Director PLM, NTN RAN

Job description

Mavenir is building the future of networks and pioneering advanced technology, focusing on the vision of a single, software-based automated network that runs on any cloud. As the industry's only end-to-end, cloud-native network software provider, Mavenir is transforming the way the world connects, accelerating software network transformation for 250+ Communications Service Providers in over 120 countries, which serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers. Role Summary As Director of PLM for NTN RAN, you will own the end-to-end product roadmap for Mavenir's NTN RAN portfolio, covering NB-IoT NTN, NR NTN (3GPP Rel-17/18), and the evolution toward LEO regenerative (onboard processing) architectures. You will be the central connection point between R&D, sales, customers, and standards bodies, translating live requirements from SNOs, MNO partners, and government operators into defensible, shipped product capabilities. This role sits at the intersection of Mavenir's most strategically important growth vector and the fastest-moving segment in wireless. It is India-based, in close proximity to Mavenir's NTN R&D organization, with primary commercial responsibility for the APAC region and global contribution to active customer engagements. Key Responsibilities Product Roadmap Ownership • Define, own, and drive the multi-release NTN RAN roadmap covering NB-IoT NTN (GEO), NR NTN (transparent and regenerative LEO/GEO), beam-hopping, multi-satellite handover, and feeder link management. • Translate 3GPP Rel-17/18/19 NTN specifications and customer requirements into prioritized engineering deliverables with clear release phasing across locked, indicative, and roadmap horizons. • Own the NR NTN release cadence and coordinate cross-functional delivery milestones with engineering, test, and deployment teams. • Define NRE scope boundaries and manage gap and compliance tracking across active RFP engagements in the APAC region and beyond. Customer and Sales Engagement • Engage directly with SNO customers and prospect accounts across LEO, GEO, MEO, and D2D segments in the APAC region at both technical and executive levels to drive qualification, RFP response, and commercial close. • Lead and defend RFP responses for NTN RAN capability, including architecture design, roadmap commitment, compliance matrices, and PoC or trial scoping. • Conduct technical workshops, architecture deep-dives, and executive briefings for satellite operator customers and MNO partners across the region. • Support the full sales cycle from pipeline qualification through contract execution, including PoC design, trial milestone definition, and commercial launch readiness. • Work closely with the regional sales organization to prioritize accounts, develop pursuit strategies, and present Mavenir's NTN value proposition at operator CxO and VP level. Standards and Ecosystem • Represent Mavenir in 3GPP NTN working groups (RAN1, RAN2, RAN3) and satellite industry alliances, including MSSA and O-RAN Alliance NTN focus areas. • Track and synthesize NTN standardization evolution into actionable roadmap input, covering Rel-18 service continuity and Rel-19 regenerative NTN. • Identify, qualify, and drive integration partnerships with O-RAN ecosystem vendors, satellite payload suppliers, and ground segment integrators relevant to APAC market opportunities. • Monitor device ecosystem readiness across 3GPP NTN chipsets and D2D device ramp, and incorporate device availability assumptions into roadmap timing and customer commitments. Competitive Intelligence and Market Positioning • Maintain deep competitive awareness across the NTN RAN and Core landscape, including terrestrial vendors entering the satellite space and satellite-native entrants building their own stacks. • Develop and maintain competitive battlecards, win/loss analysis, and differentiation narratives for direct use by the APAC sales team. • Produce market intelligence inputs for the PLM leadership team and EVP/GM NTN, with a focus on APAC operator dynamics, procurement cycles, and emerging regulatory environments. Go-to-Market and Thought Leadership • Author and review NTN RAN content for white papers, award submissions, analyst briefings, and conference presentations. • Represent Mavenir at satellite and telecom industry events across the APAC region, including relevant regional Mobile World Congress events, CommunicAsia, and GSMA M360 NTN. • Partner with marketing to develop customer-facing collateral, solution briefs, and sales enablement materials anchored to verifiable, commercial milestones. Job Requirements Experience and Qualifications • Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in wireless telecommunications, with at least 4 years focused directly on NTN, satellite communications, or RAN product management. • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Telecommunications required. An MBA is a strong advantage. • Hands-on familiarity with 3GPP NTN specifications (Rel-17 NR NTN, NB-IoT NTN) and the NTN-specific RAN challenges that come with them: Doppler correction, long propagation delay handling, timing advance adaptation, beam management, and satellite mobility. • Proven track record engaging operator technical and executive stakeholders in the APAC region, w