Sr Manager - Technology & Platform Development

Tata Communications Redefines Connectivity with Innovation and IntelligenceDriving the next level of intelligence powered by Cloud, Mobility, Internet of Things, Collaboration, Security, Media services and Network services, we at Tata Communications are envisaging a New World of Communications

Job Requirements (JR):

Senior Manager (B4-1) - Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

Location: Chennai

Role Purpose

Lead the strategy, product development, transformation, onboarding, orchestration, and engineering evolution of the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) portfolio, encompassing SD-WAN, Secure Service Edge (SSE) and Secure Internet Access.

The role requires deep expertise in Lead-to-Order (L2O), Order-to-Cash/Order-to-Billing (O2C/O2B), and Trouble-to-Resolve (T2R) customer journeys, service orchestration platforms, AI-enabled automation, API-driven ecosystems, and cloud-native security architectures. The position will drive seamless customer onboarding, service lifecycle management, policy-based provisioning, and Zero-Touch MACD (Move, Add, Change, Delete) operations across the SASE portfolio while enabling scalable digital service delivery and customer experience transformation.

Key Responsibilities

SASE Product Strategy & Portfolio Management

Drive product strategy, portfolio evolution, onboarding, and lifecycle management for SASE services including SD-WAN, SSE, and Secure Internet Access.

Define and execute product roadmaps aligned with enterprise security, cloud transformation, and digital connectivity strategies.

Lead portfolio modernization initiatives to improve customer experience, operational efficiency, automation, and service adoption.

Partner with business, product management, security architecture, and commercial teams to develop next-generation managed SASE offerings.

Product Development & Engineering Leadership

Own end-to-end telecom and security software product development, release governance, roadmap execution, and portfolio transformation.

Lead engineering teams responsible for service onboarding, orchestration, workflow automation, and customer lifecycle management.

Drive adoption of cloud-native, API-first, and microservices-based architectures across SASE platforms.

Ensure scalable and secure service delivery through standardized engineering and operational frameworks.

Digital Customer Journey Transformation

Lead transformation initiatives across L2O, O2C/O2B, and T2R value streams for SASE products.

Drive self-service capabilities for provisioning, configuration management, policy deployment, service upgrades, and MACD operations.

Improve customer onboarding, service activation, assurance, incident management, and billing experiences through automation and orchestration.

Enhance digital channels and customer portals to support secure service consumption and lifecycle management.

Service Orchestration & Automation

Lead implementation and integration of Service Orchestration platforms, Cisco NSO, MSO, SD-WAN controllers, and cloud security management platforms.

Drive onboarding of SASE services onto orchestration platforms for automated fulfillment and service activation.

Enable policy-driven provisioning, Zero-Touch deployment, automated configuration management, and lifecycle automation.

Govern orchestration architectures spanning CRM, Order Management, Inventory, Security Platforms, Assurance, and Billing ecosystems.

API & Ecosystem Integration

Define API-led integration strategies across OSS/BSS platforms, security vendors, hyperscalers, and network domains.

Drive adoption of TM Forum Open APIs, API management frameworks, and digital ecosystem integrations.

Lead integration initiatives involving Salesforce, ServiceNow, SAP, orchestration platforms, and security technology stacks.

Ensure interoperability between SD-WAN, cloud security, identity management, observability, and enterprise systems.

AI & Operational Excellence

Lead AI-driven automation initiatives across fulfilment, assurance, security operations, and customer support functions.

Utilize AI/ML capabilities to improve incident prediction, root cause analysis, security posture management, and operational intelligence.

Drive automation-led reduction in manual operational effort and improved service reliability.

Establish KPIs and governance frameworks for automation maturity and customer experience improvements.

Stakeholder & Delivery Leadership

Collaborate with Product, Security, Engineering, Architecture, Operations, and Commercial teams to drive portfolio outcomes.

Conduct business requirement analysis, solution assessments, impact analysis, estimation, and investment planning.

