadership in adopting new technologies or methodologies (e.g., automation, cloud-native) to improve engineering design outcomes.

• Documentation of strategic planning and execution for large-scale telecommunications projects, highlighting decision-making frameworks. Process Documentation:

• Showcase a portfolio that includes examples of structured workflow designs for RF planning, transport design, and network acceptance processes.

• Present documentation that illustrates the implementation of automation initiatives within engineering design or operations.

• Include examples of performance metrics and reporting dashboards used to track engineering team productivity, project delivery, and customer satisfaction.

• Demonstrate experience in creating and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) for engineering design and operational tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role, the portfolio should not just list past responsibilities but demonstrate strategic impact. Candidates should be prepared to present case studies that quantify improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and project delivery timelines, especially those related to process optimization and the adoption of new technologies like automation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Engineering Design Director roles in Plano, Texas, with 8+ years of experience and leadership responsibilities in telecommunications, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between $170,000 - $230,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the seniority of the role, the specialized technical expertise required, and the strategic impact expected.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits including choice of three medical plan options and a dental plan option. Company credits provided to offset employee contributions for medical and dental premiums for employees and eligible dependents.

• Financial Security:

  • 401(k) Plan: Automatic 3% company contribution, plus a dollar-for-dollar match on the first 3% of eligible pay and a 50-cent match on the next 2% of eligible pay (totaling up to 4% match when contributing 5%).
  • Insurance: Company-paid basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment coverage, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
  • Stock Purchase Plan: Option to participate in Ericsson’s Stock Purchase Plan.

• Time Off:

  • Vacation: Minimum of 15 days of accrued vacation annually.
  • Personal Days: Up to 3 personal days per year.
  • Holidays: 11 annual paid holidays.
  • Volunteer Time: 8 hours of paid volunteer time annually.
  • Sick Time: 80 hours of paid sick time annually.
  • Parental Leave: Up to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and 6 weeks of paid parental or adoption leave at 100% of pay.

• Additional Benefits: Financial wellness programs, educational assistance, matching gifts, and recognition programs.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this full-time role are typically 40 hours per week. However, given the leadership nature of the position and potential for international collaboration, flexibility may be required to accommodate different time zones and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on publicly available compensation data for similar roles in the Plano, Texas area, considering the specified experience level and leadership responsibilities. It's crucial to note that actual compensation will be determined by factors specific to the candidate and Ericsson's compensation policies. The detailed benefits package indicates a strong focus on employee well-being, financial planning, and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications Equipment, Network Solutions, Services. Ericsson is a global leader in telecommunications, providing infrastructure, services, and software to mobile operators and enterprises worldwide. The company is at the forefront of 5G development and deployment, driving innovation in areas like IoT, AI, and cloud solutions.

Company Size: Ericsson is a large, multinational corporation with a global presence, employing tens of thousands of individuals across numerous countries. This scale implies robust processes, structured career paths, and extensive resources.

Founded: Ericsson was founded in 1876, giving it a long history of innovation and adaptation in the telecommunications sector. This longevity suggests a stable, established company with deep industry knowledge and a commitment to long-term growth and development.

Team Structure:

• The Engineering Design Director will lead a significant operational and engineering team, likely comprising multiple sub-teams responsible for RF design, transport design, and potentially network operations support.

• This role will involve direct management of senior engineers and potentially managers, with a reporting structure that likely places them under a VP or Senior Director of Engineering/Operations within the NCE (Network Communication Engineering) division.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with Sales, Business Development, Project Management, Customer Support, and offshore delivery centers to ensure integrated service delivery and customer satisfaction. Methodology:

• Ericsson emphasizes data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in its operations. Expect a focus on leveraging analytics for performance monitoring, resource allocation, and strategic planning.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies are critical, especially with the stated "automation first" mindset. The approach will likely involve identifying bottlenecks, streamlining processes, and implementing technological solutions.

• Automation and efficiency practices are key to Ericsson's strategy, aiming to reduce manual effort, minimize errors, and accelerate service delivery in a competitive market.

Company Website: https://www.ericsson.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Ericsson's established position in the telecommunications industry means that operations roles often involve complex, large-scale projects with stringent quality and delivery requirements. The company's emphasis on innovation and digital transformation suggests that operations professionals will be at the forefront of adopting new technologies and methodologies to drive efficiency and service excellence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the Engineering and Operations domain. As an Engineering Design Director, the individual is responsible for strategic direction, team performance, financial oversight, and the successful execution of critical engineering design services. This level typically involves significant autonomy and accountability for departmental outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The Engineering Design Director will likely report to a higher-level executive, such as a Vice President or Senior Director of Engineering/Operations for the NCE (Network Communication Engineering) division or a specific regional business unit. They will, in turn, manage a team of direct reports, including senior engineers and potentially other managers.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on Ericsson's revenue and business success. By ensuring high-quality RAN and transport design, efficient service delivery, and strong customer relationships, this position contributes to customer satisfaction, contract renewals, and the company's reputation for reliability and innovation. Effective management of operational costs and resource utilization also directly influences profitability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to higher executive roles within Ericsson's global operations or engineering divisions, such as VP of Engineering, Head of Operations for a larger region, or a specialized role in areas like 5G Core or Network Automation.

