Director – Network Performance Optimization & Automation
Atlanta, Georgia
Director – Network Performance Optimization & Automation
Role Overview
The Director – Network Performance Optimization & Automation is a senior wireless engineering leader responsible for improving network performance and customer experience through data-driven optimization, rigorous field trials, and scalable automation. This role leads a large, nationally distributed engineering organization that overlays local markets—driving consistent performance standards while enabling region-specific tuning based on RF conditions, device mix, and traffic behaviors.
Working in close partnership with RAN engineering, RF performance, architecture, operations, and vendor partners, this leader develops and executes a multi-year roadmap focused on: (1) optimizing existing network configurations, (2) ensuring performance excellence through major RAN modernization/vendor transitions, and (3) building automation and algorithms that continuously fine-tune the network at scale.
This role is based in Dallas TX or Atlanta GA requiring in-office presence 5 days/week. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
Key Responsibilities
RAN Performance Strategy & Leadership
- Build and lead a high-performing RAN performance engineering organization with strong technical rigor and an engineering-first mindset.
- Define and execute a national performance roadmap aligned to customer experience outcomes and measurable KPI improvement.
- Establish operating mechanisms (cadences, governance, escalation paths, standards) that drive repeatable execution across all markets.
Network Optimization, Field Trials & Technical Studies
- Lead end-to-end optimization initiatives across LTE/5G NR to improve key outcomes (e.g., accessibility, retainability, mobility robustness, throughput, latency).
- Design and execute field trials and technical studies to validate new features, parameter strategies, and optimization approaches; translate findings into scalable playbooks.
- Identify chronic/systemic performance issues, determine root causes, and drive durable corrective actions across markets.
Modernization / Vendor Transition Performance Oversight
- Own the performance strategy and KPI assurance plan for large-scale RAN modernization efforts, ensuring stability and continuous improvement before, during, and after cutovers.
- Partner with engineering and vendor teams to evaluate feature behavior, configuration baselines, and rollout sequencing to mitigate risk and maximize outcomes.
- Develop performance acceptance criteria, scorecards, and go/no-go readiness checkpoints.
Automation, Algorithms & Continuous Tuning
- Lead development of automation and algorithmic optimization (e.g., closed-loop tuning concepts, policy-based optimization, model-driven parameter strategies).
- Ensure algorithms are configurable and adaptable to regional conditions and market-level differences.
- Drive instrumentation and measurement strategies that connect network changes to KPI movement and customer experience impact.
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
- Partner across national engineering teams, local market organizations, operations, and vendor partners to align priorities and accelerate execution.
- Communicate performance progress, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to leadership in clear, decision-ready narratives.
- Support annual planning and investment prioritization by quantifying expected KPI impact, effort, and operational considerations.
Talent Management & Culture
- Lead, mentor, and develop a large, multi-layer engineering organization (including managers and senior engineers).
- Foster a culture of curiosity, innovation, accountability, and disciplined engineering execution.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive experience in wireless RAN engineering, with significant depth in LTE/5G performance and optimization.
- Demonstrated success leading large, distributed engineering organizations, including managers-of-managers.
- Strong experience with field trials/studies, feature validation, and translating results into production network standards.
- Proven ability to drive measurable KPI improvement through parameter tuning, feature strategy, and systemic root-cause remediation.
- Experience leading performance outcomes through major RAN modernization and/or vendor technology transitions.
- Ability to build and operationalize automation and algorithms for optimization at scale (tooling, data, controls, and governance).
- Strong communication, cross-functional influence, and stakeholder management skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field (advanced degree a plus).
Key Traits
- Strategic Engineering Leader: Sets a multi-year optimization and automation roadmap and drives execution across markets.
- Technical Depth: Credible at the feature/parameter/KPI level; can guide engineers through complex tradeoffs.
- Innovative Thinker: Continuously seeks the next performance edge through experimentation and scalable automation.
- Collaborative Operator: Effective in matrixed environments with local markets, national teams, and vendor partners.
- Results-Oriented: KPI-driven and disciplined in measurement, learning, and iteration.
What Success Looks Like
- Sustained, measurable improvements in RAN performance KPIs and customer experience outcomes across markets.
- Strong performance execution through modernization/vendor transitions with KPI stability and transparent governance.
- Automation and algorithms that reduce manual tuning, accelerate time-to-improvement, and adapt effectively to regional needs.
- A high-performing organization with clear standards, repeatable playbooks, and a strong leadership bench.
Our Director – Network Performance Optimization & Automation will earn between $174,100 - $261,100. Not to mention all the other amazing rewards that working at AT&T offers. Individual starting salary within this range may depend on geography, experience, expertise, and education/training.
Joining our team comes with amazing perks and benefits:
- Medical/Dental/Vision coverage
- 401(k) plan
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Paid Time Off and Holidays (based on date of hire, at least 28 days of vacation each year and 9 company-designated holidays)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Caregiver Leave
- Additional sick leave beyond what state and local law require may be available but is unprotected
- Adoption Reimbursement
- Disability Benefits (short term and long term)
- Life and Accidental Death Insurance
- Supplemental benefit programs: critical illness/accident hospital indemnity/group legal
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- Extensive employee wellness programs
- Employee discounts up to 50% off on eligible AT&T mobility plans and accessories, AT&T internet (and fiber where available) and AT&T phone
- Long Term Grants and Deferred Compensation
A career with us, a global leader in communications and technology, comes with big rewards. As part of our team, you will lead transformation surrounded by trailblazing industry leaders like you. You will be empowered to go above and beyond – making a difference through company-sponsored initiatives or connecting and networking through one of our many employee groups. And regardless of where you are at in your career trajectory, you will be rewarded by the impact that comes with making a difference in the lives of millions. With AT&T, you will be a part of something greater, do incredible things and be rewarded with a chance to change the world.
AT&T will consider for employment qualified applicants in a manner consistent with the requirements of federal, State, and local laws.
Ready to close the deal on a career with AT&T? Apply today!
Weekly Hours:
40Time Type:
RegularLocation:
Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, TexasSalary Range:
$155,400.00 - $261,100.00It is the policy of AT&T to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, AT&T will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. AT&T is a fair chance employer and does not initiate a background check until an offer is made.
Job ID R-100669-1 Date posted 02/20/2026
Benefits
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- Paid Time Off
- Tuition Assistance
- Medical and dental plans
- Discounts
- Training & Development
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