After 25+ years across Navy electronics, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Ericsson — plus a recent healthcare detour — here’s what I’m looking for next.
The Fit Matters More Than the Title
Over the years, I’ve worn many titles: Network Engineer, Solutions Architect, Technology Architect, Sales Agent. Yet titles never defined me. What matters is the work itself. Solving hard problems in network infrastructure. Leading cross-functional teams. Working where deep technical knowledge is valued, surrounded by people who care about doing things right.
Where I Want to Work
1. Network Engineering & Architecture
I know RAN, CORE, Transport, small cells, and backhaul deeply. For two decades, I’ve designed, deployed, and troubleshot the infrastructure that carries real people’s data.
2. Technical Program Management
This role sits at the intersection of engineering and leadership. I’ve facilitated executive operations forums and managed cross-functional teams across multiple organizations. I speak both “engineering” and “business.”
3. Solutions Architecture
Requirements need to become working systems. I did this for Sprint while at Ericsson, turning network designs into operational best practices used by teams nationwide.
4. Defense & Electronics
My Navy background and security clearance history shine here. Radar systems. Communications maintenance. Component-level diagnostics. This is where I started. It’s also where my deepest technical instincts live.
5. Technical Sourcing & Vendor Management
I’ve managed relationships with NEC, Marconi, Nortel, and Ericsson. I know how to evaluate RFPs and negotiate vendor contracts. Most importantly, I make sure procurement decisions actually serve the engineers who live with the results.
Location Matters
I’m based in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. I’m looking for roles within about 20 miles, or fully remote. The Kansas City area has a surprisingly deep telecom talent pool. T-Mobile is headquartered nearby. Sprint heritage companies remain active. Even the defense ecosystem is growing, with Honeywell FM&T, L3Harris, and Indra Group all present.
What I Bring
- 20+ years of carrier experience across the biggest names in telecom
- $120M+ capital project leadership
- Navy discipline, honor graduate pedigree, Top Secret clearance history
- Recent cross-sector experience in healthcare and consultative sales
- Power BI and Tableau dashboard design — translating data into executive insights
- Current on AI, data analytics, and modern tools — I’m not resting on past experience
Let’s Connect
If you’re hiring for any of these roles — or know someone who is — I’d love to talk.
Email: coops.research@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sneilcooper
Neil Cooper is a senior telecommunications engineer with 25+ years of carrier network experience across Sprint, T-Mobile, and Ericsson. He is a U.S. Navy Veteran (Electronics Technician, Honor Graduate) based in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.