Wilfred Ikechukwu Nwakpu
Seattle,USA
Summary
Experienced telecom and IT professional with 18 years in optical network infrastructure, automation, and network management systems. Innovated solutions for complex customer-facing network challenges, delivering exceptional service quality and enhancing organizational readiness for evolving business needs.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Optical Development Engineer II
Amazon Data Services US
Seattle, Washington
12.2024 - Current
- Manage Amazon's global optical transport network infrastructure operations across 17,000+ devices
- Develop automation software for Amazon's global DWDM network operations
- Architected and implemented scalable optical network management solutions, achieving 99.99% uptime
- Implement network event monitoring and correlation systems for the optical domain
- Design automated test frameworks for optical devices and modules qualification
- Develop comprehensive test plans for in-house and OEM product validation
- Reduced network outage mean-time-to-restore by implementing automated remediation processes and ticket tracking/escalation mechanisms
- Ensure reliable network availability and connectivity across all Amazon service platforms with 99.9% success rate
- Established proactive monitoring systems across global optical network infrastructure, reducing incident response time by 40%
- Enhanced network performance through automated health checks and predictive maintenance protocols
- Engineered automated spare parts ordering system, eliminating 95% of manual interventions and reducing procurement cycles by 60%
- Developed real-time spare inventory tracking and alerting system, maintaining 99.9% accuracy in stock management
- Implemented end-to-end automated scheduling and task orchestration workflows, optimizing resource allocation and operational efficiency
- Troubleshoot complex network issues using Amazon's proprietary tools, workflows, and management systems
- Implemented automated vulnerability scanning and mitigation protocols, reducing security risks by 75%
- Developed and validated software testing frameworks, achieving 99% code coverage for enhanced software reliability
Optical Development Engineer II
Amazon Data Services Ireland Limited
Dublin, Ireland
08.2022 - 10.2024
- Managed Amazon's global optical transport network infrastructure operations
- Developed automation software for Amazon's global DWDM network operations
- Implemented new optical network management solutions to enhance operational efficiency
- Designed and automated optical test plans and qualification procedures for optical modules
- Ensured reliable network availability and connectivity across all Amazon service platforms
- Reduced network outage times through automated processes by 30%
- Streamlined repetitive tasks by creating Blade Runner, UNS, and Terminator workflows
- Implemented network event monitoring and correlation systems for the optical domain
- Troubleshot complex network issues using Amazon's proprietary tools and management systems
- Ensured proactive monitoring of optical network elements
- Improved global optical network availability and performance
- Evaluated new hardware and software features through collaboration with vendors
- Created operational plans for network integration
- Developed test plans for both in-house and third-party OEM products
- Mitigated network device security vulnerabilities
- Protected customer information confidentiality and integrity
- Validated software tools for network operations improvement
- Ensured adherence to best practices and coding standards
Optical Pre-Sales Engineer (Nokia G-10)
Nokia Networks
03.2022 - 08.2022
- Created and managed comprehensive optical network portfolio solutions for Nokia customers in West/East Africa Market
- Served as trusted technical advisor for optical customer accounts
- Designed and influenced customer network architectures and RFP solutions to meet specific client needs
- Established design guidelines ensuring effective and efficient solution implementation
- Managed customer requirements alignment with ION RBC (Regional Business Center)
- Drove new product introductions and lifecycle management
- Owned and led optical product RFP processes
- Proactively identified and developed new product applications and solutions
- Positioned products strategically in the market
- Monitored market trends and customer needs
- Identified new market opportunities and applications
- Developed and delivered technical solution presentations
- Consulted on customer architecture designs, aligning technical solutions with strategic objectives
- Guided network evolution strategies
- Advised on implementation best practices
- Built and maintained strategic customer relationships
Senior Customer Engineering Specialist
Nokia Networks Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria
01.2017 - 03.2022
- Collaborated with Nokia Product and Sales teams to identify and align solutions with customer needs, enhancing customer satisfaction
- Designed and implemented customer DCN networks with 99.999% availability
- Supported business development initiatives across Nokia OSS portfolio, contributing to strategic growth and customer engagement
- Developed high-level and low-level designs for Nokia Optical and IP Management Systems
- Executed Method of Procedures for Nokia Optical Network Management suite
- Prepared comprehensive documentation for product acceptance and testing, streamlining the onboarding process for new products
- Installed, configured, and migrated various Nokia management systems (130NM, 1354RM, 1354BM, 1353OMS, NFM-T, NRC-Packet/Transport/Cross-Domain)
- Deployed and managed Nokia 1830PSS Wave Suites for DWDM networks
- Implemented node supervision, infrastructure setup, and traffic management
- Configured and activated ASON-GMRE on 1830-PSS family for network resilience
- Created and managed OTN/Ethernet/transparent services as per work orders
- Troubleshot link failures and network outages (L0-L3)
- Conducted OS security patches, kernel hardening, and system administration
- Developed automated system and network backups using Python and shell scripting
- Key Achievement: Designed and undertook complete transformation and modernization of 3G/4G service traffic backhaul links by introducing traffic policy mapping and aggregation, earning Nokia global recognition award from the Vice President Managed Services in 2015.
