Mkochi Nyimba

Senior Telecommunications & Maintenance Specialist
Blantyre, MW.

About

Highly accomplished Senior Telecommunications and Maintenance Specialist with over a decade of progressive experience in leading, maintaining, and optimizing complex telecommunications, signaling, and power systems. Proven expertise in project management, team leadership, and advanced technical diagnostics, consistently delivering high-impact solutions and ensuring operational excellence across diverse infrastructure environments.

Work

CLN
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Technical Maintenance Specialist

Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi

Summary

Led technical maintenance operations and training for electro-electronic equipment, optimizing procedures and supervising projects across Malawi.

Highlights

Led technical maintenance teams, overseeing electro-electronic equipment management and training technicians on advanced maintenance procedures.

Developed and refined departmental maintenance procedures, enhancing technical diagnostics and improving technician efficiency by applying best practices.

Managed and supervised contractor projects, including developing comprehensive work scopes and conducting budget planning for nationwide operations across Malawi.

Streamlined work order management by opening notifications and closing orders efficiently using SAP, ensuring timely completion of maintenance tasks.

Developed, implemented, and supported robust maintenance plans in collaboration with the PCM team, optimizing system uptime.

Executed comprehensive preventive and corrective maintenance on critical telecommunication and signaling infrastructure, including Positive Train Control (PTC), TETRA communication systems, Fibre, Microwave, Phoenix MB HotBox, Derailment Detectors, Track Circuits, Axle Counters ACM 200, S700K point machines, SIEMENS MKII Westrace, SICAS S7 electronic Interlocking, and various Power Supply Systems (Generators, UPS, Solar).

Siemens Pty Ltd
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Maintenance Engineer Signaling

Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi

Summary

Spearheaded installation, maintenance, and technical support for diverse power, telecom, and signaling systems, ensuring high operational reliability.

Highlights

Installed and maintained 3/1 phase 22KVA Perkins Diesel Generators, including routine inspections and fuel transfer systems, ensuring continuous power supply for critical operations.

Managed comprehensive power solutions, including off-grid installations (Victron Energy 3000-24V Mon Crystal Solar panels), 50V DC Power Supply Systems, and GE SG series 10KVA UPS units, optimizing energy efficiency and reliability.

Executed microwave antenna alignment and established microwave links using HUAWEI RTN 950, along with IDU/ODU installation and configuration using HUAWEI Web LCT U2000 for seamless telecom connectivity.

Maintained 13 TETRA SBS Systems and installed GPS, Satellite, & Panel Antennas, ensuring robust communication infrastructure.

Configured and maintained Westrace Systems, including Processor Modules, PM, PIM, and ROM, alongside testing and configuration of signaling systems for railway operations.

Performed maintenance on track circuits for train occupancy detection, point machines for automatic rail movements, DC track converters, and Q-type Relays, enhancing rail safety and efficiency.

Managed general energy distribution modules and network switches, proactively addressing alarms related to generator failure, low fuel, UPS failure, battery, and mains.

Conducted installation, testing, configuration, and maintenance of On-Board Computer systems, Control Modules, Display Modules, Brake Interface Modules, and TETRA systems for locomotives, including SCADA validation and software updates.

Afro Egypt Engineering (Airtel)
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Active Technician (Transmission)

Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi

Summary

Performed preventive and corrective maintenance on transmission equipment for a major telecommunications provider.

Highlights

Performed comprehensive preventive and corrective maintenance on diverse transmission equipment, including Ipaso 200/400/1000, Passolink, Flexi hybrid, Flexi packet hub, and E1, ensuring high network uptime.

Maintained critical telecommunications infrastructure, including BTS, ERICSSON, SIEMENS, and HUAWEI 3G, RTN IDU, and ODU equipment, optimizing network performance.

Managed Network Operations Center (NOC) activities, including efficient fault escalation, real-time status updates via SMS and email, and proactive monitoring of site conditions and voltages on PNMS and Net Viewer.

Luna Technologies
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Telecom Installations Supervisor

Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi

Summary

Directed telecommunications installation projects, overseeing budget, team performance, and technical delivery from planning to completion.

Highlights

Directed telecommunications installation projects, ensuring delivery in accordance with project commitments and managing assigned resources within established budgets and company operating policies.

Collaborated with the Finance department to prepare accurate budgets and quotations, ensuring financial viability and resource allocation for multiple projects.

Led and managed team performance, ensuring project tasks were delivered on schedule and within scope, while also developing comprehensive project initiation plans.

