Executive R&D

Research and Development Executive VAS-X

If you live and breathe Research and Development in the telecommunications OSS/BSS environment, we want to talk to you. We are looking for a Research and Development Executive to implement, track and optimise our research and development portfolio across our products and environments with specific focus on enhancing products from our existing platform while planning and implementing a roadmap of future technology within the market.

About Vas-X

VAS-X (PTY) Ltd is a software and services company founded on the continent of Africa in 1999. We deliver OSS/BSS solutions and value-added services (VAS) to a global footprint of telecoms operators MVNE’s and MVNO’s. As experienced systems integrators we play a crucial role in the planning and development of our customers, always looking for new ways of delivering real value and competitive advantage. We offer an extensive modular product suite, and our management team boasts a combined 140 years of experience in the ICT industry, particularly in demanding emerging markets.

What you’ll love about us:

Great work life balance with flexible working arrangements.

Amazing and connected team and Lumine group to work with Development opportunities.

International Travel opportunities

You will be responsible for research and development across the business including co-ordinating the graduate program activities, identifying and managing new opportunities through closure and expanding the VAS-X footprint in assigned customers.

You will be a self-starter, leaving no stone un-turned in maximising your research and development pipeline. You will collaborate positively, have a passion to succeed, be prepared to take smart risks, possess inspiring and empowering leadership qualities, be able to flex your expertise and use your strong sense of customer focus to exceed expectations every day.

In collaboration with Sales, Product, Marketing and the Executive team, will need to become an expert on our products, customers, industry changes and industry roadmaps.

Responsibilities

Create and deliver the Research and Development roadmap and strategy.

Develop, document and implement research and development processes.

Ensures the research and development initiatives are delivered on time and on budget.

Actively participate in VAS-X product strategy, pursuing it with vigour and focus.

Providing feedback and suggested alterations to make it more effective, continually fine tuning the approach to maximise efficient use of resources,

Engage effectively at a senior level to articulate the Research and Development roadmap.

Manage the Research and Development team.

Manage the graduate program.

Support the Pre-Sales and Project team members to create statements of work providing details of all relevant commercials and payment terms.

Support the Maintenance and Support team with tickets, identifying and automating ticket support and closure.

Clearly communicate the progress of the roadmap and graduates to internal stakeholders,

Work with partners to extend our sales efforts in assigned territory.

Look for inventive commercial solutions that work well for both prospect and VAS-X.

Helps develop and write verification and validation SOPs and technical documents.

Provide direction and support to internal technical team and cross-functional core teams.

Track research and development project using appropriate tools.

Be highly goal-oriented and organized with the ability to adapt and thrive in an atmosphere of shifting demands and priorities.

Define project tasks and resource requirements.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years in related role and telecommunications.

Proven experience in people management

Qualifications in engineering, telecommunications, technical, project management, operations and management desirable.

Proven experience in launching multiple products from concept to commercialization stage;

Working knowledge of quality documentation management systems

Strong problem-solving/troubleshooting skills that can translate to direct guidance of team members through complex issues

Understand Communications software, with prior employment history in this space selling solutions such as BSS solutions (like CRM, Billing, Charging, PCRF, SON, etc.), IoT Platform/Applications and other such related software,

Understanding of network architectures (LTE, 5G) considered a very strong plus,

Ability to readily visualise an end game early in a prospect engagement and alter the approach appropriately to meet the needs of the customer requirements and VAS-X ability to deliver,

Highly articulate with ability to communicate skills across all areas and strong presentation skills,

Responds well to pressure, looking for positive actions to create solutions and reacts well to developing sales situations,

Ability to understand at a high level the technical value proposition and then translate it into a business value position,

Strong sense of personal accountability & initiative,

Technically aware, with a software development or product implementation background (desirable),

Hands on configuration and development capability of relevant tools,

Experience working with system integrator and solution partners,

Understanding of integration techniques, including Web Services, Service Oriented Architectures, n-tier application infrastructures,

Strong understanding of international markets and ability to forecast future sales, form development plans and adapt to constant shifts in the marketplace,

When possible, travel to make sales calls and related business activities.

Fluency in English essential. Fluency in French and/or Spanish a bonus,

JR102222

Remote/Remotely/Tele/Telecommute/From home