Lead leadership reviews, customer demonstrations, architecture governance, PI planning, UAT governance, and program steering committees.

Manage strategic relationships with technology partners, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Required Experience & Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, Information Technology, Cyber Security, or related discipline.

8+ years of experience in Telecom, Networking, Cloud Security, SASE, and Software Product Engineering domains.

Proven expertise in L2O, O2C/O2B, and T2R process transformation within telecom, networking, or managed security services environments.

Strong experience in SASE technologies including:

SD-WAN

Secure Service Edge (SSE)

Secure Internet Access

Experience with service orchestration, provisioning automation, and lifecycle management platforms.

Deep understanding of enterprise networking technologies including WAN, LAN, MPLS, Internet, Routing, Switching, SD-WAN, and Cloud Connectivity.

Experience in API-first architectures, cloud platforms, automation frameworks, and AI-enabled operational models.

Strong exposure to OSS/BSS ecosystems and integration architectures.

Experience leading enterprise-scale transformation programs and customer journey modernization initiatives.

Preferred Technical Expertise

SASE & Security Technologies

Cisco Secure Access

Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela)

Palo Alto Prisma SASE

Netskope

Zscaler

Fortinet SASE

SSE Platforms

Networking & Connectivity

SD-WAN

MPLS

Routing & Switching

Hybrid Connectivity

Internet & Cloud Connectivity

Software Defined Networking (SDN)

Service Orchestration & Automation

Zero-Touch Provisioning

Service Lifecycle Management

Network Automation Frameworks

OSS/BSS & Digital Platforms

Salesforce (SFDC)

ServiceNow

SAP S/4HANA

Order Management Platforms

CRM

Inventory, Assurance & Billing Systems

TM Forum Open APIs

Open Digital Architecture (ODA)

Cloud & AI Technologies

AWS

Azure

Google Cloud

Container & Kubernetes Platforms

AI/ML-powered Operations

AIOps

Observability Platforms

Security Analytics & Automation

Desirable Experience

Minimum 5 years as Product Owner, Engineering Manager, Digital Product Manager, or Portfolio Lead within SASE, Managed Security, SD-WAN, Enterprise Connectivity, or Security Services domains.

Experience with SAFe Agile delivery models including PI Planning, Release Train Management, Portfolio Governance, and Backlog Prioritization.

Experience managing product investments, engineering budgets, business cases, and benefit realization.

Proven experience in EPIC management, journey mapping, portfolio planning, and strategic roadmap development.

Strong experience driving cross-functional alignment across OSS/BSS platforms, orchestration systems, cloud environments, and security platforms.

Experience in onboarding security services onto automated fulfilment and orchestration platforms.

Exposure to AI-driven security operations, AIOps, and cloud-native service delivery environments.

Core Competencies

SASE Portfolio Management & Strategy

Product Engineering & Service Lifecycle Management

SD-WAN & Secure Access Services

L2O, O2C/O2B & T2R Transformation

Service Orchestration & Automation

Zero-Touch Provisioning & MACD Automation

OSS/BSS Architecture & Transformation

Cloud Security & Enterprise Networking

AI & Digital Transformation Leadership

Portfolio Governance & Roadmap Management

SAFe Agile Delivery & PI Planning

Stakeholder & Executive Management

Success Measures

Reduction in L2O, O2C/O2B, and T2R cycle times for SASE services.

Increased automation and straight-through provisioning rates.

Successful onboarding of SASE products onto orchestration and fulfilment platforms.

Expansion of Zero-Touch deployment and MACD capabilities.

Improved customer onboarding, activation, and service assurance KPIs.

Growth in SASE adoption, customer retention, and portfolio revenues.

Increased API utilization, orchestration maturity, and operational efficiency.

Enhanced AI-driven operational outcomes and service reliability.

Successful execution of portfolio roadmaps, PI objectives, and transformation initiatives.

Improved customer experience and business outcomes across the SASE service portfolio.