Served as the primary customer liaison for technical issues, effectively resolving complex problems and ensuring client satisfaction.

Mentored, trained, and supervised junior technicians, fostering skill development and ensuring adherence to operational standards, including monthly timesheet verification.

Oversaw the installation and maintenance of critical network components, including Node B, BTS site swapping, computer systems, software, servers, and providing network administration with LAN troubleshooting.

Managed the configuration and performance of all PC systems and telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring optimal functionality and reliability.

Supervised extensive power and RF installations, including Rectifiers, Batteries, PDU, Power Reticulation, Generators, AVR, 3G Node B (Huawei 3900), CDMA, SDH/STM-1 Radios (NEC), and commissioning BTS/Microwave Radios (HUAWEI).

Kameko Technologies
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Technician

Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi

Summary

Installed and maintained telecommunications infrastructure, including WAN, microwave links, and GSM/WCDMA/BTS systems.

Highlights

Executed comprehensive WAN installations for the GWAN project, leveraging Cisco equipment to establish robust network connectivity.

Performed critical microwave link installations, power cable installations, and E1 terminations, ensuring efficient data transmission across the network.

Installed and maintained GSM (2G), WCDMA, and BTS systems, contributing to the expansion and reliable operation of mobile network infrastructure.

Conducted thorough testing of circuit boards and equipment, identifying and rectifying anomalies to ensure optimal system performance.

Contributed to the design and planning of telecommunications networks, enhancing system architecture and operational efficiency.

Provided essential hardware and software troubleshooting, alongside network troubleshooting and installation support, resolving complex technical issues.

Education

Malawi School of Government
Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi

Bachelor of Science

Information & Communication Technology

University of Malawi - The Polytechnic
Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi

Advanced Diploma (City & Guilds)

Telecommunication Systems

University of Malawi - The Polytechnic
Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi

Diploma (City & Guilds)

Telecommunication Systems

University of Malawi - The Polytechnic
Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi

Certificate (City & Guilds)

Telecommunication Systems

Viphya Private Secondary School
Blantyre, Southern Region, Malawi

Malawi School Certificate of Education

General Education

Languages

English

Certificates

First Aid

Issued By

Nosa Certification

Risk Prevention at Work with Electricity

Issued By

VALE

Lockout and Tag Out

Issued By

VALE

Working at Heights

Issued By

Nosa Certification

Defensive Driving

Issued By

VALE

Skills

Telecommunication Systems

Positive Train Control (PTC), TETRA Communication Systems, Fibre Optics, Microwave Systems, Phoenix MB HotBox, Derailment Detectors, Track Circuits, Axle Counters ACM 200, S700K Point Machines, SIEMENS MKII Westrace, SICAS S7 Electronic Interlocking, HUAWEI RTN 950, TETRA SBS Systems, Ipaso, Passolink, Flexi Hybrid, Flexi Packet Hub, E1, BTS, Ericsson Equipment, Siemens Equipment, Huawei 3G, RTN IDU/ODU, Node B, CDMA, SDH/STM-1 Radios, GSM Antennas, Feeder Cables, Microwave Dishes, OSN/ODF Systems.

Power Systems & Energy Management

Diesel Generators (Perkins 22KVA), UPS Systems (GE SG series 10KVA), Solar Power Systems (Victron Energy 3000-24V Mon Crystal), 50V DC Power Supply Systems, 3/1 Phase Air Conditioning Systems, Power Reticulation, Rectifiers, Batteries, PDU Installation, Generator Installation, AVR Installation, Fuel Transfer Systems.

Network & System Operations

Network Troubleshooting, Network Design, Network Installation, WAN Installation (Cisco), LAN Troubleshooting, RF Installations (Indoor & Outdoor), OCS Rack Installation, On-Board Computer Systems, Control Modules, Display Modules, Brake Interface Modules, SCADA Validation, Software Updating, PLC Systems, PLC Power Converters, Analogue/Digital PLC Modules, SIEMENS SIPLUS 300 PLC CPU, Voltage/Current Transducers, Circuit Board Testing, Hardware Troubleshooting, Software Troubleshooting, General Energy Distribution Modules, Network Switches, NOC Work, Fault Escalation, PNMS, Net Viewer.

Project & Team Management

Team Leadership, Project Supervision, Project Planning, Project Initiation, Budget Management, Resource Management, Performance Management, Customer Liaison, Technical Training, Contractor Management, Work Scope Development.

Software & Tools

SAP, Microsoft Office, HUAWEI Web LCT U2000.

Programming Languages

Java, Visual Basic, Python.