WiFi and Connectivity Architect

ABOUT US

We’re building Tomorrow’s Connections Today, bringing people together through the power of our technology. Liberty Global is a world leader in converged broadband, video and mobile communications and an active investor in cutting-edge infrastructure, content and technology ventures.

With our investments in fibre-based and 5G networks we play a vital role in society, currently providing over 85 million fixed and mobile connections and rolling out the next generation of products and services, while readying our networks for 10 Gbps and beyond.

We’re creating national champions, combining the best broadband and mobile networks under brands such as Virgin Media-02 in the UK, VodafoneZiggo in The Netherlands, Telenet in Belgium, Sunrise in Switzerland, Virgin Media in Ireland and UPC in Slovakia.

Liberty Global Ventures, our global investment arm, has a portfolio of more than 75 companies and funds across content, technology and infrastructure, including strategic stakes in ITV, Univision, Plume, Lionsgate and the Formula E racing series.

Our scale enables us to transfer knowledge and expertise across our operations and investments, creating a dynamic family of brands united in the pursuit of innovation and excellence.

And we’re prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace and communities, while reducing our impact on the environment. We are using technology as a force for good; for our people, our partners and the planet.

We are seeking a skilled Wi-Fi & Connectivity Architect, to join our Technology Platforms group, with experience in leading wireless strategy and roadmaps for mass scale service provider Wi-Fi ecosystems (home gateway, video STB) & Wi-Fi mesh.

In this role, you will,

Develop LG’s CPE Wireless strategy, across Wi-Fi, IoT, and 4G/5G, working with product and strategy teams, to establish our long term vision and roadmap at a time of unparalleled innovation in the area of Wi-Fi 7, IOT, Latency, Power Management, cloud orchestration. Own the Wi-Fi & Connectivity Architecture for our in-home CPE and Mesh devices, ensuring that business requirements are met & delivered via our key technology partners, while also enabling our broader connectivity eco-system to be state of the art. Maintain relationships with our CPE OEMs , Silicon partners and related 3rd parties, keeping well-informed, and guiding their roadmaps to ensure that LG’s interest can be upheld. Face into Industry bodies to influence wireless developments and standardisation, including initiating and overseeing activity with Broadband Forum, IEEE, Cable Labs, WiFi Alliance, Wi-Fi Broadband Alliance, ITU, 3GPP to help align with LG’s overall wireless strategy.

Overall you will champion LG’s CPE Wi-Fi strategy overseeing it’s evolution to enable LG to provide a best in class in-home CPE Wi-Fi experience.

JOB PURPOSE

Lead the CPE Wi-Fi & Connectivity architecture strategy & vision for LG’s in-home CPE and Mesh devices, underpinning a 2nd to none connectivity ecosystem, part of the Connectivity Technology Platform – One Connect. Guide the CPE Wireless (Wi-Fi, 5G, FWA, IOT) roadmap ensuring that LG maintains market superiority through timely introduction and optimization of next gen CPE and Mesh devices balancing consumer experience with economies of scale. Guide the roadmap for related connectivity technologies including CPE management & optimization techniques, SDN, data collection and telemetry, quality of experience optimization, in-home video delivery Collaborate closely with Liberty Global senior management team, to gain consensus on market requirements through articulation of architectural options and iteration of those options. Provide technical leadership to x-functional teams and technology partners seeing through to fruition availability of next gen CPE & Mesh devices, from the prototype stage, engineering samples and mass market units. Act as a technology evangelist providing world leading Wireless subject matter expertise, identify opportunities to optimise, enhance and innovate, promoting a culture of continuous improvement; Stay abreast of emerging technologies, support Technology Due Diligence and assessment of new vendors and disruptive technology opportunities, developing recommendations and business cases for changes to the Connectivity Platforms, Services, ways of working and operating models, and identifying the right partners for the future Create and maintain detailed technical documentation & recommendations, but pitched at the right level, for our stakeholders and x-functional teams. Identify the right landscape of partnerships to enable implementation of new technologies into Liberty Global’s portfolio. Proactively identify and mitigate architectural risks, present and future, across regulatory, privacy and security, ensuring that compliance of our CPE is through robust design and implementation practices.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Create CPE Wireless & Connectivity Product Specifications (Wi-Fi, IoT, 4G/5G)Work closely with Product & Strategy teams on long term technology roadmaps.Support Product teams with their development of Business Requirements.Develop & articulate the CPE Wireless Architecture to stakeholders.Support the prioritization of new Wireless and Connectivity software features, and the optimization of current CPE/Mesh device Wi-Fi and Connectivity performance.Gather technical product requirements and objectives, develop data-sheets and block diagrams for the architecture of CPE wireless sub-systems to underpin architectural choices.Review and refine detailed technical specifications with stakeholders while balancing features & technical performance against CPE cost target and time to market aspiration.Set product performance expectations for suppliers and in-house test teams. Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers and industry bodies (device and silicon manufacturers).Organise regular update meetings (quarterly/annual etc.) and attend industry conferences to keep well informed of Wireless advances and availability via suppliers.Capture and disseminate supplier roadmaps and product specifications, to support LG’s internal roadmap planning for Next Gen CPE introduction.Influence supplier alignment with future Liberty Global product requirements.Identify opportunities/threats and communicate to Liberty Global stakeholders.  Track industry wireless standards and applicable regional regulations.Use insight to inform product roadmap evolution.Identify optimum timing to add next generation wireless technology.Influence industry standards development to align with Liberty Global business interests. Support/Manage RFx CampaignsRecommend shortlist of suitable suppliers.Prepare technical document pack and compliance matrices for RFx campaign.Identify focus topics, questions and detailed agenda items for supplier workshops.Review and challenge supplier proposals with regard to clarity, accuracy and completeness.Assess and rank supplier proposals.Summarise RFx outcome and present supplier recommendation to Liberty Global senior management. Evaluate new CPE wireless features (Protocol’s, Software Features, Radio’s, FEM’s, Antenna’s, Power Budget.).Identify, prioritise and promote new innovative features.Oversee Proof of Concepts (PoC’s)Prepare PoC recommendation for senior management approval. Including : feature benefits, PoC costs, assessment methodology, deliverables and schedule.Oversee PoC activity with selected internal or external agent appointed to carry out the PoC.Summarise and report on findings form the PoC to senior management. Work closely with stakeholders & technology partners (E2E Architects, Product, Engineering, Test, Procurement and Senior Management).Provide leadership and direction to stakeholders as a subject matter expert.Prepare and present technical details, options, opportunities, risks and recommendations.Publish white papers and application notes to inform Engineering and Test teams.Prepare and socialise data sheets and high level specifications, block diagrams and architecture.

