5G Device & Protocol Engineer

Astir IT Solutions, Inc.; Bellevue, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Astir IT Solutions, Inc. in Bellevue, WA, seeks a contracted 5G Device & Protocol Engineer to apply hands-on LTE/5G NR performance analysis, VoNR/IMS call flows, and protocol troubleshooting for live networks.

Responsibilities include RCA, KPI automation, end-to-end troubleshooting across RRC, NAS, SIP, IMS, PDCP, RLC, HARQ, and validation in field environments using QXDM/QCAT and Wireshark.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of 5G NR/LTE architecture and protocol stack.

Responsibilities

• Analyze 5G NR/LTE network performance and RCA.

Skills

5G NR/LTE architecture

VoNR/IMS call flows

protocol debugging

KPI analysis

log analysis

QXDM/QCAT

Wireshark/PCAP

Python scripting

RRC/NAS/PDCP/RLC/HARQ

SIP/IMS protocols

KPI automation

Tools

QXDM

QCAT

Wireshark

PCAP

XCAL

XCAP

Job description

5G Device & Protocol Engineer

Job Type: Contract
Domain: Telecom / Wireless
Experience: 5+ years preferred

We are seeking an experienced 5G Device & Protocol Engineer with strong hands‑on expertise in LTE/5G NR performance analysis, VoNR/IMS call flows, protocol‑level troubleshooting, KPI automation, and live‑network validation.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze 5G NR/LTE network performance and perform root‑cause analysis (RCA).

• Troubleshoot VoNR, VoWiFi, IMS, and SIP call flows end‑to‑end.

• Perform protocol‑level debugging across RRC, NAS, SIP, IMS, PDCP, RLC, and HARQ.

• Analyze key performance indicators including DL/UL throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss, BLER, and MCS.

• Perform log and trace analysis using QXDM, QCAT, Wireshark/PCAP, XCAL/XCAP, or similar tools.

• Validate device and network performance in live‑network and field environments.

• Develop KPI reporting and automation using Python, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools.

• Identify network/device performance issues, conduct RCA, and provide recommendations for optimization.

• Collaborate with device, modem, network, and engineering teams to resolve protocol and performance issues.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of 5G NR/LTE architecture and protocol stack.

• Hands‑on experience with VoNR, IMS, SIP, and end‑to‑end call flows.

• Strong experience in protocol debugging, KPI analysis, log analysis, and network RCA.

• Experience with QXDM, QCAT, Wireshark/PCAP, XCAL/XCAP, or equivalent tools.

• Strong understanding of RRC, NAS, PDCP, RLC, HARQ, SIP, and IMS protocols.

• Experience with Python scripting/automation and network analytics.

• Experience analyzing throughput, latency, BLER, MCS, packet loss, and other 4G/5G KPIs.

• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and communication skills.