Radio Access Network (RAN) Engineer
NPL
£39,480
West Midlands
Telecommunications
Role
About the Role
We are looking for a seasoned RAN (Radio Access Network) Engineer to join our team to provide expert support to our networks and services, ensuring that our ongoing capability to provide mission critical services to both our own Evaluation and Testing team, as well as national stakeholders remains of the highest quality.
You will be joining our Lab & Test Network Team at a pivotal time in the development of the lab – still in a “start-up” stage, as a RAN (Radio Access Network) Engineer you will play an important part in helping us deliver success to our mission. Working with the wider Networks and Infrastructure team, you will have the opportunity to have direct influence over how the lab evolves and develops, ensuring that our networks and capabilities are representative of the UK telecommunications landscape and that we remain ahead of the game when it comes to new technologies. Our goal is to provide technical and testing services to the UK telecommunication landscape to help ensure that our Critical National Infrastructure remains secure in the face of ever present and evolving security threats.
You will get the chance to work in a truly unique environment, being able to work with a diverse range of vendor hardware and environments and collaborate with the other operational IT functions to deliver robust and secure solutions to our stakeholders. A commitment to continual professional development and knowledge sharing is also essential.
Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Solihull, Birmingham with the possibility of hybrid working.
We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.
You will be joining our Lab & Test Network Team at a pivotal time in the development of the lab – still in a “start-up” stage, as a RAN (Radio Access Network) Engineer you will play an important part in helping us deliver success to our mission. Working with the wider Networks and Infrastructure team, you will have the opportunity to have direct influence over how the lab evolves and develops, ensuring that our networks and capabilities are representative of the UK telecommunications landscape and that we remain ahead of the game when it comes to new technologies. Our goal is to provide technical and testing services to the UK telecommunication landscape to help ensure that our Critical National Infrastructure remains secure in the face of ever present and evolving security threats.
You will get the chance to work in a truly unique environment, being able to work with a diverse range of vendor hardware and environments and collaborate with the other operational IT functions to deliver robust and secure solutions to our stakeholders. A commitment to continual professional development and knowledge sharing is also essential.
Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Solihull, Birmingham with the possibility of hybrid working.
We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.
About You
To excel at this role you'll bring with you extensive 4G/LTE, 5G RAN & O-RAN testing experience, Solid working knowledge of 4/5G Radio Access Network technology, Extensive recent experience in RAN & O-RAN system integration, testing and troubleshooting (system logs, OS logs, UE logs, network logs, etc.), Strong end-to-end RAN knowledge with focus on 4/5G, RAN Technologies (vRAN, Small Cells, MIMO, Timing and Sync with GPS, PTP). You'll also have:
- Understanding of Networking Protocols like IP, TCP, SCTP, IPSEC
- Understanding of 3GPP standards, including procedures, call flows, KPI, statistics
- End-to-end testing, in all areas - IMS calls (eNodeB, MME, SGW, PCR, SBG, CSCF, MTAS)
- Good understanding of Layer 2 & 3 messages, RRC/RLC Layers.
- Analysing and diagnosing main RF Issues like Dropped calls, Blocked calls, Handover Failures, Interference, RACH failures etc
- Good experience in analysing the Core Network elements issues.
- Working Knowledge or Testing Nokia and Ericsson RAN
Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. To work in this role, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. To work in this role, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.
About Us
UK. Telecommunication Laboratory (UKTL)
Led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL), announced in October 2022, will give the UK the cutting-edge technology to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of 5G,and grow our brilliant telecoms sector by bringing in new entrants to diversify the supply chain market.
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.
NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page.
To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.