Part-Time Wireless Engineer

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VT‑ARC, a technical services and applied research company, has built an organizational culture marked by four primary values:
Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Service. Integral to our success is our staff’s enthusiasm for solving tough problems by working together in teams to get the job done. We foster a culture where every employee’s contribution is valued and performed with integrity while maintaining a fun work environment. VT‑ARC strives for excellence in all that is done for our clients, and such achievement is recognized through service/merit awards.

Moreover, we promote a sense of community larger than VT‑ARC alone, where staff and institutional resources can be applied in service to our country.

Join our Engineering Test & Evaluation Division to support groundbreaking engineering and applied research projects for commercial and government clients. You will work directly with senior engineers, program managers, and customer staff, driving VT‑ARC’s testbed efforts. This position will require you to provide in‑person lab support as necessary. This is an ideal role for someone looking to grow their expertise in cutting‑edge wireless technologies, including 5G, Open RAN, network security, and software development.

This is a part‑time, temporary position (20 hours per week), depending on customer needs, and is expected to last approximately 3 to 4 months.

You are a motivated, self‑driven professional with experience in applied research and/or technology organizations. You thrive in dynamic environments, enjoy collaborating with engineers and researchers, and have a knack for organization and analysis. You have a background in wireless network testing and integration. You have effective communication and technical documentation skills.

• Support day‑to‑day operations of VT‑ARC’s wireless testbed including maintenance, software upgrades, physical connectivity, configuration, planning, and testing
• Follow test methods and procedures developed by wireless standard bodies and wireless vendors
• Perform network integration and testing (e.g., conformance, security, integration, functional, performance, interoperability) of 5G RAN and Core components while ensuring compliance with 3
  
  GPP and O‑RAN Alliance standards
• Operate and configure RF testing equipment including spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and network analyzers
• Automate test scenarios using scripting tools like Python or MATLAB to streamline validation processes
• Troubleshoot network configuration and integration issues
• Capture test results including key network metrics, and create detailed documentation of test activities
• Collaborate across internal and external customer engineering teams to accomplish program objectives
• Assist in developing test reports

• B.S. degree in EE, CS, or related field and 2–3 years of experience in wireless testing, integration and/or test execution; OR M.S. degree in EE, CS or related field and 1+ years of experience in wireless testing, integration and test execution
• Practical experience in testbed set‑up, maintenance, operations, and working in a lab environment
• Knowledge of 4G & 5G cellular technologies and concepts, OR equivalent exposure through degree coursework
• Understanding of concepts related to Open RAN / 5G, including UE, radio, gNodeB, and core network configuration
• Knowledge of Open RAN fronthaul, CUS‑Planes, and M/S‑Plane configurations
• Understanding of timing/synchronization (PTP, SyncE, GPS, grand master configs)
• Hands‑on experience with open‑source software and commercial off‑the‑shelf hardware such as NUCs, servers, switches, and routers
• Capability to work with test tools such as Keysight, VIAVI, Amarisoft, Anritsu, Spirent, iPerf, tcpdump, Wireshark
• Basic scripting skills in Python, Bash, etc. for test automation
• Experience with log analysis, KPIs, and debugging issues
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills including troubleshooting and identifying innovative solutions to address problems
• Abil…