Lead- Drone Capture Operations

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About this opportunity:
We are seeking a Lead Engineer to join the Ericsson Site Digital Twin Engineering team and lead the delivery of drone captures through Ericsson-approved vendors. This is a senior, lead-level role supporting multiple customers across the United States and Canada. The role has two core areas of focus: managing our drone and software suppliers, and managing relationships with customers, turf vendors, market delivery teams, and the close-out team. The ideal candidate is curious, self-driven, and motivated to solve problems. You will work both independently and as part of a team to achieve organizational goals and targets.
What you will do:
Vendor Management (Drone and Software Suppliers) - primary focus of the role

• Manage day-to-day vendor operations, including site assignment, delivery tracking, and Sitetracker updates (including sites with issues).
• Develop and implement vendor strategies that support business objectives.
• Lead vendor governance: track performance metrics and drive continuous improvement.
• Partner with Sourcing to create and implement vendor contracts.
• Drive resolution of technical issues with vendor software and APIs, and track them through to closure.
• Resolve sites with reality model issues promptly, with an SLA-focused mindset.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting of scaling, tilt, and other modelling issues.
• Coordinate issue resolution with Ericsson teams such as BIM, One Ring, and SDP.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the drone capture QC function and resolve sites with capture issues.

Customer and Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a consultative partner to customers, communicating clearly and managing their requirements.
• Lead customer discussions on production volumes and quality.
• Manage multiple customers concurrently across the US and Canada.
• Work with turf vendors, market delivery teams, and the close-out team to drive resolution of quality issues and keep delivery on track.
• Resolve site access issues and agree exceptions with customers.
• Coordinate activities across Ericsson and customer departments, divisions, and companies.

Leadership and Continuous Improvement

• Lead and manage remote offshore teams.
• Develop and drive Drone Program Improvements and Automations to reduce cost, improve cycle time and increase customer satisfaction.
• Identify and drive innovation opportunities that deliver meaningful cost savings or add-on sales.

The skills you bring:

• Min 8 years of experience managing large-scale operations (1000s of sites)
• 5 years' experience managing customers directly
• Bachelor or master's degree or project/program management or vendor management experience
• Proficient in English, written and spoken
• Familiarity with ESDT (Ericsson Site Digital Twin) or managing drone vendors is a plus
• Curious, self-driven, and motivated to solve problems, with the ability to handle new and unexpected issues.
• Expertise in Site tracker.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with a high degree of independence while managing project and customer expectations.

Why join Ericsson?
At Ericsson, you'll have an outstanding opportunity. The chance to use your skills and imagination to push the boundaries of what's possible. To build solutions never seen before to some of the world's toughest problems. You'll be challenged, but you won't be alone. You'll be joining a team of diverse innovators, all driven to go beyond the status quo to craft what comes next.
What happens once you apply?
Click Here to find all you need to know about what our typical hiring process looks like.
Ericsson uses a merit-based hiring approach that values people with different experiences, perspectives and skillsets. We truly believe this approach drives innovation, which is essential for our future growth. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and realize their full potential as part of our Ericsson team. Ericsson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer, learn more.
If you need assistance or to request an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Ericsson at [email protected].
DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for this position, and you may be required to perform additional job tasks as assigned.
Sponsorship Information: Ericsson Inc. does not sponsor U.S work authorizations for this job position including U.S. immigration filings for initial and/or change of employer paperwork for H-1's, H-1B1's, E-3's, O-1's, and TN's. Ericsson also does not hire F-1's who now or in the future would require Ericsson sponsorship or Ericsson completion of an F-1 STEM Training Plan.
Primary country and city: United States (US) || Plano (Country/ City)
Job details: Network Engineer
Compensation and Benefits at Ericsson
At Ericsson, we know that our people are the key to our success. We offer a competitive package to help with your individual needs and goals.
Your Pay
The salary range for this position is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, and the candidate's combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience.
Short-Term Variable Compensation Plan (STV ): Your pay also includes the opportunity for an annual bonus. Actual bonus payouts are based on performance of the business against the unit's objectives, individual performance, and the individual bonus target. Certain eligibility and pro-ration rules apply.
Your Health
Ericsson offers excellent health benefits including the choice of three medical plan options and a dental plan option that allow an employee to select the level of coverage that suits their needs. Employees will receive company credits in an amount equal to the cost that Ericsson pays toward the cost of their medical and dental premiums for themselves and eligible covered dependents.
Your Financial Security
We invest in both your short and long-term financial wellbeing. The Ericsson US 401(k) Plan offers an automatic 3% company contribution and Ericsson match $1 for every $1 you put into the 401(k) Plan on the first 3% of your eligible pay, plus 50 cents on every $1 on the next 2% of eligible pay. When you contribute at least 5% of eligible pay, you are receiving Ericsson's full matching contributions of 4%. Matching and company automatic contributions stop when your total eligible pay for the year reaches the IRS limits. Employees will also receive company credits in an amount equal to the cost of basic life insurance and basic accidental death and dismemberment coverage, as well as short-term and long-term disability coverage. Employees also have the option to participate in Ericsson's Stock Purchase Plan.
Your Time
Your work-life balance is important to us. New employees are provided a minimum of 15 days of accrued vacation, up to 3 personal days per year, 11 annual holidays, 8 hours of volunteer time, and 80 hours of sick time annually. Please note paid time off is pro-rated based on the employee's start date. Furthermore, Ericsson provides up to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and 6 weeks of parental or adoption leave at 100% of pay.
Additional Benefits
Ericsson offers many other company-paid benefits such as financial wellness programs, educational assistance, matching gifts, and recognition programs.