RAN Test & Integration Engineer

National Physical Laboratory; Birmingham; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Life assurance

Annual leave

Private GP service

Job summary

National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking an experienced RAN Test & Integration Engineer to support the testing, integration and evaluation of 4G/5G RAN technologies. You will review supplier designs, develop test strategies and ensure high-quality delivery within a complex telecoms environment.

You will work with engineers, researchers and security specialists to evolve lab capabilities, KPI-driven testing, and robust security testing.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of 4G/5G Radio Access Network technologies.
• Experience working with SIMs and User Equipment (UEs).
• Experience building and managing Kubernetes environments.
• Knowledge of virtualised infrastructure and telecommunications testing tools.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the review, integration, acceptance testing, operation and maintenance of RAN devices, associated systems and test tools.
• Acting as a technical specialist for 4G/5G RAN technologies, SIMs, UEs and supporting platforms.
• Developing and implementing test strategies to assess functional, performance and security requirements.
• Designing, documenting and executing test cases, recording findings and producing high-quality technical reports.
• Troubleshooting complex technical issues, conducting root cause analysis and driving continuous improvement.
• Supporting security and vulnerability testing activities, enabling features and configurations required by testing teams.
• Evaluating new technologies and network components to support ongoing lab evolution.
• Maintaining and enhancing the security posture of laboratory environments.
• Collaborating with a wide range of technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contributing to documentation standards, reporting processes and quality assurance activities.
• Sharing knowledge and supporting the development of colleagues across the team.

Skills

4G/5G RAN technologies

SIMs & UEs

Kubernetes environments

Virtualised infrastructure

Testing tools usage

Troubleshooting

Agile delivery

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Testing tools

Job description

About the Role

We're looking for a talented RAN Test & Integration Engineer to join our team and support the testing, integration and evaluation of cutting-edge mobile network technologies.

This role requires strong technical knowledge of 4G and 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) technologies, including SIMs, User Equipment (UEs), associated systems and testing tools. You'll play a key role in reviewing supplier designs, supporting integration and acceptance activities, developing test strategies and ensuring high-quality delivery across a complex telecommunications environment.

Working alongside engineers, researchers and security specialists, you'll contribute to the evolution of next-generation telecoms networks that are critical to the UK's digital future.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting the review, integration, acceptance testing, operation and maintenance of RAN devices, associated systems and test tools.
• Acting as a technical specialist for 4G/5G RAN technologies, SIMs, UEs and supporting platforms.
• Developing and implementing test strategies to assess functional, performance and security requirements.
• Designing, documenting and executing test cases, recording findings and producing high-quality technical reports.
• Troubleshooting complex technical issues, conducting root cause analysis and driving continuous improvement.
• Supporting security and vulnerability testing activities, enabling features and configurations required by testing teams.
• Evaluating new technologies and network components to support ongoing lab evolution.
• Maintaining and enhancing the security posture of laboratory environments.
• Collaborating with a wide range of technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contributing to documentation standards, reporting processes and quality assurance activities.
• Sharing knowledge and supporting the development of colleagues across the team.

About You

Skills & Experience

• Strong knowledge of 4G and 5G Radio Access Network technologies.
• Experience working with SIMs and User Equipment (UEs).
• Experience building and managing Kubernetes environments.
• Knowledge of virtualised infrastructure.
• Experience using and administering telecommunications testing tools.
• Strong troubleshooting and fault-finding skills across complex technical environments.
• Experience developing, executing and documenting test activities.
• Ability to analyse technical findings and communicate outcomes clearly through written reports and presentations.
• Experience working within Agile or sprint-based delivery environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

We'd Love to See

• Experience working within telecommunications testing, assurance or research environments.
• Experience supporting cyber security, vulnerability assessment or penetration testing activities.
• An interest in emerging telecommunications technologies and their security implications.

Flexible Working

Successful applicants will be expected to attend our Birmingham office a minimum of two days per week but we would prefer this role to be three days a week. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide an excellent environment for collaboration, and we encourage colleagues to make the most of our on-site workspace.

We are committed to fostering a positive work-life balance and welcome applications from candidates seeking full-time, part-time, or flexible working arrangements, subject to business needs.

Location

Our site is conveniently located within easy reach of Birmingham, with excellent transport links. We are accessible by rail, with the nearest being Birmingham International station, and are also served by local bus routes. Free on-site parking is available for those travelling by car.

Why Join UKTL?

• Meaningful work that helps shape the future security of UK telecommunications.
• Access to industry-leading training, professional development, and certification opportunities.
• Hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies across telecoms, cyber security, research, and testing.
• Collaboration with recognised experts in a highly skilled and supportive environment.
• Opportunities to work on unique projects that drive innovation and influence industry best practice.
• A culture that encourages continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and career progression.

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of our work, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain SC clearance with no restrictions. Existing SC clearance would be advantageous, although candidates without clearance are encouraged to apply. Employment cannot commence until the required clearance has been successfully granted.

Salary

Salary for UKTL specialist roles is benchmarked against the external market and may include additional compensation to recognise in-demand technical expertise.

We recruit based on capability, technical excellence and potential rather than simply years of experience. As a result, candidates may be considered for different grades depending on their skills, experience and technical depth.

During the interview process, we'll discuss how your experience aligns with our grading framework and provide an indication of the salary range associated with the most appropriate level. This ensures you have a clear understanding of expectations and opportunities from an early stage.

Our technical assessment process is designed to evaluate your expertise in greater detail and will ultimately determine the grade and salary offered. We are committed to offering competitive, market-aligned reward packages that recognise the value and impact our specialists bring to UKTL.

Our Benefits

• Competitive pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 12%.
• Life assurance providing cover of three times your annual salary.
• Generous annual leave entitlement, sick pay and shared parental leave.
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and surrogacy leave, including up to 39 weeks' full pay.
• Private GP service with confidential phone and video appointments.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free and confidential advice and counselling.
• Group Income Protection for additional financial security during periods of long-term illness.
• Interest-free loans for season tickets, rental deposits, house purchase deposits and other qualifying purchases.
• MyLifestyle benefits platform, providing discounts across retail, supermarkets, entertainment, travel and fitness providers.
• CSSC membership offering access to additional leisure, travel and lifestyle benefits.
• Employee referral bonus scheme.
• Professional development opportunities including technical training, mentoring, coaching and leadership development.
• Support towards professional accreditation and chartered status.
• Annual salary reviews and market benchmarking to ensure competitive and fair pay.
• Access to wellbeing initiatives, employee networks, social clubs and community activities.

We are committed to helping our people thrive both professionally and personally, providing the support, flexibility and opportunities needed to build a rewarding and meaningful career.

About Us

UKTL is building leading edge Telecoms testing facilities to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of new technologies, and grow our world leading telecoms sector to maintain resiliency and security.

Successful candidates will join a state-of-the-art facility and be supporting the team conducting testing and research on the latest technologies and innovations in the industry. You will work alongside our infrastructure and Cybersecurity professionals to ensure that the UK’s world class Telecoms infrastructure grows in a resilient and secure manner underpinning growth in other industry sectors.

As a trusted and independent national capability, UKTL interacts with standards bodies, Academia, and Government Departments as well as Communications Service Providers and equipment vendors.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here – The measure of us – Overview.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on Diversity & Inclusion page.

We offer a wealth of above industry standard benefits, such as enhanced pension scheme, flexible working, and more that can be found here rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing