Principal 5G Wireless & Device Technology Architect

AT&T; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 189,000 - 284,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision coverage

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement program

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Disability Benefits

Employee wellness programs

Employee discounts on mobility plans

Job summary

AT&T in Bothell, WA / Plano, TX seeks a Principal Member of Technical Staff to guide the device technology and wireless delivery agenda. You will shape 4G/5G spectrum strategies, define device requirements, and lead certification across multiple teams to ensure readiness for next‑generation networks.

You will partner with RAN, mobility core, product, operations, OEMs, and chipset makers, delivering data‑driven decisions and robust testing. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical/Telecommunications/Computer Engineering or equivalent.
• Significant wireless telecom experience in device technology, RAN, and interoperability.
• Working knowledge of 3GPP LTE/NR standards and device certification processes.
• Ability to manage multiple complex technical initiatives and milestones.

Responsibilities

• Define 4G/5G spectrum, bandwidth, CA and DC strategies for devices and networks.
• Translate network evolution plans into device requirements and roadmaps.
• Provide technical leadership across LTE/5G bands, RF deployment, and interoperability.
• Lead device certification, testing, and cross‑vendor collaboration.
• Build data dashboards, models, trackers, and automation for compliance analysis.
• Interpret 3GPP standards and translate specs into actionable requirements.
• Troubleshoot pre/post-launch device/network issues with RF analysis and tracing.

Skills

4G LTE tech

5G NR tech

Device requirements

Certification criteria

RAN & mobility architecture

Interoperability testing

Technical leadership

Data-driven decisions

AI/automation in engineering

Education

Electrical/Telecommunications/Computer Eng degree

Tools

Keysight

Rohde & Schwarz

Anritsu

Job description

This is a full-time onsite role based in the location(s) posted and is performed from the designated work location five days per week. No relocation is offered.

Join a team shaping the future of wireless connectivity. Our Wireless Delivery team within Device Technology works across the wireless ecosystem to align device roadmaps, network evolution, emerging technologies, and certification strategies.

In this highly visible technical leadership role, you will help define 4G/5G spectrum and bandwidth strategy, carrier aggregation and dual connectivity architecture, device requirements, interoperability, certification, and future technology readiness. You will collaborate across RAN, mobility core, product, operations, IoT, OEMs, chipset manufacturers, and network infrastructure vendors to ensure next-generation devices are ready for evolving network capabilities.

What You'll Do:

• Define and drive 4G/5G spectrum, bandwidth, carrier aggregation (CA), and dual connectivity (DC) strategies across devices and network technologies.
• Partner with RAN, Standards, Operations, Product, and Device teams to translate network evolution plans into device requirements, certification criteria, and technology roadmaps.
• Provide technical leadership across LTE and 5G NR bands, channel bandwidths, low-band, mid-band, high-band/mmWave, and wideband deployment strategies.
• Evaluate chipset and device compliance with requirements for UE capability signaling, carrier combinations, RF/network capabilities, and feature readiness.
• Lead IODT/IOT and interoperability alignment across RAN vendors, chipset manufacturers, OEMs, IoT modules, and device partners.
• Identify and resolve device and network feature gaps through lab testing, field testing, interoperability analysis, and cross-vendor issue triage.
• Provide technical input into device RFPs, specifications, roadmaps, test strategies, and certification requirements.
• Build data-driven dashboards, models, trackers, and automation to improve device compliance analysis, ecosystem readiness, and engineering decision-making.
• Interpret 3GPP standards and translate evolving wireless specifications into actionable device and network requirements.
• Troubleshoot complex pre-launch and post-launch device/network issues using appropriate test methodologies, network tracing tools, and RF analysis.
• Evaluate and implement AI, automation, copilots, and agentic engineering workflows that improve engineering productivity, analysis, and delivery.
• Provide technical leadership across Device Technology, RAN, Mobility Core, Operations, Product, IoT, OEM, chipset, and network infrastructure teams.

What You'll Bring:

• Deep experience with 4G LTE and 5G NR technologies, including spectrum strategy, bandwidth, carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, and mobility architecture.
• Demonstrated experience developing device technical requirements, test specifications, certification criteria, and test object lists.
• Strong understanding of the relationship between device capabilities, chipset functionality, RAN capabilities, spectrum deployment, and network evolution.
• Experience with device certification, carrier acceptance, interoperability testing, IODT/IOT, and wireless industry certification processes.
• Hands‑on experience with network/device testing platforms from vendors such as Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz (R&S), or Anritsu.
• Experience with mobility design, RF integration, network tracing, lab validation, field testing, and troubleshooting of pre-launch and post‑launch device issues.
• Experience developing technical specifications for new or emerging wireless devices and services.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn complex technical problems and large datasets into actionable engineering recommendations.
• Ability to influence technical decisions and work effectively across OEMs, chipset manufacturers, network vendors, suppliers, and internal engineering organizations.
• Excellent technical communication, troubleshooting, interpersonal, and stakeholder‑management skills.

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Significant experience in wireless telecommunications, device technology, RAN, mobility architecture, RF, device certification, or network/device interoperability.
• Working knowledge of 3GPP LTE/NR standards and their application to commercial device and network deployments.
• Experience managing multiple complex technical initiatives and delivering against established milestones and deadlines.
• Ability to work across internal technical organizations and external suppliers to develop, certify, troubleshoot, and launch wireless products and services.
• Demonstrated commitment to engineering quality, collaboration, continuous improvement, customer outcomes, and professional integrity.
• Exposure to AI/ML, generative AI, copilots, intelligent assistants, agentic workflows, or engineering automation is highly desirable.

Our Principal Member of Technical Staff jobs earn between $189,200.00 - $283,800.00 USD Annual. Not to mention all the other amazing rewards that working at AT&T offers. Individual starting salary within this range may depend on geography, experience, expertise, and education/training.

Joining our team comes with amazing perks and benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Paid Time Off and Holidays (based on date of hire, at least 23 days of vacation each year and 9 company-designated holidays)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Caregiver Leave
• Additional sick leave beyond what state and local law require may be available but is unprotected
• Adoption Reimbursement
• Disability Benefits (short term and long term)
• Life and Accidental Death Insurance
• Supplemental benefit programs: critical illness/accident hospital indemnity/group legal
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Extensive employee wellness programs
• Employee discounts up to 50% off on eligible AT&T mobility plans and accessories, AT&T internet (and fiber where available) and AT&T phone

Weekly Hours:

40

Time Type:

Regular

Location:

Bothell, Washington, USA:TX:Plano / W Plano Pkwy - Adm & Dat:2900 W Plano Pkwy

Salary Range:

$189,200.00 - $283,800.00

AT&T and its subsidiaries are committed to equal employment opportunity. All hiring, promotion, and other employment decisions remain merit-based and free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. In addition, AT&T will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. AT&T is a fair chance employer and does not initiate a background check until an offer is made.