Max Zuma

• Spearheaded Global router upgrades across the network infrastructure, leveraging extensive knowledge of BGP, OSPF, SNMP, QoS protocols , network automation.
• Familiar with most devop tools and automation frameworks :
• Utilised AWS services (CloudWatch, S3, Glue, Athena, QuickSight) to maintain, monitor, and improve the network's performance, enhancing our system's uptime and reliability.
• Leveraged CI/CD principles and practices with Python and Perl, automating multiple test, build, and deployment processes, reducing code deployment time by 40%.
• Drafted and revised work instructions for quality and test procedures, resulting in a significant reduction in errors during testing stages and enhancing product quality.
• Supported design reviews contributing to the timely achievement of engineering and project milestones, improving project delivery by 25%.
• Evaluated proposed material choices against mechanical performance requirements, ensuring optimal equipment selection and system performance.
• Defined and planned product validations to address regulatory requirements, ensuring all products were compliant and passed rigorous standards.
• Composed and edited work instructions for quality and test procedures.
• Supported design review to drive achievement of engineering and project milestones.
• Evaluated proposed material choices against mechanical performance requirements
• Defined and planned product validations to address regulatory requirements.
• Collaborated with design engineers to verify design against defined performance parameters.
• Assessed component stability performance in repeatable, safe manner.
• Supported creation and maintenance of process documentation.

• Key role on strategic projects ie. issue RF, and provide RFP responses, assessment, recommendation and assessment on fibre, microwave and IP-MPLS and Satellite.

• Forecasting, Budgets and Business cases.

• Strategy, Formulate the 3 year Transmission strategy for the following:

• Assist in determine the impact on transmission in terms of capacity, CAPEX, OPEX, planning and execution of special projects as and when the need arises SDN, NFV, IS IS, BGP, OSPF, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, IoT, GMPLS

• Familiar with Backhaul technologies : fibre, microwave, satellite and DWDM.

• Work across variable platforms and tools: U2000, Nokia SAM, Tellabs INM, Microwave SAIE NMS, Cisco Prime, Atoll backhaul, GE small world and many other systems.

• IP Backhaul Design & Integration with Satellite Systems. 3G & 4G Deployment over Satellite. LEO & GEO Satellite Technologies
Network Design and Optimisation. Strategic Project Management.

• Played a pivotal role in the strategic collaboration with Intelsat, focusing on optimizing satellite communication efficiency.
• Integral team member for AWS Project Kuiper, assisting in design and implementation phases, ensuring seamless IP backhaul integration.
• Conducted comprehensive investigations into Starlink's infrastructure, contributing valuable insights and comparative analyses to ongoing projects.
• Spearheaded research on LEO vs. GEO satellites, elucidating key advantages, challenges, and the evolving dynamics of the industry.
• Successfully designed and implemented multiple solutions for integrating 3G & 4G technologies over satellite, enhancing coverage and network capacity.

• Provide strategic and leadership role to ensure transmission Planning and Operations execute the Vodacom strategy

• Ensure overall Transmission meets all set network quality targets.

• To ensure Transmission meets set rollout targets without compromising network quality

• Come up with strategies to reduce cost of network rollout and improve network availability.

• Interaction on key project between RAN, Core and Transmission rollout.

• Come up with strategies to reduce network OPEX.

• Ensure the Operations team is aligned to the Commercial objectives of the region

• Create a commercial awareness within the Operations team.

• Ensure seamless coordination of customer care queries and resolutions

• To set up, manage and monitor the expenditure of project Capex and the Opex budget for the region, relating to Network rollout and maintenance.

• To liaise and negotiate with all local authorities, local government, corporate bodies and businesses, which may affect the technical working environment of the region.

• To contribute directly to the bottom-line by managing and ensuring that the availability and congestion of the Network is kept to the lowest possible limits

• Planning guidelines including HLD and LLD updates.

• Ensure that the guidelines are comprehensive and is able to provide detailed

• Guidance on how the network must be designed

• Monthly supplier meetings as required alignment

• Meet with suppliers monthly or weekly and send minutes of meeting.

