Solution Architect

West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) is seeking a highly experienced Solution Architect to join its Capacity Planning team. In this strategic pre-sales and technical design role, you will serve as the critical bridge between client requirements and WIOCC's world-class digital infrastructure capabilities — spanning subsea cable systems, terrestrial fibre networks, and colocation services across Africa and beyond.

Reporting to the Head of Capacity Planning, you will own the end-to-end technical solution lifecycle: from translating complex enterprise and carrier-grade client needs into compelling, commercially viable proposals, to designing high-availability network architectures that meet rigorous SLAs, budget constraints, and delivery timescales. This is a high-impact role at the intersection of engineering excellence and commercial strategy.

• Drive the full technical pre-sales lifecycle — converting complex customer requirements into scalable digital infrastructure proposals that accelerate time-to-revenue and support the sales and bid teams.
• Architect end-to-end, mission-critical network solutions including the production of comprehensive High-Level Designs (HLDs) and Low-Level Designs (LLDs) for enterprise and carrier-grade clients.
• Proactively identify and mitigate architectural constraints, commercial risks, and delivery bottlenecks to ensure on-time, seamless solution deployment.
• Translate advanced engineering capabilities into clear technical product descriptions, architecture blueprints, and service definitions to support New Product Development (NPD) initiatives.
• Establish and operationalise design governance frameworks and engineering standards to streamline solution planning and scale network architecture practices across the organisation.
• Partner closely with Product, Engineering, Delivery, and Finance teams to deliver bespoke, integrated solutions with robust service assurance, fulfilment, and billing alignment.
• Champion continuous improvement across the solution development lifecycle, reducing design turnaround times and optimising workflow efficiencies.
• Maintain data accuracy and integrity across OSS/BSS platforms and engineering databases, ensuring precise network capacity planning and inventory management.
• Author high-impact network schematics, technical topology drawings, and strategic performance reports for executive leadership and key stakeholder briefings.

• Design and deliver high-availability, carrier-grade network architectures across subsea, terrestrial fibre, and colocation infrastructure environments.
• Apply deep expertise in Transport technologies — including DWDM, OTN, and SDH — to architect scalable, resilient connectivity solutions.
• Architect and optimise complex IP routing structures encompassing Global Peering, IP Transit, and advanced Layer 2/3 Carrier Ethernet services.
• Lead pre-sales technical engagements, confidently presenting and defending solution designs to enterprise and carrier clients at all levels.
• Produce detailed HLDs and LLDs that meet technical feasibility, commercial viability, and SLA compliance requirements.
• Manage cross-functional stakeholder relationships across sales, product, engineering, and finance to align solution delivery expectations.
• Leverage OSS/BSS systems knowledge to govern data integrity and support accurate capacity planning and inventory management.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Engineering, Computing, or a related technical discipline.
• Bring 8+ years of domain experience in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, with at least 5 years dedicated to architecting scalable, high-availability network solutions.

WIOCC offers a competitive, senior-level compensation package commensurate with experience in the telecommunications and digital infrastructure industry. While the specific salary for this role has not been publicly disclosed, market benchmarks for a Solution Architect of this seniority in Kenya typically range between KES 350,000 – KES 600,000 per month, inclusive of base salary and performance-linked components. Additional benefits aligned to WIOCC's regional stature are expected to apply.

Ideal candidates are seasoned telecommunications professionals with a proven track record designing carrier-grade network solutions across African or global digital infrastructure environments. You are equally comfortable in a technical design room and a client-facing pre-sales meeting. You bring a structured, governance-driven mindset, thrive in cross-functional environments, and can translate deeply technical concepts into commercially compelling narratives for executive audiences.

Do not apply if you have fewer than 8 years of relevant telecoms/infrastructure experience, lack hands-on exposure to subsea or terrestrial fibre network design, or have not worked directly with Transport technologies such as DWDM, OTN, or SDH. This is not an entry-level or generalist IT role.

• Prepare an updated CV highlighting your network architecture experience, specific technologies worked with, and key solution delivery achievements.
• Write a brief cover letter (no more than one page) outlining your suitability for the role and your experience with pre-sales technical engagements.
• Submit your application through WIOCC's official careers portal or the job platform where this posting is listed.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a technical screening interview followed by a panel interview with the Capacity Planning and Commercial leadership teams.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. If you do not hear back within 4 weeks of the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.