Senior 4G/5G Wireless RAN Software Engineer
Job Description
We are seeking a Senior 4G/5G Wireless RAN Software Engineer with 3-7 years of relevant experience in LTE or NR Layer 2 protocol-stack development, integration, and optimization for commercial RAN products. Deep expertise in the Layer 2 protocol stack is required, with working knowledge of Layer 1 and/or Layer 3 interfaces and integration points. The role focuses primarily on eNB/gNB and virtualized or small-cell RAN software. Relevant UE-side experience may be considered when it demonstrates transferable expertise in 3GPP procedures, protocol implementation, and system debugging.
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Key Responsibilities
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- RAN Development: Design, develop, and maintain LTE/NR Layer 2 RAN protocol-stack software, with a deep focus on MAC, RLC, or PDCP features (scheduling, data-plane behavior, and L1/L3 integration).
- 3GPP Specification: Analyze 3GPP specifications to translate complex requirements into clean architecture, detailed software designs, and verification criteria.
- Performance Optimization: Perform protocol debugging and optimize signaling and data paths to meet KPIs (latency, user-plane throughput, UE capacity, CPU/memory optimization).
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with PHY, L3/RRC, RF, and system test teams to validate end-to-end RAN functionality.
- Field Support & Testing: Investigate field issues, perform root-cause analysis, and provide technical support for interoperability, conformance, and carrier-acceptance testing.
- Technical Documentation: Author detailed design documents, technical specifications, and comprehensive test plans.
- Mentorship: Provide technical leadership through code reviews, design evaluations, and cross-functional mentoring (Individual Contributor role).
- Tooling & Innovation: Utilize company-approved AI-assisted engineering tools responsibly for implementation, test automation, and debugging.
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Required Qualifications
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- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- Experience: 3-7 years of software development experience in wireless communication systems.
- Core Coding: Strong programming proficiency in C/C++ within embedded Linux, RTOS, x86, ARM, or SoC platforms.
- L2 Protocol Depth: Hands-on experience with LTE or NR Layer 2 protocols (MAC, RLC, PDCP) and 3GPP specifications.
- Engineering Tools: Familiarity with Linux multithreaded programming, ASN.1 encoding, and trace-analysis tools like Wireshark.
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Preferred Qualifications & Competencies
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- Experience developing RAN-side software for LTE eNB or NR gNB products (small-cell, macro, or virtualized).
- Experience with carrier acceptance and interoperability testing (IOT).
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Git/Jira, and scripting languages (Python, Shell, Perl) for test automation.
- Experience with cloud-native telecom architectures, containers, and orchestration.
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Highly Valued Additional Expertise (Differentiators)
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- Development or optimization utilizing DPDK for high-throughput packet processing.
- Integration or debugging of Intel FlexRAN L1 or equivalent software-defined PHY.
- Knowledge of Small Cell Forum FAPI/nFAPI or O-RAN architectures (O-DU/O-RU split 7.2x fronthaul).
- Experience with ML-assisted Layer 2 scheduling or link adaptation.
- Real-time Linux tuning (CPU isolation, NUMA, huge pages, PTP/SyncE timing).
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Preferred Industry Background
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- Telecom infrastructure vendors or wireless semiconductor/RAN acceleration companies.
- Cellular network operators, system integrators, or private LTE/5G network providers.
- Wireless test, measurement, and conformance solution providers.
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Compensation, Benefits & Sponsorship
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- Base Salary: $140,000 - $175,000 per year. The actual offer will depend on individualized job-related factors including skills, experience, and education.
- Bonus: Eligible for an annual performance bonus. A sign-on bonus of 10% of the annual base salary is available.
- Benefits: Comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) retirement plan, and paid time off.
- Work Authorization: Visa sponsorship may be available for this position, subject to company approval.
- Location: 100% On-site in Milpitas, California.
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Equal Employment Opportunity
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Airspan Networks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.