4G/5G L2 Stack Software - Senior Lead / Principal Architect

Neev; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Neev is seeking a Senior Lead / Principal Architect to design and deliver high-performance 4G/5G L2 stacks (MAC/RLC/PDCP) for eNodeB and gNodeB. You will lead architecture across FDD/TDD, optimize MAC scheduling, and coordinate L2 integration with L1/L3, OAM, and multi-vendor environments.

The role requires deep expertise in L2 protocols, C/C++, Python, and hardware offload, with a track record of delivering large-scale telecom software programs.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in 4G/5G L2 software development.
• Experience leading multi-vendor L2 programs and delivering large-scale stacks.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of MAC, RLC, and PDCP for eNB/gNB platforms.
• Oversee integration with L1/L3 and OAM across vRAN, O-RAN, and custom hardware.
• Drive platform-level performance tuning for ultra-low latency and QoS alignment.
• Mentor engineering teams and manage delivery across multi-vendor environments.
• Interface with stakeholders to align architecture roadmaps and delivery goals.
• Ensure robust interoperability across UE/chipset/core network environments.

Skills

MAC scheduling

L2 protocol stack

C/C++

Python

System architecture

L1/L3 interfacing

vRAN/O-RAN

Performance tuning

Hardware offload

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/Telecom/ECE

Tools

Viavi

IxLoad Wireless

IxNetwork

Spirent Landslide

Wireshark

FPGA/SoC radio acceleration

Job description

Senior Lead / Principal Architect – 4G/5G L2 Stack Software

Location: Delhi and Bangalore

Experience Level: 12+ years in 4G/5G L2 Software Development

Domain: Telecommunications, 3GPP LTE & 5G NR Layer 2 (MAC, RLC, PDCP), O-RAN, vRAN

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Lead / Principal Architect – 4G/5G L2 Stack Software to design, architect, and implement high-performance Layer 2 protocol stacks (MAC, RLC, PDCP) for eNodeB (LTE) and gNodeB (5G NR) architectures. In this role, you will lead L2 software architecture across FDD and TDD modes, optimize MAC scheduling, drive platform integration with L1/L3/OAM, and manage large-scale product delivery, sustenance, and customer support across custom hardware, vRAN, and O-RAN deployments.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Architecture & Systems Engineering: Lead systems engineering, design, coding, debugging, and execution of 4G/5G L2 stack features across FDD and TDD modes with a focus on system-level scalability.
• Protocol Stack Development: Direct and review PDCP, RLC, and MAC layer development across diverse target platforms.
• Integration & Interoperability: Oversee L2 integration with physical layer (L1), control plane/user plane (L3), and OAM subsystems. Ensure robust interoperability across multi-vendor UE/chipset/Core Network environments.
• Team Mentorship & Leadership: Mentor high-performance engineering teams towards technical and delivery excellence.
• Program Delivery: Drive end-to-end delivery of large-scale 4G/5G L2 software programs, maintenance, and field support across varied base station form factors (O-RAN, vRAN, and custom eNB/gNB platforms).
• Executive Stakeholder Communication: Interface directly with internal leadership and external customer stakeholders to align on architecture, roadmap, and delivery goals.

Required Technical Expertise & Skill Sets1.

• MAC Scheduling Algorithms: In-depth expertise in designing, developing, optimizing, and debugging eNodeB and gNodeB MAC schedulers.
• L2 Protocols (MAC / RLC / PDCP): Proven design and implementation expertise in segmentation/reassembly, ARQ/HARQ retransmissions, flow control, packet splitting/duplication, ciphering/integrity interaction, and QoS enforcement.
• TDD / FDD Timing Mechanics: Deep understanding of duplexing dynamics (TDD vs. FDD timing) on duplex-driven HARQ, scheduler timing, uplink grant strategies, DRX interactions, Buffer Status Reporting (BSR), and Logical Channel Prioritization (LCP).
• Performance Tuning: Performance optimization for ultra-low latency, throughput maximization, fairness, power-saving/DRX behavior, and QoS flow-to-radio bearer mapping.
• Interface & Architecture Split: Strong grasp of L2 interfaces with L1 and L3 protocols, alongside 3GPP RAN split options (e.g., Higher-Layer Split / Lower-Layer Split).
• Software Architecture, Acceleration & Infrastructure
• Programming & Debugging: Advanced skills in C, C++, Python, state machine design, memory pooling, error handling, protocol decoding, and ASN.1 workflows.
• Hardware Offload & Acceleration: Knowledge of FPGA/SoC-based radio acceleration, SmartNIC/DPU-assisted data paths, DPDK, Hugepages, and SR-IOV.
• Virtualization & Platform Tuning: Linux system performance tuning for virtualized Distributed Unit (vDU) and Centralized Unit (vCU) deployments on x86 and ARM architectures.
• Log Analysis, KPI Optimization & Tools
• Log & Trace Analysis: Expertise in root-cause analysis of KPI drops using L2 traces, PCAPs, timing logs, RF test outputs, and protocol decodes.
• Log Diagnostics: Hands-on experience with system log analysis and UE trace tools like QCAT.
• Network Testing Equipment: High proficiency with test tools and traffic emulators including Viavi, IxLoad Wireless, IxNetwork, Spirent Landslide, and Wireshark.
• 3GPP Wireless Standards Compliance3GPP LTE / E-UTRA Specifications:
• 36.300: Overall description (Stage 2)
• 36.314: Layer 2 - Measurements
• 36.321: Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification
• 36.322: Radio Link Control (RLC) protocol specification
• 36.323: Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) specification
• 36.401: E-UTRAN Architecture description

3GPP 5G NR Specifications

• 38.300: NR and NG-RAN Overall description (Stage 2)
• 38.314: Layer 2 measurements
• 38.321: Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification
• 38.322: Radio Link Control (RLC) protocol specification
• 38.323: Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) specification
• 38.391: Ambient IoT Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol
• 38.401: NG-RAN Architecture description
• 38.410: NG-RAN NG general aspects and principles

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: Minimum of 12 years of core 4G/5G L2 stack software development experience.
• Program Leadership: Demonstrated track record of leading delivery teams across multi-vendor L2 development and deployment programs.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Electronics & Communication Engineering, or equivalent.

Skills: stack,ran,protocol,mac,software,4g,rlc,3gpp,pdcp,architecture