Core & Transport Technical SME
Description
About Zinkworks
Zinkworks partners with leading Telecommunications and Financial Services organizations to modernize legacy systems, migrate mission-critical platforms to the cloud, and engineer AI-driven automation. From OSS transformation to rApp development and network intelligence, our teams simplify complexity and turn it into competitive advantage. Based in Ireland and operating across the EU, UK, and US, Zinkworks combines deep domain expertise with delivery excellence to help clients modernize faster and operate smarter.
The Role
As the Core & Transport Technical SME, you will act as the “Technical Brain” for the high-speed network backbone within a flagship Agentic AI transformation programme for a major UK Telecommunications provider. You will work closely with AI Architects, Software Engineers, and Solution Architects to decode the complex engineering logic required to plan, design, and configure Core IP and Optical Transport networks.
Your expertise will be critical to enabling autonomous network design and optimisation, ensuring that AI agents accurately reflect real-world routing constraints, optical limitations, and operational standards. This is a senior, hands-on domain role focused on codifying deep engineering knowledge into deterministic logic that machines can execute safely at national scale.
The Challenge
The client’s backbone network is a mission-critical ecosystem of high-capacity routers and optical transport platforms. The objective is to automate the full lifecycle of these assets, from auto-generating Low-Level Designs (LLDs) for new IP circuits to optimising optical paths and backbone capacity.
You will act as the “Source of Truth,” translating intricate routing protocols, optical constraints, and capacity engineering principles into rigid, repeatable logic that underpins AI-driven design, configuration, and validation workflows.
Key Responsibilities
Core & Transport Design Logic: Define and codify engineering rules for generating designs across IP/MPLS (Core) and Optical Transport (DWDM, OTN, SDH) domains, including IP addressing schemes, routing policies (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS), and optical path selection.
Configuration Management: Define the “Golden Standard” for backbone device configurations, creating templates and baselines (e.g. Jinja2, YAML) that the automation platform will enforce across routers, core switches, and optical gear.
Traffic Engineering & Capacity Management: Define deterministic “If-This-Then-That” logic for backbone capacity planning and optimisation, such as automated LAG augmentation or traffic rerouting based on utilisation thresholds.
OSS & Inventory Integration: Provide deep technical expertise on extracting accurate logical topology, routing, and capacity data from inventory and OSS platforms (e.g. Cramer, Netcracker) to validate AI-generated decisions.
Validation & Assurance: Act as the final quality gate for AI-generated backbone designs and configuration scripts, ensuring strict adherence to architectural standards, safety policies, and operational constraints prior to deployment.
Must-Have Skills
Minimum 10 years total industry experience, with 8+ years in Core IP and Optical Transport Planning & Design
Deep expertise in Core IP/MPLS architectures, including protocols such as BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, and Segment Routing (SRv6 / SR-MPLS).
Advanced knowledge of Optical Transport technologies, including DWDM, OTN, and SDH, and how optical networks are planned, commissioned, protected, and optimised.
Proven experience producing High-Level Designs (HLDs) and Low-Level Designs (LLDs) for complex core and transport networks.
Strong ability to document complex engineering logic in a clear, structured format that software engineers and automation teams can consume.
Extensive experience operating in large-scale, high-availability, mission-critical network environments.
Desirable Skills
Hands-on experience with major network and optical vendors such as Cisco (IOS-XR), Nokia (SR OS), Juniper, or Ciena.
Experience with network automation using Python, Ansible, or NETCONF/YANG models.
Understanding of SDN controllers and orchestration platforms such as Cisco NSO or Nokia NSP.
Exposure to AI-driven or intent-based network automation initiatives.
Inclusion & Diversity at Zinkworks
At Zinkworks, we are deeply committed to fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We believe that our strength lies in the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of our team members. By embracing an inclusive environment, we empower innovation and collaboration across all levels of our organisation. Based in Ireland, we are proud to support and engage with our local communities through meaningful initiatives that promote equity and opportunity. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, as we actively contribute to creating a more inclusive and connected society for all.