Integration Professional – IP Routing & Transport
Alcatel-Lucent Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria
01.2012 - 12.2016
- Configured and integrated DCN infrastructure components (switches, routers, transmission elements)
- Managed network elements via centralized management platforms to ensure optimal performance and reliability
- Validated and commissioned node installations against baseline specifications
- Implemented customer work orders for backbone and access networks
- Created and managed customer circuits through NMS
- Coordinated with remote expertise centers for incident resolution
- Conducted network fault analysis and troubleshooting to resolve issues promptly and maintain service continuity
- Defined network element attributes for system management
- Executed software release upgrades and patch management
- Documented performance metrics and maintained technical records
- Ensured compliance with operational procedures and standards
- Deployed and maintained HP-UX servers
- Key Achievement: Designed and undertook complete transformation and modernization of 3G/4G service traffic backhaul links by introducing traffic policy mapping and aggregation, earning Nokia global recognition award from the Vice President Managed Services in 2015.
Enterprise Network Operations Specialist
Multi-links-Telkom Telecommunication Ltd.
Lagos, Nigeria
08.2005 - 12.2011
- Deployed last-mile transmission infrastructure (Cisco routers/switches, SDH multiplexers, licensed-band microwave radios)
- Integrated network elements into existing systems
- Managed network management tools and systems
- Monitored and optimized network performance
- Executed proactive problem resolution
- Executed Proof of Concept demonstrations to validate network solutions and enhance client engagement
- Tracked and reported project implementation progress to ensure timely delivery and alignment with project goals
- Provisioned and maintained enterprise customer services
- Analyzed service performance against SLA commitments to identify areas for improvement and enhance customer satisfaction
- Implemented service quality improvements
Network Support Engineer – Trainee
Intra-Metropolitan Technologies (I.M.T)
Lagos, Nigeria
09.2004 - 07.2005
- Installed and configured Ethernet LAN cabling, customer switches, routers, and hubs to facilitate intrasystem communication and internet access.
- Diagnosed and resolved TCP/IP-related issues in network systems to ensure smooth communication.
- Installed and configured Windows Server 2003, created and administered group and user accounts for streamlined access management.
- Assembled computer systems, installed and maintained software, and performed upgrades to ensure optimal performance.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering - Electrical Electronics Engineering (Hons.)
