Senior 4G/5G Core Network Engineer – Lab & Security

National Physical Laboratory; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 78,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pension

Life assurance

Generous annual leave

Private GP service

Job summary

National Physical Laboratory is seeking an experienced Telecoms Core Network Engineer for Birmingham to design, implement, and operate the core lab environment underpinning security research.

The role requires deep knowledge of 4G/5G core functions, host architectures, virtualised environments and test tooling, with leadership to guide suppliers, reviewers and evaluation teams, ensuring secure and reliable lab capability.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of 4G core functions: MME, SGW, PGW, PCRF, HSS, IMS.
• Expert knowledge of 5G core functions: AMF, SMF, UPF, NRF, PCF, SEPP, NEF, NSSF, AUSF, UDM, UDR and service-based architectures.
• Experience building/managing Kubernetes container environments and OpenStack-based hypervisors.
• Strong troubleshooting and fault-finding across telecoms, hosts and virtualised environments.
• Experience with functional testing, analysis and reporting on technical, policy and security implications.
• Ability to convert plans into sprint deliverables and keep plans updated.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate and maintain 4G/5G core networks and test tools.
• Act as design authority for lab systems ensuring security, resilience and research suitability.
• Own testing, fault-finding and resolution across complex lab environments.
• Support supplier design reviews, integration, testing and maintenance.
• Influence supplier roadmaps and evaluate new components for lab evolution.
• Maintain lab security posture and review third-party exports.
• Support vulnerability research and penetration testing by advising on features.
• Set documentation, quality and delivery standards and ensure traceability.
• Lead small teams or cross-functional projects and mentor colleagues.
• Identify and implement continuous improvements across systems and processes.

Skills

4G core functions

5G core functions

Kubernetes

OpenStack

Fault-finding

Functional testing

Technical leadership

Design authority

Documentation

Communication

Tools

Kubernetes

OpenStack

Test tooling

Job description

National Physical Laboratory is seeking an experienced Telecoms Core Network Engineer for Birmingham to design, implement, and operate the core lab environment underpinning security research.

The role requires deep knowledge of 4G/5G core functions, host architectures, virtualised environments and test tooling, with leadership to guide suppliers, reviewers and evaluation teams, ensuring secure and reliable lab capability.