Head of Network Operations

About the role

Archangel Lightworks, a laser communications company building wireless technology, is looking for a Head of Network Operations to join its experienced team. You will build and lead the Network Operations function, ensuring the reliable operation, deployment, monitoring and maintenance of company and customer-owned ground station infrastructure and associated optical communication services. The office is in Osney Mead, Oxford, with possible home-working and periodic business travel.

Key responsibilities

• Build and lead the Network Operations function, setting up the team, processes, tools and operational standards for a growing deployed network.
• Lead the Optical Communication Service, including network planning, service performance, availability and operational readiness, supported by product development.
• Own monitoring, maintenance and operational performance of deployed infrastructure, company-owned and customer-owned, working closely with Production and Engineering.
• Engage with customers during sales and after-sales use of the service to ensure customer success.
• Lead deployment and commissioning of new systems, coordinating across Production, Product Development and other technical teams.
• Own customer operational support, onboarding, proof of concept and incident management, feeding operational experience back into product and service development.

Required profile

• Significant experience (10 years+) leading network operations, service operations or a similar technical operations function for complex or mission-critical infrastructure.
• Strong technical understanding of network monitoring, incident management, infrastructure maintenance and deployment.
• Demonstrated ability to build operational capabilities, set up processes and lead multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience in optical communications, satellite communications, telecommunications, ground station operations or a related field preferred.

Required skills

• Desirable: experience building operational processes and teams from scratch in a start-up or scale-up.
• Desirable: exposure to space, defence, telecommunications or critical national infrastructure sectors.
• Desirable: knowledge of cybersecurity and operational security for critical infrastructure.
• Desirable: familiarity with network monitoring, observability, alerting and automation tools, and with commissioning new systems.
• Desirable: experience operating or supporting satellite or optical ground stations, and designing NOC processes and tooling.

What we offer

• Opportunity to work on advanced optical systems.
• Collaborative, transparent culture with regular socials and weekly company lunch.
• Professional development in a specialist engineering field.
• Competitive salary and benefits package with equity options.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.