• Strategic Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in emerging areas like 5G Standalone (SA) architecture, network slicing, edge computing, or advanced network automation and AI/ML applications within network operations.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to move into broader business leadership roles, leveraging operational expertise to drive strategic initiatives across different business units or product lines.

• Global Mobility: As a multinational corporation, Ericsson offers opportunities for international assignments or leadership roles in other regions, broadening global experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role in a company like Ericsson, career progression is often tied to demonstrated success in managing complex operations, driving strategic initiatives, and developing high-performing teams. The emphasis on future technologies like 5G SA and AI/ML suggests that continuous learning and adaptation will be crucial for long-term career growth within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is designated as "On-site" in Plano, Texas. This suggests a traditional office environment where collaboration, team meetings, and direct interaction with colleagues and potentially clients will be a primary mode of operation.

Office Location(s): Plano, Texas, United States. This location is a significant technology and business hub, offering access to a skilled workforce and a dynamic business environment.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely designed to foster collaboration among engineering teams, with access to necessary technical infrastructure and meeting facilities.

• Expect access to a robust IT infrastructure, including high-performance computing resources, specialized design software, and secure network access essential for telecommunications engineering.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with cross-functional teams (Sales, BD, Project Management) will be frequent, facilitating integrated problem-solving and strategic alignment.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. However, as a leadership role in a global organization, flexibility may be required to attend meetings with teams in different time zones, respond to urgent operational issues, or support critical project milestones. This might involve occasional work outside standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" designation in Plano, Texas, indicates a structured work environment. While a 40-hour work week is standard, the demands of a Director-level role in a fast-paced industry like telecommunications often require adaptability and willingness to go beyond standard hours when business needs dictate.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a VP or Senior Director) to evaluate leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and alignment with team objectives. Be prepared to discuss past leadership experiences and operational challenges.

• Panel Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders, including direct reports, peers from other departments (e.g., Sales, Business Development), and potentially senior leadership. These sessions will assess technical depth, collaboration skills, and ability to influence.

• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to prepare and present a case study on a complex engineering design or operational challenge they have successfully managed. This will evaluate problem-solving skills, strategic approach, and communication effectiveness.

• Final Interview: A concluding interview with senior leadership to confirm suitability for the role and discuss final terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project or initiative presented, clearly articulate the results using metrics. Focus on improvements in efficiency, cost savings, delivery time, quality, or customer satisfaction.

• Process Optimization Focus: Highlight instances where you identified inefficiencies in engineering design or operations and implemented solutions that improved workflows, adopted automation, or streamlined processes.

• Leadership in Action: Showcase examples of how you motivated, developed, and led teams to achieve challenging goals, particularly in complex RAN and transport design environments.

• Strategic Alignment: Demonstrate how your operational strategies and team efforts directly contributed to broader business objectives, such as market penetration, customer retention, or revenue growth.

• Tool Proficiency: If specific tools like ATOLL, MapInfo, or cloud-native technologies were central to your achievements, illustrate your proficiency and strategic application of these tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• Operational Strategy: Be ready to discuss your approach to managing large-scale engineering operations, including resource planning, performance management, and risk mitigation.

• Automation & Efficiency: Prepare to articulate your vision for leveraging automation and new technologies (cloud-native, IaC) to enhance engineering design and operational efficiency.

• Team Development: Discuss your philosophy and practical methods for building high-performing, collaborative, and motivated engineering teams.

• Customer & Vendor Management: Prepare examples of how you have successfully managed complex stakeholder relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Director role at a company like Ericsson is typically rigorous. Candidates should prepare detailed examples that demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership impact, and a deep understanding of telecommunications engineering operations. The portfolio review is a critical component, so candidates should curate their experiences to highlight achievements relevant to RAN design, transport solutions, and operational excellence.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Planning Tools: Proficiency with industry-standard RAN design and planning software such as ATOLL, MapInfo, and Google Earth is essential. Experience with Ericsson’s proprietary tools like ESDT (Ericsson Site Design Tool) would be highly advantageous.

• Transport Design Tools: Familiarity with tools and methodologies for IP, Microwave, and Optical transport network design.

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Microsoft Project for task management, workflow tracking, and project execution.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Platforms: Ability to leverage data analysis tools and techniques to interpret network performance data, drive insights, and inform strategic decisions.

• Business Intelligence Tools: Experience with BI platforms for creating dashboards and reports to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to engineering efficiency, project delivery, and customer satisfaction.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not explicitly a sales role, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) integrate with operational data for customer insights and service delivery is beneficial.

• Automation Technologies: Familiarity with concepts and tools related to cloud-native architectures, infrastructure as code (IaC), and scripting languages (e.g., Python) for automating design and operational tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of specific tools like ATOLL and ESDT, alongside broader concepts like cloud-native and IaC, indicates that Ericsson values both established industry standards and forward-thinking technological adoption. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and strategic thinking regarding these technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Efficiency: A strong commitment to delivering high-quality engineering design and operational services efficiently, with a focus on continuous improvement and cost-effectiveness.

