RAN and Infrastructure Specialist

In this role, you'll be at the forefront of driving automation capabilities and innovative solutions across our Mobile Innovation Labs, with a strong focus on Radio Access Networks (RAN), remote access, and physical infrastructure. Your work will enable faster, smarter, and more reliable testing environments that underpin the evolution of our mobile network technologies. You'll collaborate within a dynamic team to design and deliver automated open-source scripts, tools, and test solutions that address complex technical and business challenges.

By applying best practices, leveraging cutting-edge technologies, and using your problem‑solving skills, you'll help shape the future of network automation. This role isn't just about technical expertise—it’s about engagement and influence. You'll work closely with technology delivery teams, business partners, and stakeholders to ensure solutions are robust, secure, and aligned with strategic goals. Your ability to communicate effectively and foster collaboration will be key to delivering impactful outcomes.

Ultimately, your contribution will accelerate innovation, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of services for millions of customers—making this role critical to our success in a rapidly evolving telecom landscape. This role is based in BT’s Bristol office, and follows 3 days in office, 2 days from home.

Responsibilities

• Investigate, design, and implement open-source tooling to automate services for MIL RAN and supporting infrastructure.
• Build and maintain tools that enable functional and performance testing, as well as automation of repetitive tasks.

Technical Build and Lab Support

• Own the technical build and ongoing support of Mobile Innovation Labs, ensuring robust, secure, and standardised test environments.
• Guarantee timely availability of lab resources and connectivity between internal and external systems, applying appropriate security measures.

Operational Alignment

• Collaborate with Operations teams to replicate and resolve live network issues within lab environments, preventing recurrence in production.

Continuous Improvement and Design

• Champion continuous improvement and agile design practices across services offered to Test, Design, and Operations teams.
• Drive innovation by identifying and implementing new testing tools and technologies aligned with enterprise standards and strategic partners.

Lab Architecture and Quality Assurance

• Define reusable lab build patterns and topologies for future solution designs.
• Establish test requirements for regression testing and in‑life quality assurance.

Agile Delivery

• Deliver well‑tested, reliable, and maintainable solutions at pace, ensuring customer satisfaction while maintaining sustainable team velocity.
• Proactively deliver incremental code and product improvements to meet business needs.

Upskilling and Knowledge Sharing

• Mentor and upskill subject matter experts in RAN and infrastructure on automation, scripting, and software development practices.

Radio Access Network (RAN) Expertise

• Strong understanding of architecture and principles underpinning RAN networks (2G‑5G).
• Excellent knowledge of RAN configuration management (preferred, but not essential).
• Familiarity with network support and troubleshooting.

Operating Systems & Platforms

Experience and willingness to learn and develop in:

• Oracle
• Linux / Red Hat
• Other open‑source applications.

Testing & Project Lifecycle

• Excellent knowledge of testing methodologies and project life cycles.
• Ability to interpret and implement complex designs within test and proof‑of‑concept networks.
• Deliver design documentation and communicate architecture effectively to relevant teams.
• Working knowledge of automation in network environments.

Automation & Development

• Proven experience in scripting and automation using:

• Python
• Robot Framework
• Other coding languages as required.
• Experience with GIT for version control and automation workflows.
• Ability to use MS Power Apps for automation tasks.
• Strong ability to assimilate information and learn new systems quickly.
• A continuous learning mindset with a thirst for improvement.
• Ability to collaborate with SMEs and cross‑functional teams to deliver automation…