Principal Technical Architect – Connected Vehicles, UAV & 5G Wireless

AT&T•Plano, TX

1d•$189,200 - $283,800•Onsite

About The Position

AT&T's Wireless Delivery team within Device Technology works across RAN, Mobility Core, Product, Operations, IoT, business organizations, device manufacturers, and technology suppliers to introduce, certify, and scale wireless products and services. The Principal Technical Architect defines and drives technical strategy for connected vehicles, UAVs, and emerging wireless mobility solutions. The role serves as a technical authority across wireless architecture, RF integration, device requirements, certification, testing, and ecosystem readiness, ensuring solutions meet network requirements, industry standards, regulatory obligations, and customer expectations. This is a full-time onsite role performed five days per week at a designated work location. No relocation is offered. The position is based in Bothell, Washington and/or Plano, Texas. Weekly hours are 40. The stated annual salary range is $189,200–$283,800; individual starting salary may depend on geography, experience, expertise, and education or training.

Requirements

Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
Deep experience in wireless device architecture, connected mobility, automotive connectivity, IoT, or advanced wireless product engineering.
Strong knowledge of 4G/LTE and 5G architectures, wireless technologies, devices, radio technologies, and RF integration.
Experience developing and integrating RF modules, antennas, TCUs, wireless chipsets, and embedded cellular solutions.
Hands-on experience with antenna design, RF performance, or RF integration and validation.
Experience designing, developing, prototyping, testing, and launching connected mobility or IoT services and devices.
Experience creating device specifications, technical requirements, test specifications, certification criteria, and test plans.
Strong knowledge of carrier device certification, wireless industry certification, technical acceptance, and conformance testing.
Experience with connected vehicle, automotive, IoT, UAV/drone, or embedded cellular connectivity solutions.
Experience working with automotive OEMs, chipset vendors, TCU/module suppliers, wireless technology vendors, or device manufacturers.
Working knowledge of Mobility and Access architecture and device interaction with commercial wireless networks.
Hands-on experience with lab and field testing, network simulators, RF testing, network traces, and troubleshooting methodologies.
Experience with wireless test and network-simulation platforms such as Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, or Anritsu.
Demonstrated experience troubleshooting device and network issues in lab and field environments, including use of tracing and diagnostic tools.
Ability to translate complex business or product requirements into practical technical architectures and engineering requirements.
Proven ability to work across multidisciplinary organizations and influence technical decisions without relying solely on positional authority.
Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, including explaining complex wireless concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to manage multiple complex technical initiatives and deliver against product-development and launch timelines.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with suppliers, engineering organizations, product teams, and business stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to AI, copilots, intelligent assistants, automation, agent-based workflows, or ML-enabled engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

Define and drive AT&T's technical strategy and architecture for connected vehicle, automotive, UAV, and emerging mobility connectivity solutions.
Translate business and product requirements into wireless device specifications, technical requirements, test strategies, and certification criteria.
Provide technical leadership across internal organizations, OEMs, chipset suppliers, TCU and module vendors, automotive manufacturers, and certification organizations.
Lead technical alignment for integrating 4G/5G connectivity, RF technologies, antennas, modules, and embedded wireless solutions into next-generation mobility products.
Develop device requirements, test specifications, test object lists, and acceptance criteria to validate conformance with industry and AT&T requirements.
Drive carrier and industry certification readiness and identify technical or interoperability risks before product launch.
Lead prototype, lab, field, and developmental testing for new connected mobility services and devices.
Troubleshoot pre-launch and post-launch device, RF, network, and connectivity issues using network tracing, RF testing, and diagnostic tools.
Work with partners to evaluate alternative architectures and resolve device-to-network integration challenges.
Use network simulators and test platforms, including those from Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, and Anritsu, to validate wireless performance and functionality.
Develop technical documentation, implementation guidance, process maps, test plans, and operational-readiness materials.
Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI-assisted engineering, automation, intelligent workflows, and advanced wireless capabilities, to improve development, certification, and delivery.
Help evolve engineering practices for next-generation connected mobility, IoT, and UAV ecosystems.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) plan
Tuition reimbursement program
Paid time off and holidays, including at least 23 days of vacation each year and 9 company-designated holidays, based on date of hire
Paid parental leave
Paid caregiver leave
Additional sick leave beyond what state and local law require may be available; it is unprotected
Adoption reimbursement
Short-term and long-term disability benefits
Life and accidental death insurance
Supplemental critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, and group legal benefit programs
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Employee wellness programs
Employee discounts of up to 50% on eligible AT&T mobility plans and accessories, AT&T internet (including fiber where available), and AT&T phone