Enugu State University of Science and Technology
Enugu, Nigeria10.2002
Skills
- Optical networking expertise
- Expert in Optical network engineering
- DWDM routing protocols expertise
- Network automation methodologies and tools
- IP routing strategies (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, RIP, MPLS)
- SDN frameworks and solutions
- Proficiency in Netconf, YANG, SNMP, TL-1
- API integration and development
- Python programming skills
- Bash scripting abilities
- XML data handling techniques
- Linux administration with Docker microservices deployment
- System virtualization techniques
- Operational network design principles
- Scalable network solution architecture
- Network troubleshooting techniques
- Efficiency-driven process improvement initiatives
- Best practices in optical network management
- Test plan development methodologies
Certification
- ONDP (Nokia Optical Network Design Professional), 04/01/21
- CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), 11/01/07
Awards
- Alcatel-Lucent Certificate of Appreciation Award for Outstanding Performance, 12/01/15
- National Mathematical Science Students Merit Award – Federal Republic of Nigeria, 04/01/94
References
- Prof. James Nwite, Faculty of Agriculture, Ebonyi State University, nwitejamesn@yahoo.com, +234 806 476 4659
- Mr. Basil Onodu, Amazon Data Services Ireland Limited, Dublin, Ireland, basonodu@amazon.com, +353 87 602 6092
- Mr. Uchenna Onweluzo, Customer Delivery Manager, Nokia Networks Nigeria, uchenna.oweluzo@nokia.com, +234 817 649 9269
Professional Training And Workshops
- Docker Micro-service Architecture and Container Orchestration, 2021
- Nokia Advanced Optical Network Management with NFM-T, 2021
- Nokia Optical Network Management with NFM-T, 2020
- Nokia Advanced Optical Network Design, 2020
- Nokia Fundamentals of Optical Network Design, 2020
- Alcatel-Lucent 1660SM, 1662 SM|SMC family and Integrated Service Adapter Cards architecture, operations, Service Configuration, and troubleshooting, 2014
- Alcatel-Lucent 1353OMS Optical Management System Installation, Administration and Operations, 2014
- Alcatel-Lucent 5620 SAM IP Management System Installation, Administration and Operations, 2014
- Alcatel-Lucent 1353NM, 1354RM, 1354BM Installation, Administration and Operations, 2012
Key Projects And Accomplishments
- Amazon (AWS), Global, 08/01/22, Present, Led automation initiative for break-fix mechanisms managing 17,000+ air filter replacements across Amazon's global optical network infrastructure.
- MTN Nigeria Project, 01/01/21, 08/01/22, Led OSS team in modernizing MTN Nigeria network resource management tools to prepare network for SDN and System Automation functionalities.
- ONATEL Burkina Faso, West Africa, 08/01/20, 11/01/20, Drove network management software upgrade, database migration, and seamless integration of legacy equipment with DWDM nodes.
- Liquid Telecoms Kenya, East Africa, 05/01/20, 07/01/20, Migrated customer enterprise service from SDH platform to DWDM platform with ASON protection.
- Sonatel Senegal, West Africa, 03/01/20, 04/01/20, OSS platform and OS upgrade, database and service migration of Nokia 1350OMS to NFM-T 19.9.2.
- Orange Morocco, North Africa, 01/01/20, 02/01/20, Installation of Nokia optical domain OSS, integrations, and commissioning of greenfield installations and services.
- Orange Mali, West Africa, 02/01/19, 05/01/19, OSS Software platform and OS upgrade, database and service migration of Nokia 1350OMS to NFM-T 19.3.
- Safaricom Kenya, East Africa, 06/01/18, 08/01/18, Led OSS team in implementing required transformation of network transmission capacity upgrade and service migration.
- MTN Nigeria CEM, West Africa, 01/01/18, 05/01/18, Tasked with DCN/IP technical design and implementation for CEM project.
- ADNOC UAE, Middle East, 07/01/17, 12/01/17, Managed greenfield installation, configuration, and integration of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company telecom SDH transport infrastructure.
- Vodacom South Africa, 04/01/17, 06/01/17, Managed optical OSS system installation, configuration, database migration, and integration of optical transport infrastructure.
- Etisalat Nigeria, West Africa, 01/01/12, 03/01/17, Designed and undertook complete transformation and modernization of 3G/4G service traffic backhaul links.
Timeline
Optical Development Engineer II
Amazon Data Services US
12.2024 - Current
Optical Development Engineer II
Amazon Data Services Ireland Limited
08.2022 - 10.2024
Optical Pre-Sales Engineer (Nokia G-10)
Nokia Networks
03.2022 - 08.2022
Senior Customer Engineering Specialist
Nokia Networks Nigeria
01.2017 - 03.2022
Integration Professional – IP Routing & Transport
Alcatel-Lucent Nigeria
01.2012 - 12.2016
Enterprise Network Operations Specialist
Multi-links-Telkom Telecommunication Ltd.
08.2005 - 12.2011
Network Support Engineer – Trainee
Intra-Metropolitan Technologies (I.M.T)
09.2004 - 07.2005
Bachelor of Engineering - Electrical Electronics Engineering (Hons.)
Enugu State University of Science and Technology