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Technical Director – Ekiva
We also have the following vacancies available. For further information on our current opportunities, please visit our website: https://ekiva.com/careers/
Current vacancies:
- Core Deployment & Slice
- RAN Deployment & Integration
- IP / Transport
- IEC 62443 Cyber Security
- Orchestration Architect
- Backend Engineer
- Frontend UI
- AI/ML RAN & RRM
- E2E Integration / Test
- RF Specialist
- Technical Project Lead
About Ekiva
Ekiva is a next-generation telecom technology company delivering advanced connectivity solutions across Private 5G Networks, Enterprise Wireless Networks, Mobile Network Operator (MNO) environments, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Open RAN and intelligent network automation. Ekiva supports organisations in deploying secure, scalable and future-ready wireless networks across telecom, enterprise and industrial environments.
The Role
The Technical Director is Ekiva’s senior technical authority and a key member of the technology leadership team. Reporting to the CEO, the role provides architecture ownership, technical governance and assurance across Ekiva’s innovation programmes, commercial network deployments, enterprise private networks and operator solutions.
The Technical Director will lead the technology function, including the Head of Orchestration & Network Intelligence and the wider engineering, architecture and integration team. This is a builder’s role, responsible for developing the technology function, recruiting and mentoring technical teams, establishing engineering standards and creating a strong technical culture.
The role combines strategic and architectural leadership with hands-on technical credibility to review, challenge and validate the work of internal teams, subcontractors and consortium partners, with a clear pathway towards wider executive technology leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Strategy & Architecture
- Own end-to-end technical architecture across Private 5G/SNPN, Open RAN, 5G Core, orchestration, FWA and operator networks.
- Define the technology roadmap in line with business strategy, market opportunities and funding commitments.
- Act as design authority, reviewing and approving architectures, interfaces and technical decisions.
- Establish technical standards, engineering practices and quality gates.
- Manage the boundary between Ekiva IP and third-party/licensed technology.
- Provide input into CAPEX/OPEX planning, technology investment, market feasibility and ROI.
- Consider international regulatory, spectrum and market deployment requirements.
Innovate UK & R&D Programmes
- Provide technical leadership across collaborative R&D programmes, ensuring delivery against milestones, specifications and evidence requirements.
- Represent Ekiva within consortia involving catapults, universities, vendors and network operators.
- Ensure technical deliverables, test evidence and reporting meet grant and audit requirements.
- Oversee technical due diligence and assurance of subcontracted and partner-delivered work.
- Protect Ekiva’s foreground and background IP and support exploitation planning.
Enterprise Private Networks
- Lead technical definition, architecture and feasibility assessments for Enterprise Private Network opportunities.
- Develop repeatable architectures and deployment models for industrial, utilities, transport and secure environments.
- Support bids, proposals and customer engagements with technical architecture, narratives and costing.
- Translate R&D outputs into commercially deployable products and services.
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FWA & MNO Networks
- Own technical strategy and end-to-end architecture for international FWA and MNO solutions, covering access, core, transport and service platforms.
- Lead radio planning, including spectrum, coverage, capacity, RF planning, site selection and CPE.
- Approve ISP/operator core, transport, service delivery and OSS/BSS architecture.
- Direct deployment readiness, integration, acceptance testing, service activation and operational handover.
- Establish network operations and support models, including monitoring, KPIs and service quality.
- Provide equipment, budget and resource recommendations and support vendor selection and contract negotiations.
- Work with ecosystem and delivery partners from design through to market launch.
- Provide technical input into commercial models, business cases and investment decisions.
Technology Team Leadership
- Build Ekiva’s technology function, defining the structure, roles and capabilities required.
- Recruit, onboard, mentor and develop engineers, architects and specialists.
- Lead the Head of Orchestration & Network Intelligence and wider technical team.
- Establish objectives, KPIs, development plans, knowledge management, documentation and training.
- Promote engineering rigour, innovation, continuous learning and constructive technical challenge.
- Balance internal, outsourced and subcontracted resources effectively and within budget.
Technical Governance & Assurance
- Establish and chair design gates, architecture reviews and technical acceptance processes.
- Own technical risk identification, mitigation and escalation.
- Ensure security, resilience and regulatory requirements are incorporated from the outset, including within critical national infrastructure environments.
- Work with the Programme Director and PMO to align technical delivery with schedules, budgets and contractual commitments.
- Prioritise technology initiatives and resources across R&D, commercial deployments and operational networks.
Partners, Vendors & Stakeholders
- Own technical relationships with partners, licensors, subcontractors and ecosystem collaborators.
- Set specifications, review deliverables and ensure partners meet technical quality and scope requirements.
- Represent Ekiva within industry forums, standards bodies and technical working groups.
- Maintain awareness of standards, market developments and emerging technologies.
- Communicate complex technical matters effectively to executives, customers, funders, investors and other stakeholders.
- Act as an external technical ambassador for Ekiva and support executive leadership with strategic, commercial and investment decisions.
QHSE
- Identify, control and communicate quality, health and safety risks.
- Maintain compliance with QHSE systems, legal requirements and company procedures.
- Ensure appropriate training and resources are available and monitor safety performance, implementing corrective and preventative actions where required.
What We’re Looking For
- 15+ years’ experience in telecommunications or network technology, including at least 5 years in senior technical leadership, architecture, principal engineering or technical consulting.
- Deep expertise in 4G/LTE, 5G/5G-Advanced, Open RAN/O-RAN, 5G Core, private networks and SNPN deployments.
- Strong knowledge of 3GPP specifications and standards evolution.
- Experience in architecture ownership, technical due diligence, design review and programme/delivery assurance.
- Proven experience building, leading, recruiting and developing technical teams.
- Experience managing vendors, subcontractors and delivery partners against technical requirements.
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance technical decisions with cost, risk, funding and business outcomes.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong accountability, judgement and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and cloud platforms such as SharePoint or Google Workspace.
- Degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, IT or a related discipline; Master’s preferred.
- UK resident with valid right to work in the UK. Ekiva is unable to sponsor visa applications.
- Full-time, on-site position in Egham, with ability to commute.
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Key Competencies
- Technical authority and sound engineering judgement.
- Strategic thinking combined with hands-on technical depth.
- Leadership, team building and capability development.
- Governance, assurance and quality discipline.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
- Commercial awareness and ability to align technology strategy with business objectives.
- Adaptability and resilience within a fast-growing, resource-constrained environment.
Desirable Experience
- End-to-end FWA, ISP or MNO deployment, including RF planning, core, transport, service activation and operational handover.
- International deployments, particularly in emerging or developing markets.
- Establishing or managing network operations and support functions.
- Publicly funded R&D programmes such as Innovate UK/UKRI.
- Critical national infrastructure or regulated sectors including energy, utilities, transport or defence.
- Satellite/NTN, neutral host or spectrum-related technologies.
- Participation in O-RAN Alliance, 3GPP, TIP, Small Cell Forum or similar industry groups, or relevant patent experience.
- Cloud-native platforms, orchestration, automation and AI/ML for network operations.
- Technical training, knowledge dissemination or thought leadership.
- Vendor and contract negotiation.
- Master’s degree in engineering, technology or management.
- High emotional intelligence, political awareness and collaborative working style.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary with negotiable options based on skills and experience.
- Pension contribution.
- Lunch provided.
- Supportive environment where ideas are valued and potential is nurtured.
- Comprehensive health and business travel insurance.
- Free on-site parking.
Ekiva values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
How to Apply
To view the full job description and apply for the Technical Director role, please visit the vacancy page on our website and use the application link to submit your CV:
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