• Build a tracking sheet to record issues, actions and timelines addressing key issues affecting rollout and strategy

• Maintained production network according to company SLAs to fulfil agreed-upon client specifications.
• Administered, maintained and supported network systems to provide consistent security, availability and performance.
• Employed firewalls to safeguard network security and block unauthorised access.
• Performed acceptance testing to deliver integration and interoperability of network technologies.

• Providing Inter-AS testing between Cisco ASR9K and Tellabs 8600

• Network Audit , Optimization and Clean-up project leader Consultant

• Assisting in HLD and LLD design

• Coriant 8665 testing and commissioning

• Coriant 8840 to Coriant 8665 swap testing

• eBGP migration (assisted during initial project state), post migration verification engineer

• Building the Coriant LAB in SA for testing and training • Co-coordinating, monitoring and reviewing the work • preparing progress reports.

• Seeking instructions from the client.

• Establishing change control procedures at key stages, for example, when the project brief is frozen or when detailed design is frozen.

• Arranging value management exercises.

• Presale engineering

• Analysed products and controls and provided technical suggestions to prospects.

• Formulated technical presentations and interpreted customer requirements.

• Conducted client training and coordinated with the clients.

• Coordinated in sales activities.

• Provided post-sale support and follow-up

• Identify new application areas and working with development and marketing to create compelling messaging and demonstrations

• Develop strong working relationships with senior business and technical leaders who are responsible or influence new platform development

• Inspiration to stretch your performance by allowing you to tackle seemingly impossible problems

• Become familiar with customer’s current and next generation platforms by engaging directly with system architects and collaborating on potential solutions that leverage Seagate technologies and expertise. Understand the customer’s technology challenges, options and business drivers

• Provided consultancy expertise to other departments to encourage successful teamwork.
• Demonstrated leadership skills by practising strategic and methodological thinking.
• Addressed client enquiries and resolved issues and concerns.
• Determined flaws and gaps and provided tactical solutions.

Ensure Network Availability to Customers as per PCCW IP-MPLS Infrastructure.

• Tier 1: MPLS TE design and implementation peering with AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, Vodafone etc.

• Commission of MPLS Core network in AFRICA

• Design and deploy complex Layer 2 VPN and Layer 3 VPN. Troubleshoot Layer 2 and Layer 3 Technologies ( MPLS VPN, EoMPLS, QOS, AToM )

• Support Engineer on high-end Carrier network gear o CRS1, 10K, 12K, 7500, 7600, 7200, also low-end routers 2800, 3800, layer 2, and layer three switches 6500, 3550/3560.

• Perform Senior Fiend support Engineer for the following regions: Africa, Middle East and Europe. Support variety of access media such as: Metro Ethernet, SDH, lease line, ATM, Martis and diginet.

• Maintenance and support on back bone PCCW Global network.

• Created assessment reports of equipment issues and resolutions using operational data.
• Communicated technical concepts to customers clearly by phone, email and online chat.
• Maximised First Time Fix Rate (FTFR) by conducting thorough analysis of root causes.
• Analysed complex technical information to develop clearly structured and easily transferable documentation.

• Installation, Provide high-level support on IP/MPLS VPN and QOS.

• Provide assurance on the various technologies o Internet queries o network failures o Network software upgrades o new router commissioning

• Logging of TAC case to Cisco.

• MPLS Core support on high end Cisco routers:

• CRS1, 10K, 12K, 7500, 7600, 7200 and also low end routers 2800, 3800 and layer 2 and layer 3 switches 6500, 3550/3560

• Troubleshooting and maintaining complex Layer 1, 2 and 3 technologies spanning from SDH, METRO ETHERNET, MARTIS, DIGINET, ADSL, ATM, FRAME RELAY, WIMAX, WCDMA, IPCONNECT, and MPLS VPN.

• Minimizing downtime and ensuring optimal functioning of Network.

• Perform standby duties for after-hours Network related emergency issues.