Head – Delivery & Operations, Linear Engineering Services at N Consulting Ltd

Job Title: Head – Delivery & Operations, Linear Engineering Services

Location: Onsite Chennai

Experience: 15-18 years of experience in telecom engineering 

Domain Expertise (Must-Have)

• Strong knowledge of linear infrastructure engineering principles
• Familiarity with LiDAR technology and GIS-based design tools
• Working understanding of permitting and statutory approval processes
• Knowledge of constructability considerations relevant to EPC execution
• Experience building delivery governance and QA/QC frameworks

Role Purpose

The Head – Delivery & Operations will be the end-to-end owner of the linear engineering delivery arm of the organization, responsible for ensuring high-quality, on-time, and cost-efficient execution of telecom design and engineering projects.

The organization currently operates in the telecom sector, delivering:

• LiDAR-based ground surveys
• Route planning and linear network design
• As-built engineering packs

This role will:

• Develop in-house LLD and permitting capabilities to enable value chain expansion in near team
• Lead and scale the full engineering delivery organization
• Ensure seamless client interface post-project award
• Build operational rigor, quality systems, and delivery governance
• Establish best-in-class standards for telecom engineering services
• Prepare the organization for expansion into utilities and other linear infrastructure sectors

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong technical depth in telecom engineering projects, operational excellence capabilities, and the ability to build scalable delivery systems. The individual must combine engineering judgment, project governance expertise, and commercial awareness to ensure delivery excellence and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

1) End-to-End Engineering Delivery Ownership

• Own the complete lifecycle of engineering multiple projects delivery concurrently from project kick-off to final submission
• Ensure timely and high-quality delivery of:
  • LiDAR survey outputs and data processing
  • Route alignment and network planning
  • As-built drawings and engineering packs
  • LLD documentation
  • Permits and statutory approvals
• Establish delivery KPIs (quality, TAT, cost efficiency, client SLAs)
• Act as final escalation authority for delivery-related risks and technical challenges

2) Operational Excellence & Governance

• Build a structured engineering delivery operating model
• Implement delivery governance frameworks, review mechanisms, and milestone tracking
• Establish QA/QC systems for survey, design, and documentation outputs
• Build engineering capacity planning models aligned with pipeline growth

3) Technical Leadership – Telecom Engineering

• Provide technical oversight across:
  • GIS-based design systems
  • LiDAR data utilization and interpretation
  • Fiber network design and permits
  • Utility corridor planning
  • Linear infrastructure engineering
• Ensure adherence to telecom standards, local regulatory requirements, and client specifications
• Guide engineering teams on constructability, cost optimization, and field feasibility
• Integrate feedback loops from EPC clients to continuously improve engineering outputs

4) Client Interface & Commercial Alignment

• Serve as primary client liaison post-project award
• Liaise with on-demand permitting agents to support regulatory approval processes
• Participate in project kick-offs and ensure scope clarity and expectation alignment
• Drive regular client reviews and delivery updates
• Manage change requests and scope variations in alignment with commercial teams
• Ensure high customer satisfaction and repeat business

5) Expansion into Utilities & New Sectors

• Develop engineering delivery capability for adjacent sectors such as:
  • Power distribution and transmission
  • Gas pipelines
  • Water and sewer networks
  • Other linear infrastructure domains
• Identify capability gaps and build sector-specific expertise
• Develop sector-ready design frameworks and compliance systems
• Support business development with technical inputs for new market entry

6) Organization Building & Leadership

• Lead and mentor all LLD Managers and engineering delivery teams
• Define organizational structure for scale (regional teams, sector verticals, etc.)
• Build a performance-driven engineering culture focused on accountability and quality
• Foster cross-functional collaboration between Sales, Finance, and Operations

Success Measures

What success looks like 24 months into the role:

Delivery Excellence

• Achieve $5M+ in operational revenue by the end of Year 2, with a targeted EBITDA margin of 10–15%

Scalable Engineering Organization

• Scale the existing GIS and LiDAR delivery team to 2x its current capacity
• Establish a 12-15 member LLD and Permitting team to support US telecom operations, with a plan to double capacity by Year 2
• Build and operationalize a 100-member integrated engineering delivery organization comprising LLD Managers, Permitting Experts, OSP Engineers, QA Specialists, GIS Analysts, and LiDAR Engineers

Client Impact

• Successfully execute pilot LLD and permitting projects for US telecom clients, converting delivery into repeat business engagements.
• Drive deeper client engagement across BEAD and non-BEAD US telecom rollouts, delivering projects for 5+ telecom operators and infrastructure companies

Diversification

• Lead pilot project execution in the European telecom sector, converting initial engagements into sustained client relationships
• Diversified revenue mix beyond US telecom and BEAD program

Candidate Profile

Experience & Background

• 15-18 years of experience in telecom engineering, linear infrastructure, or design services organizations
• Experience in firms providing engineering services to telecom operators, EPC players, or utilities (e.g., Cyient, RMSI, Tata Consulting Engineers, etc.)
• Proven track record of leading large engineering delivery teams
• Experience managing multi-project environments with strict SLAs
• Exposure to utilities or adjacent infrastructure sectors preferred

Domain Expertise (Must-Have)

• Strong knowledge of linear infrastructure engineering principles
• Familiarity with LiDAR technology and GIS-based design tools
• Working understanding of permitting and statutory approval processes
• Knowledge of constructability considerations relevant to EPC execution
• Experience building delivery governance and QA/QC frameworks

Leadership Competencies

• Strong execution and operational rigor
• Ability to scale teams and processes
• Client-facing maturity and stakeholder management
• Structured problem-solving and decision-making
• Commercial awareness in engineering services environments

Education

• B.E./B.Tech in Civil / Electrical / Telecom / Mechanical Engineering
• Postgraduate qualification in Infrastructure Management / Project Management (preferred)