Telecoms Core Network Engineer
National Physical Laboratory
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Benefits offered by this job
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
Tools
Job description
We are looking for an experienced Telecoms Core Network 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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 and virtualised environments.
- Experience of functional testing, analysis and reporting on technical, policy and security implications.
- Ability to break down planned activities into sprint deliverables and keep plans updated, particularly during and before sprint close.
- Experience leading small teams, projects or cross-functional technical activities.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain how decisions or conclusions have been reached.
- Familiarity with Radio Access Network architectures.
- Experience or awareness of security testing techniques.
- Interest in industry developments and their implications for government policy, telecoms resilience and cyber security.
Successful applicants will be expected to attend our Birmingham office a minimum of two days per 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.
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.
At UKTL, you'll be part of a mission that has real national impact, helping to strengthen the security, resilience, and future of the UK's telecommunications networks.
We are committed to investing in our people, providing opportunities to develop your technical expertise, broaden your experience, and build a rewarding long-term career. Whether you're an experienced specialist or looking to grow your skills in a new area, you'll benefit from:
- 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.
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 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.
- 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.
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.
Read more about UKTL here !
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.
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 our 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
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