Cellular Engineer

TRISTAR INC; Crane (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

TRISTAR INC is seeking a skilled Cellular Engineer to join its team in a government R&D role focused on wireless systems. You will contribute to design, testing, and evaluation of cellular capabilities across 3G, LTE, and 5G, using C, C++, and Python, in secure environments with travel as needed.

The role emphasizes test planning, data analysis, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to deliver mission-critical solutions for national security programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer/Electrical/Electronics Engineering or related.
• 3+ years of professional software engineering, networks, wireless, or test/evaluation.
• Experience with 3G/LTE/5G cellular protocols.
• Strong C, C++, and Python skills.
• Experience in lab or field test activities.
• Understanding of wireless protocol fundamentals and performance.
• Ability to document findings and recommendations clearly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain Secret clearance.
• Willingness to travel for test events and mission needs.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, integration, testing, and evaluation of cellular and wireless capabilities for government R&D.
• Develop and assess protocol implementations across 3G, LTE, and 5G environments.
• Perform software engineering activities including design, coding, integration, debugging, and maintenance in C, C++, and Python.
• Develop and execute test plans for laboratory, simulated, OTA, and field test events.
• Support test and evaluation through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Evaluate protocol behavior, device performance, and tradeoffs across wireless systems.
• Support unit, integration, and system-level testing including regression and traceability.
• Contribute to test automation to improve repeatability and efficiency.
• Analyze data and provide technical recommendations to improve performance and mission effectiveness.
• Prepare technical reports and briefing materials for customer objectives.
• Collaborate with Government and contractor teams across engineering, RF analysis, and test infrastructure.
• Support work in secure environments and travel as required.

Skills

C

C++

Python

Wireless protocols

Software testing

Documentation

Education

B.S. in Engineering

Tools

Git

Job description

Description

We are seeking a skilled Cellular Engineer (JCREW) to join our team and contribute to cutting-edge government research, development, and testing activities in wireless communication technologies. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on the forefront of cellular and wireless systems, supporting innovative projects that impact national security and technological advancement. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cellular protocols, software engineering, and testing methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, integration, testing, and evaluation of cellular and wireless communication capabilities in support of Government research, development, and test activities.
• Develop and assess cellular protocol implementations across 3G, LTE, and 5G environments.
• Perform software engineering activities including design, coding, integration, debugging, and maintenance using C, C++, and Python.
• Develop, execute, and refine test plans, procedures, and protocols for laboratory, simulated, over-the-air, and field test events.
• Support test and evaluation activities through test preparation, execution, data collection, data reduction, analysis, reporting, and briefing development.
• Evaluate protocol behavior, vulnerabilities, quality of service characteristics, device performance, and implementation tradeoffs across wireless systems.
• Support software unit, integration, and system-level testing, including regression testing, requirements traceability, and verification and validation activities.
• Contribute to test automation efforts that improve consistency, repeatability, rigor, and efficiency of test events.
• Analyze system and test data and develop technical recommendations to improve performance, reliability, and mission effectiveness.
• Prepare technical reports, test documentation, briefing materials, and other work products required in support of customer objectives.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary Government and contractor teams supporting engineering, software, RF analysis, modeling and simulation, and test infrastructure efforts.
• Support work in secure and classified environments and travel as required to support customer test events and mission needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mathematics, or a related discipline with a concentration in computer science or communications systems.
• 3+ years of related professional experience in software engineering, computer networks, wireless communications, protocol development, or test and evaluation.
• Experience with cellular protocols and standards including 3G, LTE, and 5G.
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, and Python.
• Experience developing, executing, or supporting structured test activities in laboratory or field environments.
• Understanding of wireless protocol fundamentals, device behavior, vulnerabilities, and performance characteristics.
• Ability to analyze technical data and clearly document findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple technical teams.
• Highly motivated, self-directed, and detail-oriented with a strong commitment to mission execution.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications -

• Experience with wireless vulnerability analysis, protocol exploitation, or RF/cyber test environments.
• Experience supporting DoD, Navy, EW, cyber, or spectrum-related programs.
• Familiarity with software-based test infrastructure, automated test frameworks, and Git-based development workflows.
• Experience with verification and validation, requirements traceability, and formal test reporting.
• Experience supporting over-the-air, lab, or field-based wireless testing.
• Familiarity with RF analysis tools, signal assessment, signal generation, or software-defined radio environments.
• Ability to support tasking in higher-classification environments, including TS/SCI-eligible efforts, as required by assignment."

About TRISTAR

TRISTAR is an SBA certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned professional services company supporting the U.S. Department of War programs. Our core competencies include Electronic Warfare, Enterprise Management, Full Spectrum Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Digital Transformation, Software Engineering and Development, Maritime Modernization and Engineering, and Technical Solutions.

TRISTAR was founded in March 1995 and has built an employee-focused collaborative environment which enables our team of professionals to create and deliver customized solutions to meet our customers’ mission critical challenges. TRISTAR’s core capabilities support customers with end-to-end solutions.

For over 30 years, TRISTAR has demonstrated and perfected our ability to successfully manage any task, small or large no matter how difficult or complex.

TRISTAR is proud to serve the Department of War and other Federal Agencies.

TRISTAR provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.