Telecoms Core Engineer

National Physical Laboratory (NPL); Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Telecoms Core Engineer to design, implement and maintain the lab environment supporting advanced security research. You will lead technical decisions, work with suppliers and research teams, and evolve the core network and test tools for vulnerability research and evaluation.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong collaboration with cross-functional teams and a focus on secure, reliable lab operations to

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of 4G core functions (MME/SGW/PGW).
• Expert knowledge of 5G core functions (AMF/SMF/UPF).
• Experience building and managing Kubernetes container environments.
• Experience with OpenStack-based hypervisors.
• Strong troubleshooting across complex telecoms environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate and maintain 4G/5G core network systems and test tools.
• Act as design authority for lab systems; ensure security and resilience for research.
• Lead fault-finding, debugging and resolution in lab environments.
• Support supplier reviews, integration, testing and operations.
• Advise on roadmaps and evaluate new components for lab evolution.
• Maintain lab security posture and review third-party exports.

Skills

4G core functions

5G core functions

Kubernetes

OpenStack

Tools

Kubernetes

OpenStack

Job description

• We are looking for an experienced Telecoms Core Engineer to provide, maintain and evolve the core lab environment that underpins advanced security research. You will bring deep technical knowledge of mobile core 4G and 5G network functions, host architectures, virtualised environments and test tooling, and use that expertise to support supplier design reviews, integration, acceptance, testing, maintenance and operations.

• About the Role
• We are looking for an experienced Telecoms Core Engineer to provide, maintain and evolve the core lab environment that underpins advanced security research. You will bring deep technical knowledge of mobile core 4G and 5G network functions, host architectures, virtualised environments and test tooling, and use that expertise to support supplier design reviews, integration, acceptance, testing, maintenance and operations.

About The Role

This is a hands-on technical leadership role at the heart of UKTL’s lab capability. You will act as a design authority for core network systems, hosts and test tools, ensuring the environment is secure, reliable, well documented and ready to support vulnerability research, penetration testing and evaluation activity. You will work closely with suppliers, research teams, evaluation teams and security testing specialists to introduce new components, influence supplier roadmaps, resolve complex technical issues and continuously improve the lab environment as telecoms technology evolves.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design, develop, integrate and maintain 4G/5G core network systems, host environments and test tools.
• Act as the design authority for lab systems, ensuring solutions are secure, resilient and fit for research and evaluation needs.
• Own functional testing, fault-finding, troubleshooting and resolution across complex lab environments.
• Support supplier design reviews, integration, acceptance, testing, maintenance and operational activities.
• Work with suppliers to influence technical roadmaps and evaluate new components for future lab evolution.
• Maintain the lab security posture, including reviewing and approving third-party exports where required.
• Support vulnerability research, penetration testing and evaluation teams by advising on required features and activating or deactivating capabilities as needed.
• Set documentation, quality and delivery standards, ensuring activity is planned, recorded and updated using appropriate delivery tools.
• Lead or supervise small teams and cross-functional projects, coaching less experienced colleagues and providing technical direction.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities across systems, processes and ways of working.
• About You
• We are looking for someone with strong technical credibility, a collaborative mindset and the ability to explain complex decisions clearly to technical and non-technical audiences. You will understand how your work supports wider organisational and government objectives and be motivated by the opportunity to contribute to national telecoms security.

Essential Experience And Knowledge

• Expert technical knowledge of 4G core functions, including MME, SGW, PGW, PCRF, HSS and IMS.
• Expert technical knowledge of 5G core functions, including AMF, SMF, UPF, NRF, PCF, SEPP, NEF, NSSF, AUSF, UDM and UDR, as well as service-based architectures.
• Expert knowledge of building and managing Kubernetes container environments and OpenStack-based hypervisors.
• Strong troubleshooting and fault-finding methodology across complex telecoms, host