• Innovation & Automation: Embracing new technologies and methodologies, particularly automation, cloud-native solutions, and infrastructure as code, to drive innovation and enhance operational capabilities.

• Collaboration & Customer Focus: Fostering a collaborative environment internally and building strong, trusted relationships with customers and vendors to achieve shared goals and ensure customer satisfaction.

• Safety & Development: Prioritizing the safety and well-being of employees while actively supporting their career development and competence building in line with market and technology evolution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Encouraging seamless collaboration between engineering design teams, business development, sales, project management, and customer support to ensure a unified approach to service delivery.

• Open Communication & Feedback: Promoting an environment where open communication, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing are encouraged to drive process refinement and team growth.

• Proactive Problem-Solving: A culture that encourages proactive identification of challenges and collaborative development of effective solutions, leveraging diverse perspectives from across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ericsson's culture likely reflects a blend of innovation driven by technological advancements and the disciplined execution required in the telecommunications infrastructure sector. The emphasis on "automation first" and "cloud-native" suggests a progressive outlook, while the long history of the company implies a foundation of reliability and robust processes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying ahead of the curve with rapidly advancing telecommunications technologies (e.g., 5G Advanced, future network generations) and integrating them into existing design and operational frameworks.

• Scaling Operations: Effectively scaling engineering design and operational capabilities to meet growing customer demand and complex project requirements across multiple regions.

• Driving Automation Adoption: Successfully championing and implementing "automation first" initiatives and new technologies like cloud-native solutions and IaC across diverse engineering teams, potentially overcoming resistance to change.

• Talent Development & Retention: Attracting, developing, and retaining top engineering talent in a competitive market, particularly those with expertise in advanced network technologies and automation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technology Training: Access to specialized training programs and resources on cutting-edge telecommunications technologies, including 5G SA, network slicing, AI/ML in network operations, and cloud infrastructure.

• Leadership Development Programs: Participation in Ericsson's internal leadership development initiatives, designed to enhance strategic thinking, change management, and executive presence.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend key industry events and pursue relevant certifications to stay abreast of market trends and best practices in network engineering and operations.

• Mentorship & Networking: Access to mentorship from senior leaders within Ericsson and opportunities to build a professional network across global teams and industry partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for leadership roles in the dynamic telecommunications sector, requiring a proactive and adaptable leader. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering clear paths for professional development and career advancement within a global technology leader.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operational Vision: "Describe your vision for an advanced RAN engineering design and operations function in the next 3-5 years, incorporating automation and cloud-native principles." Prepare to discuss specific technologies, process changes, and team structures.

• Team Leadership & Development: "How do you build and motivate high-performing engineering teams, especially when managing diverse skill sets and potentially offshore resources? Provide examples of your approach to talent development and career progression."

• Process Optimization & Automation: "Walk us through a time you identified a significant inefficiency in an engineering or operational process and successfully implemented an automated solution. What was the impact?" Be ready to detail the problem, your solution, and the quantifiable results.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Ericsson's Role in 5G: "How do you see Ericsson's role in the evolving 5G landscape, and how would your leadership contribute to that?" Research current Ericsson 5G initiatives and market position.

• Collaboration Philosophy: "Describe your approach to fostering collaboration between engineering, sales, and business development teams to ensure alignment on customer needs and project delivery."

• Data-Driven Decision Making: "How do you utilize data and analytics to drive operational improvements and strategic decisions within an engineering function? Provide an example."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Impact-Focused Narrative: Structure your portfolio presentation around key achievements, focusing on the problem, your strategic approach, the actions taken (especially those involving leadership and process improvement), and the quantifiable results achieved.

• Automation Case Study: Dedicate a significant portion to a case study showcasing your implementation of automation or new technologies that led to tangible efficiency gains or improved service delivery.

• Stakeholder Management: Be prepared to discuss how you managed challenging stakeholder relationships (customers, vendors, internal teams) and achieved positive outcomes.

• Adaptability & Future-Readiness: Highlight examples that demonstrate your ability to adapt to changing technologies and market demands, aligning with Ericsson's focus on innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific, quantifiable examples that align with Ericsson's stated values (automation, efficiency, collaboration) and technological focus (cloud-native, IaC) will be critical. Candidates should be ready to articulate their strategic thinking and leadership philosophy in detail.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and any accompanying documents to highlight experience in RAN engineering, network operations, strategic leadership, and process automation, using keywords from the job description. Prepare to articulate specific achievements related to design tools, transport solutions, and team management.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly showcases your 8+ years of telecommunications experience, leadership accomplishments, and technical expertise in the required areas. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your leadership philosophy, strategic approach to operations, and specific examples of driving efficiency and innovation. Prepare to present a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your impact.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Ericsson's current initiatives, particularly in 5G, cloud-native solutions, and automation. Understand their market position and values to better align your responses during interviews.

⚠️ 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.