Principal, Systems Design/Architecture Engineer

VIAVI Solutions • Chandler, AZ

1d

About The Position

Summary: VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers. Role Summary The Senior Architect – RAN is a senior technical leadership role responsible for designing, integrating, and validating advanced 4G/5G Open RAN (O-RAN) solutions, while contributing to future-generation (6G / Beyond-5G) RAN architecture exploration and readiness. This role combines deep hands-on RAN expertise with system-level architectural thinking, supporting multi-vendor, cloud-native, and AI-enabled Open RAN ecosystems across lab, trial, and deployment environments. The Senior Architect works under the strategic direction of Principal Architects and partners closely with engineering, product, validation, and customer teams. Duties & Responsibilities: Key Responsibilities RAN Architecture & Design Design and own RAN architectures for LTE, 5G NR, and Open RAN deployments Contribute to architectural evolution toward 6G and future wireless systems Define subsystem architectures across O-RU, O-DU, O-CU, and FH/MH/BH domains Standards & O-RAN Implementation Apply O-RAN Alliance and 3GPP specifications to real-world system designs Support O-RAN-based multi-vendor interoperability, plugfests, and compliance activities Translate O-RAN and 3GPP standards into implementable design and validation requirements Validation, Performance & Quality Lead or support RAN validation strategies covering O-RAN conformance, interoperability (IOT), and performance Analyze system KPIs and RF metrics to ensure carrier-grade performance Contribute to automation and CI/CD-driven O-RAN test frameworks Cloud-Native & Platform Integration Architect and integrate Open RAN solutions on Kubernetes and OpenStack platforms Support optimization using hardware acceleration (e.g., FlexRAN, FEC, GPU) Ensure O-RAN timing and synchronization requirements are met (PTP, SyncE, GNSS) AI-Enabled & Intelligent RAN Support AI/ML-driven Open RAN optimization initiatives Contribute to O-RAN RIC (Near-RT and Non-RT) use cases and validation Assist in defining telemetry and data requirements for closed-loop optimization Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration Act as a senior technical interface for customers and ecosystem partners Support Open RAN architecture reviews, PoCs, and technical escalations Provide technical input into product planning and Open RAN roadmap discussions Technical Leadership Mentor senior engineers and system/test leads Review architecture documents, test plans, and design proposals Contribute to architectural governance and O-RAN best practices Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements: Required Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience 8–12+ years of experience in telecom or wireless systems Strong experience in LTE/5G RAN and Open RAN (O-RAN) system integration Hands-on knowledge of: RAN L1/L2/L3 concepts O-RAN architectures and interfaces Cloud-native platforms and RF/performance testing Working knowledge of Linux, scripting, and automation frameworks Preferred Qualifications Exposure to 6G research, future-G concepts, or advanced RAN evolution Experience with O-RAN RIC platforms or AI-assisted RAN optimization Background in multi-vendor Open RAN labs, field trials, or consortium programs Strong technical communication and documentation skills If you have what it takes to push boundaries and seize opportunities, apply to join our team today. VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities. VIAVI empowers Service Providers and IT organizations to manage the network lifecycle for complex 5G and Fiber networks with intuitive instruments, systems and technologies; and our expertise in light management and optical coatings help protect the world's bank notes from counterfeiters, enhance the colors you see, and enable advanced technology such as 3D sensing. We are a team of thought leaders who have the freedom to support and innovate and look for new effective and efficient solutions for our customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience
• 8–12+ years of experience in telecom or wireless systems
• Strong experience in LTE/5G RAN and Open RAN (O-RAN) system integration
• Hands-on knowledge of: RAN L1/L2/L3 concepts O-RAN architectures and interfaces Cloud-native platforms and RF/performance testing
• Working knowledge of Linux, scripting, and automation frameworks

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to 6G research, future-G concepts, or advanced RAN evolution
• Experience with O-RAN RIC platforms or AI-assisted RAN optimization
• Background in multi-vendor Open RAN labs, field trials, or consortium programs
• Strong technical communication and documentation skills

Responsibilities

• Design and own RAN architectures for LTE, 5G NR, and Open RAN deployments
• Contribute to architectural evolution toward 6G and future wireless systems
• Define subsystem architectures across O-RU, O-DU, O-CU, and FH/MH/BH domains
• Apply O-RAN Alliance and 3GPP specifications to real-world system designs
• Support O-RAN-based multi-vendor interoperability, plugfests, and compliance activities
• Translate O-RAN and 3GPP standards into implementable design and validation requirements
• Lead or support RAN validation strategies covering O-RAN conformance, interoperability (IOT), and performance
• Analyze system KPIs and RF metrics to ensure carrier-grade performance
• Contribute to automation and CI/CD-driven O-RAN test frameworks
• Architect and integrate Open RAN solutions on Kubernetes and OpenStack platforms
• Support optimization using hardware acceleration (e.g., FlexRAN, FEC, GPU)
• Ensure O-RAN timing and synchronization requirements are met (PTP, SyncE, GNSS)
• Support AI/ML-driven Open RAN optimization initiatives
• Contribute to O-RAN RIC (Near-RT and Non-RT) use cases and validation
• Assist in defining telemetry and data requirements for closed-loop optimization
• Act as a senior technical interface for customers and ecosystem partners
• Support Open RAN architecture reviews, PoCs, and technical escalations
• Provide technical input into product planning and Open RAN roadmap discussions
• Mentor senior engineers and system/test leads
• Review architecture documents, test plans, and design proposals
• Contribute to architectural governance and O-RAN best practices

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees