Senior Wireless Software Engineer (5G/6G Protocol Stack)

Keysight Technologies, Inc.•San Diego, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Keysight is seeking a highly skilled Wireless Software Engineer to join its Forward Deployment Engineer team and work on 5G-Advanced and next-generation wireless technologies. The role combines production software development with customer-facing technical problem solving and collaboration with Keysight R&D. The engineer will develop, customize, integrate, and optimize software solutions used in the development of next-generation wireless systems, contributing code, debugging protocol-stack behavior, building features, and translating field challenges into product enhancements and new technical approaches. The position focuses on software development for wireless communication systems and protocol stacks in Linux-based environments, using C/C++ and Python. The engineer will investigate issues across protocol layers, conduct root-cause analysis, modify existing production code, build prototypes, and develop software enhancements based on customer and product requirements. The role also includes customer collaboration, technical discussions, software quality activities, release and validation work, and helping influence Keysight product capabilities and technology roadmaps. This position is on-site in San Diego, California, with travel of up to 50% to local client sites; occasional international travel may be required. Relocation is available. Visa sponsorship is not available. The California pay range is $149,850–$249,750, with most offers between the minimum and midpoint based on applicable experience, education, and skills.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
8 or more years of experience in software development for wireless communication systems.
Strong software development experience in C/C++ and Python.
Experience developing software in Linux environments.
Solid understanding of 4G LTE, 5G NR, or 5G-Advanced technologies.
Deep understanding of 3GPP protocols across Layers 1–3, particularly RRC and NAS.
Hands-on software development experience in one or more wireless protocol-stack layers, including PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, or NAS.
Experience as an R&D, platform, systems, or protocol-stack development engineer, with ownership of software design, implementation, debugging, and maintenance.
Experience investigating and troubleshooting complex software and protocol issues across multiple wireless-stack layers.
Strong root-cause analysis and debugging skills using logs, traces, packet captures, signaling analysis, performance metrics, and software debugging tools.
Familiarity with 3GPP specifications and wireless protocol implementation.
Strong understanding of software architecture and development processes, with the ability to understand, modify, and extend existing codebases.
Experience participating in code reviews and working in collaborative software development environments.
Ability to design, develop, test, and deliver production-quality software.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with modem software, protocol-stack development, wireless infrastructure, device testing, or network simulation platforms.
Experience with embedded software, real-time systems, or firmware development.
Experience developing software tools, automation frameworks, and APIs.
Knowledge of wireless test and measurement systems.
Experience working directly with customers on complex technical projects.
Experience leading technical investigations and cross-functional engineering efforts.
Exposure to 5G-Advanced, NTN, Open RAN, or emerging 6G technologies.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and enhance software features within wireless communication systems and protocol stacks.
Develop production-quality software in C/C++ and Python for Linux-based environments.
Analyze and debug complex issues across Layer 1 (PHY), Layer 2 (MAC/RLC/PDCP), and Layer 3 (RRC/NAS) protocols.
Investigate and troubleshoot issues across the full protocol stack, collaborating with development teams to drive root-cause resolution.
Diagnose and resolve complex issues during customer deployments, integrations, and performance optimization activities.
Modify existing software and develop new code to address customer-specific requirements and technical challenges.
Develop APIs, software tools, automation frameworks, and diagnostics to improve development productivity and system visibility.
Analyze signaling logs, traces, packet captures, performance metrics, and timing behavior to identify root causes.
Build prototypes and rapidly validate new features and protocol enhancements.
Enhance existing Keysight software through feature development, performance improvements, and customer-driven innovations.
Participate in code reviews and contribute to software quality, maintainability, and engineering best practices.
Develop a deep understanding of Keysight software architecture, feature implementation, and protocol-stack behavior to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
Collaborate with Keysight R&D teams to translate field findings into product improvements, software enhancements, and new capabilities.
Lead technical discussions with customers and provide guidance on protocol implementation, system architecture, and performance optimization.
Contribute to software releases, validation activities, and deployment of new features into customer development environments.