Develop wireless design principles, models, internal standards, test methodologies and processes based on industry best practices.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

Proven experience as a CPE / Wireless / RF Architect within a leading telco or OEM / Silicon vendor. SME understanding of Wi-Fi 7, Antenna Design is essential. Product development background of connected consumer devices (IOT, CPE, Mesh) Experience of product development spanning cloud-based software services, mobile apps and connected consumer electronics (e.g., CPE, IOT devices) is desirable Demonstrable experience of Next Gen CPE deliveries of strategic technology initiatives that have benefitted the company and its customers Strong experience providing technical assessments and driving technology roadmaps Solid grounding in the principles and practices of regulation, data privacy and information security Good overall knowledge and familiarity with telecommunications technologies, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, DOCSIS, XGS-PON, Thread, Bluetooth, Zigbee, 3GPP, TR-069, USP as well as current IP communication protocols. Good overall knowledge and understanding of the software and middleware components that underpin modern embedded Connectivity CPE (e.g., RDK-B, OpenWRT, OE, HAL, SDKs) Use of Agile team working to deliver technical outcomes. Demonstrable in-depth knowledge of Wi-Fi standards.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

SkillsCreation and dissemination of clear, concise and accurate analysis and guidance, retaining the technical integrity of the message in a business context.Ability to rapidly absorb new technical skills and knowledge outside of the initial remit and able to drive pragmatic delivery decisions as a result.Ability to work independently as well as within teams.Creative thought.Problem solving.Highly numerate and analyticFluent spoken and written English. AbilitiesAbility to engage effectively at all levels of an organization up to MD level.Ability to rapidly absorb new technical skills and knowledge outside of direct remit and able to drive pragmatic delivery decisions as a result.Ability to see technology for what is can provide to the company and its customers.Self-motivated and proactive in the working environment; proven ability to work with speed and accuracy to deadlines is essential.Must be able to work under pressure and be prepared to work outside normal working hours, on occasions, when necessary.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/ QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree level or equivalent in a STEM subject, educated to degree level in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Technology, Mathematics, Electronics, Computing or Telecommunications and/or have professional certification in a relevant area (E.g. RF Engineering; Mobile- Wi-Fi- Cable- Satellite- Telco- Communications; Consumer Electronics Engineering; …).

Benefits:

Competitive salary + Eligibility for our Bonus Plan 25 days annual leave with the option to purchase 5 more 3 Days of Volunteering Time Off Free access to LinkedIn Learning & Coursera to continue to develop and grow your career with us Free premium subscription to Calm – a renowned well-being & meditation app (NL only) Company Laptop, Mobile and Phone Subscription Company Pension Contributions Access to our car benefit scheme (UK only) Access to personal medical and dental insurance (UK) / Subsidies on Health Insurance (NL). Access to discounts on superfast fibre broadband subscriptions.

* Liberty Global is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our people. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process. We’re 100% committed to having a workforce that represents every part of our society. So we’re keen to hear from candidates of all background and circumstances.

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