LTE Validation Engineer

Syntronic - A Global Design House; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Syntronic is seeking an LTE Validation Engineer to lead cellular protocol and RF validation for embedded IoT modems. You will own end‑to‑end testing across LTE Cat‑M, Cat‑1bis, Cat‑4 and 5G NR RedCap, influencing device certification and field performance.

You will use lab equipment (Rohde & Schwarz, Anritsu) and automate tests with Python or TTCN‑3, collaborating with firmware, hardware and carrier teams to deliver robust solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience validating LTE cat‑M, Cat‑1bis, Cat‑4 and 5G NR RedCap
• Proficiency in end‑to‑end modem validation and test plan development
• Experience with conformance, functional and performance testing
• Proficiency with RF characterization (TX power, ACLR, EVM) and signaling traces

Responsibilities

• Lead validation for LTE and 5G NR RedCap modems in IoT devices
• Design, develop and execute test plans across cellular protocols and RF
• Perform regression and carrier acceptance testing with operators
• Operate lab equipment and automate tests using Python, TTCN‑3 or vendor SDKs

Skills

LTE validation

5G NR RedCap

RF testing

Python

TTCN-3

Vendor SDKs

Tools

Rohde & Schwarz CMW500

Rohde & Schwarz CMX500

Anritsu MT8000A/MD8475B

Wireshark

Job description

Syntronic-LTE Validation Engineer

Are you ready to be part of a leading global engineering design house specializing in the design and development of state-of-the‑art embedded hardware, electronics, and electro‑mechanics?

$90,000 - $110,000 a year

What We’re Looking For

• Highly motivated professionals
• Motivated test technician
• Professionals with ability to work both with in‑house projects and on‑site assignments at our customers’ locations

Primary Role:

We are seeking a LTE / 5G RedCap Validation Engineer to lead cellular protocol and RF validation. You will be responsible for end‑to‑end testing of cellular modems integrated into consumer IoT products, ensuring flawless performance across LTE Cat‑M, Cat‑1bis, and emerging 5G NR RedCap (Reduced Capability) technologies. Your work will directly impact device certification, carrier acceptance, and real‑world user experience

Key Responsibilities

Protocol & RF Validation

• Design, develop, and execute validation test plans for LTE (Cat‑1/Cat‑4/Cat‑M1/NB‑IoT) and 5G NR RedCap modems integrated into Lab126 devices
• Perform conformance, functional, and performance testing including attach procedures, mobility, handovers, PDU session establishment, DRX/eDRX/PSM power‑saving modes, and RRC state transitions
• Validate RF parametric performance: TX power, ACLR, EVM, spectrum emissions, RX sensitivity, and blocking across LTE/5G NR bands (FR1)
• Execute carrier acceptance testing (Verizon OTA, AT&T PTCRB, T‑Mobile, Vodafone, DT, KDDI) and support GCF/PTCRB certification campaigns

Test Equipment & Lab Operations

• Hands‑on execution using Rohde & Schwarz CMW500, CMX500, and Anritsu MT8000A / MD8475B callboxes for signaling and non‑signaling test modes
• Configure end‑to‑end call scenarios: VoLTE, VoNR, SMS over IMS, ePDG/Wi‑Fi calling, data throughput (DL/UL), CA (Carrier Aggregation), MIMO
• Set up and operate supporting instrumentation: spectrum analyzers, vector signal generators, network emulators, RF shielded chambers, fading simulators (e.g., Spirent, Keysight PROPSIM)
• Automate test execution using Python, TTCN‑3, or vendor SDKs (R&S CMWrun, Anritsu Rapid Test Designer)

Debug & Root Cause Analysis

• Analyze modem logs (QXDM/QCAT for Qualcomm, ELT for MediaTek), Wireshark captures, and layer‑3 signaling traces to isolate protocol failures
• Collaborate with modem vendors (Qualcomm, MediaTek, Sequans, Sony Altair) and chipset teams to drive firmware fixes
• Reproduce field issues in the lab and provide detailed defect reports with RF/protocol evidence

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with firmware, hardware, antenna, and systems engineering teams during EVT/DVT/PVT phases
• Support field trials with carrier partners and international deployments
• Contribute to test coverage strategy for new features: 5G RedCap Rel‑17/18, Network Slicing, NTN (Non‑Terrestrial Networks)

What You’ll Like About Us

• Company Culture – outstanding people and a flexible work environment.
• Career Growth Opportunities – being a design house keeps variety in your work. New opportunities happening all the time!
• Global Design House – since Syntronic is a global Design House, you will probably work with in a team with engineers from other Syntronic sites (Canada, Sweden, China, Malaysia, Japan).

Who We Are

Syntronic provides our customers a complete portfolio of professional services to support their product development including research & development, new product introduction, manufacturing and aftermarket services. We adopt the latest technologies in electronics design and software development with a pool of technically skilled staff around the world. Among our customers and partners are some of the world’s most technically‑intensive businesses and organizations. This pushes us forward in designing to satisfy our customers’ needs with a focus on quality, competence, capacity and continuity.

Syntronic has today over 2000 employees in 8 countries.

Syntronic values diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact our recruiting team and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.