IP/MPLS, IXP & IGW Project Manager

This position is on-site based in Damascus Governorate, Syria.

Position Objective:

Manage the end-to-end delivery of IP/MPLS core backbone, Internet Exchange Point (IXP), and International Gateway (IGW) projects within the submarine cable system. Responsible for coordinating router deployment at landing stations and terrestrial backbone nodes, IXP fabric buildout, IGW platform commissioning, BGP peering activation with international carriers, and integration with SLTE/DWDM transport infrastructure. Ensure on-time delivery of all IP/MPLS, IXP, and IGW milestones aligned with submarine system RFS targets and consortium interconnection requirements.

Job Description & Responsibilities:

• Develop detailed project plans, schedules, and WBS for all IP/MPLS backbone, IXP, and IGW delivery activities across landing stations and terrestrial nodes.
• Define milestones for router installation, backbone activation, IXP fabric deployment, IGW commissioning, and BGP peering go-live.
• Align IP/MPLS delivery plans with SLTE/DWDM backhaul activation schedules, landing station readiness dates, and submarine system RFS milestones.
• Manage delivery dependencies between IP/MPLS, DWDM transport, security, and facilities workstreams.
• Manage IP/MPLS router installation, software upgrade, and backbone configuration at landing stations and terrestrial core nodes.
• Coordinate IP/MPLS integration with SLTE and terrestrial DWDM/OTN transport, ensuring proper handoff interfaces and service mapping.
• Oversee backbone routing protocol activation (BGP, IS-IS, Segment Routing) and MPLS label-switched path (LSP) establishment across the network.
• Manage QoS policy deployment, traffic engineering configuration, and ECMP/load balancing optimisation.
• Track integration testing and end-to-end backbone acceptance testing across all segments.
• Manage IXP switching fabric deployment, route server configuration, and member port provisioning at designated IXP locations.
• Coordinate BGP peering activation with international carriers, content delivery networks, and consortium members.
• Oversee peering policy implementation, route filtering, and traffic engineering optimisation at IXP and IGW points.
• Manage IXP monitoring, traffic visibility, and capacity management system deployment.
• Manage IGW platform deployment, international traffic routing configuration, and carrier interconnection commissioning.
• Coordinate international circuit handoff with submarine cable landing counterparts, transit providers, and Tier-1 carriers.
• Oversee DDoS protection integration at IGW in coordination with the Cybersecurity Project Lead.
• Manage IGW acceptance testing, failover validation, and capacity readiness verification.
• Coordinate with IP/MPLS routing platform vendors (Cisco, Juniper, Nokia, Huawei) for equipment delivery, staging, and field support.
• Track material delivery, manage logistics, customs clearance, and equipment staging for landing station and terrestrial deployments.
• Manage vendor SLA performance, professional services delivery, and technical support escalation.
• Oversee factory acceptance testing (FAT) for routers, IXP switches, and IGW platforms.
• Identify and manage project risks including IP/MPLS-DWDM integration issues, BGP peering delays, vendor resource constraints, and equipment availability.
• Drive resolution of routing engineering issues, peering activation problems, and commissioning defects.
• Ensure quality assurance processes are followed across all IP/MPLS, IXP, and IGW delivery phases.
• Prepare weekly/monthly status reports, milestone trackers, and peering activation dashboards.
• Provide regular updates to the Senior Project Manager, consortium partners, and client stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor or Master of Engineering in Telecommunications, Network Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in IP/MPLS project delivery, preferably in submarine cable, IXP, or international carrier environments.
• Proven experience deploying IP backbone, IXP platforms, and IGW infrastructure at cable landing stations.
• Strong knowledge of BGP, IS-IS, Segment Routing, MPLS-TE, and international peering architectures.
• Multi-vendor delivery experience (Cisco, Juniper, Nokia, Huawei).
• Experience coordinating with submarine cable consortium partners and international carriers.
• PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification is desirable.
• CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent routing certifications are a plus.
• Good communication, coordination, and presentation skills.
• IP/MPLS Core Backbone Delivery for Submarine Cable Projects
• Landing Station Router Deployment & Integration with SLTE/DWDM
• IXP Switching Fabric Deployment & Route Server Commissioning
• IGW Platform Deployment & International Carrier Interconnection
• BGP Peering Activation & Routing Policy Implementation
• Segment Routing, MPLS-TE & QoS Deployment
• IP/MPLS – DWDM/OTN Transport Integration
• Acceptance Testing & Commissioning Management
• Vendor & Supply Chain Coordination
• Schedule Management & Critical Path Analysis
• Project Leadership & Multi-Site Delivery Coordination
• International Carrier & Consortium Partner Interface
• Vendor Relationship & SLA Management
• Cross-Functional Coordination & Integration Management
• Stakeholder Communication & Reporting