Telecoms Team Lead

UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL) 

Led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL), announced in October 2022, will give the UK the cutting-edge technology to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of 5G, and grow our brilliant telecoms sector by bringing in new entrants to diversify the supply chain market. 

Read more about the UKTLhere! 

As a trusted and independent national capability, the UKTL will interact at the intersection of standards bodies, such as 3GPP, the National Cyber Security Centre and the wider UK intelligence community, academia, Ofcom, as well as Communications Service Providers and telecommunication equipment vendors. 

As a member of the UKTL leadership team, you will be responsible for leading a team of telecoms experts covering SRAN/O-RAN radio access systems, 4/5G telecom core network technologies and associated telecoms test tools. You and your team will be responsible for building and operating the radio and core networks at UKTL as well as working very closely with the cyber security and test teams in their evaluation of the telecom systems at UKTL. 

Role Responsibilities: 

• Ensure that the radio networks, core networks and test tools are built and evolve as per agreed designs and meet the evaluation requirements of UKTL. 

• Ensure that the radio networks, core networks and test tools offer an agreed level of service to our stakeholders. 

• Closely support the Evaluation and Test Teams in their associated activities.  

• Ensure that all design and build activities and operational tasks are accurately captured and managed using the business tools and processes at UKTL 

• Build strategic relationships with your suppliers to ensure our solutions are appropriately supported. 

• Build strategic relationships with our internal stakeholders to ensure that all that we do supports the business objectives of UKTL. 

• Support the Telecom Team in their active participation of the relevant telecom standardisation bodies. 

• Manage the individual performance of your team members by setting and regularly reviewing their goals. 

• Work with the senior management team at UKTL in setting the mission and strategy for UKTL and articulate it to the team to achieve high levels of engagement. 

• Ensure that our technical estate complies with health and safety policy and ensure that policy is followed by all of UKTL.  

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Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham with the possibility of hybrid working. 

We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in. 

You will have had experience of working within a mobile network technology company leading a team of technical experts. Using your experience of translating business goals and objectives into technical roadmaps, you generated a highly motivated team focussed on delivering business value. What’s more you will be pragmatic, highly organised, detail-focussed and a good communicator. Beyond that, we’re looking for someone who’ll thrive in an environment like ours. 

Essential skills include, 

• A good technical knowledge of end-to-end 4G and 5G mobile communication networks  

• Be able to manage a team of technical specialists, ensuring high levels of engagement and motivation. 

• Can perform in a rapidly changing environment with unclear boundaries. 

• Can communicate appropriately across all levels of the organisation. 

• Strong organisational skills, able to work towards deadlines and balance conflicting priorities.  

• Must have or be able to obtain level of security clearance appropriate to the role.

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Please note:  Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward.  We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical. 

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. However, to work in this role within UKTL, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance. 

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview 

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.  

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page. 

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.