Tshepo Seku
Automation Product Lead
Johannesburg
Summary
Electronics Engineer and Solution Owner with 17+ years of experience spanning defence, telecommunications, and digital transformation. Combines deep technical expertise in RF and electronic systems with product leadership, automation, and AI-driven solutions to deliver complex projects, optimise operations, and accelerate innovation.
Overview
3
3
Certifications
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Specialist, Radio Access Networks (RAN)
MTN South Africa
05.2023 - Current
- Solution Owner for automation and digital transformation initiatives within RAN, owning delivery from business need discovery through implementation and value tracking.
- Defined solution objectives, delivery priorities and roadmap aligned to strategic initiatives.
- Facilitated stakeholder discovery and translated needs into prioritised user stories with clear acceptance criteria.
- Owned and maintained the delivery backlog, including refinement, sprint planning, story elaboration and prioritisation in environments with competing demands.
- Reviewed completed work against acceptance criteria, coordinated UAT and drove delivery sign-off to ensure readiness for adoption and scale.
- Tracked delivery progress using agile reporting and delivery metrics, communicating outcomes, risks and dependencies to stakeholders.
- Delivered the CeRC Automation Project enabling remote automation of device testing on the live network.
- Reduced end-to-end device testing turnaround time from 3 days to 2 hours per device through workflow automation and remote execution.
- Scaled automation throughput to approximately 20 devices per week, enabling repeatable, consistent execution at scale.
- Achieved an estimated 440 manual effort hours saved per week (22 hours saved per device x ~20 devices/week).
- Built and maintained automation components using Bash, Python, SQL, Linux and Selenium web scraping to support device capability extraction and structured test execution.
- Integrated automation outputs into OSS environments via API-based integration, improving visibility, traceability and operational adoption.
- Developed Power BI dashboards providing executive visibility into automation scale, throughput, quality improvements and operational impact.
System Technician
Hensoldt Optronics
02.2021 - 04.2023
- Tested and maintained advanced electro-optical surveillance systems.
- Performed electronic fault diagnosis, calibration and system integration.
- Conducted preventive and corrective maintenance on mission-critical defence equipment.
- Supported verification, validation and acceptance testing.
- Worked with multidisciplinary engineering teams to improve system reliability and performance.
- Produced technical reports and root cause investigations.
Technical Manager (Laser Warner System)
Saab Grintek Defence
10.2015 - 12.2019
- Managed manufacture, testing and delivery of military electronic warning systems.
- Supervised production technicians and engineering resources.
- Oversaw electronic assembly, integration, environmental testing and quality assurance.
- Coordinated engineering changes, production planning and supplier activities.
- Implemented Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to improve production efficiency.
- Managed production schedules, budgets and technical risks.
Senior Electronic Technician
One Cell Holdings
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Diagnosed and repaired telecom electronic equipment to component level.
- Performed PCB troubleshooting and solder rework.
- Conducted functional testing and quality inspections.
- Led technical repair teams.
- Improved repair turnaround through process optimisation.
- Maintained production and repair documentation.
R&D Technician
Robonica (Pty) Ltd
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Built and tested electronic prototypes.
- Assisted engineers with circuit assembly and product development.
- Performed verification testing on prototype hardware.
- Supported transition from prototype to production.
- Managed engineering materials, procurement and production planning.
Education
Master of Management - Digital Business
Wits Business School
01.2021
Postgraduate Diploma - Business Administration
Wits Business School
01.2018
BTech - Electrical Engineering
Tshwane University of Technology
01.2017
Skills
Electronic Systems Engineering
Electronics Troubleshooting
RF & Electro-Optical Systems
System Integration
PCB Assembly & Testing
Manufacturing Engineering
Linux
REST APIs
Power BI
Agile Delivery
Stakeholder management
Competitive analysis
Requirements gathering
Mastery of data collection
Problem-solving
Teamwork and collaboration
Time management
Effective communication
Analytical thinking
Customer relationship management
Strategic planning
Presentation skills
Market research
Product documentation
Business analysis
Product positioning
Market analysis
Customer engagement
Certification
New Managers Program — Wits Business School
TOOLS & TECHNOLOGIES
- Programming: Python, Bash, SQL
- Operating Systems: Linux, Windows
- Electronics: Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, Signal Generators, Electronic Test Equipment
- Manufacturing: PCB Assembly, Electronic Production, Soldering, Fault Finding
- Engineering: Root Cause Analysis, System Integration, Reliability Engineering, Hardware Testing
- Automation: Selenium, REST APIs, OSS Integration
- Reporting: Power BI, Tableau
- Methods: Agile, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Project Management
Timeline
Product Specialist, Radio Access Networks (RAN)
MTN South Africa
05.2023 - Current
System Technician
Hensoldt Optronics
02.2021 - 04.2023
Technical Manager (Laser Warner System)
Saab Grintek Defence
10.2015 - 12.2019
Senior Electronic Technician
One Cell Holdings
01.2010 - 01.2013
R&D Technician
Robonica (Pty) Ltd
01.2007 - 01.2010
BTech - Electrical Engineering
Tshwane University of Technology
Postgraduate Diploma - Business Administration
Wits Business School
Master of Management - Digital Business
Wits Business School