Research Engineer - 6G AI-Enabled Systems and Testbeds

InterDigital Communications, Inc.; Conshohocken (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

InterDigital is seeking a research engineer to join its Wireless Research team to design, integrate, and evaluate end‑to‑end AI‑enabled wireless testbeds and demonstrations for 6G systems. The role targets recent PhD graduates or candidates near completion who combine strong AI/ML theory with hands‑on implementation to build prototypes and measurable experiments.

The ideal candidate will work across RAN and core/service architecture, develop software in Python/C++, and contribute to publications

Qualifications

• Masters is a minimum with a PhD preferred, in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• Strong theoretical foundation and hands‑on experience in AI/ML, demonstrated through the development and evaluation of working software, simulations, prototypes, experiments, or testbeds.
• Strong foundation in wireless, mobile, networked, or cyber‑physical systems, with the ability and motivation to work across RAN, core network, service, transport, application, and edge/cloud layers.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research ideas into working software, simulations, prototypes, experiments, or testbeds, rather than limiting work to conceptual analysis alone.
• Programming proficiency in Python and experience with C, C++ together with practical experience in Linux‑based development environments.
• Experience with one or more machine‑learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
• Ability to debug and integrate complex multi‑component systems and to reason across interfaces and layers of an end‑to‑end architecture.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts and document research results clearly.
• A collaborative, self‑directed working style and the ability to balance near‑term prototype delivery with longer‑term research objectives.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced research on AI‑enabled mobile networks and emerging 6G systems, focusing on RAN, core, service layers and edge/cloud compute.
• Architect, implement, integrate and operate end‑to‑end research testbeds and proof‑of‑concepts using simulators, open‑source projects, SDRs and AI platforms.
• Develop and evaluate AI/ML techniques for communication and networked systems including multi‑agent and GenAI approaches.
• Create prototypes of AI‑enabled networking and distributed intelligence concepts.
• Design rigorous experiments and system metrics; evaluate performance under realistic conditions.
• Produce high‑quality research software, simulations, automation, visualization, and documentation.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and contribute to publications and standards efforts.

Skills

AI/ML fundamentals

Python

C/C++

Wireless systems

Research & prototyping

System integration

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree (minimum) in EE/CS

PhD preferred

Tools

CARLA

Omniverse/Isaac Sim

OpenAirInterface

Open-source 5G Core

Docker

Kubernetes

Git

Job description

About InterDigital InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence ("AI"), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today's most advanced Wi‑Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding / decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq. InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc. For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com.

Position Summary

InterDigital is seeking a research engineer to join its Wireless Research team in the area of AI-enabled systems. This role is ideal for a recent Ph.D. graduate or Ph.D. candidate nearing completion who combines a strong theoretical grounding in AI/ML with demonstrated hands‑on experience to build and evaluate working systems/prototypes. The near‑term priority for this position is to design, integrate, and evaluate end‑to‑end research testbeds and demonstrations for AI‑enabled wireless and cellular systems. The researcher will turn research concepts into working prototypes, measurable experiments, and compelling demonstrations across 6G radio access, core/service functions, transport and application protocols, sensing, and edge/cloud compute. Over time, the role will expand into invention generation, technical publications, and standards activities, including 3GPP. The strongest candidates bring AI/ML depth and expertise working across traditional boundaries, including RAN and core/service architecture, upper and lower layers of the protocol stack, AI algorithms and systems implementation. InterDigital is seeking a candidate motivated to grow at the intersection of wireless, AI, and end‑to‑end systems research. Prior 3GPP contribution experience is helpful but not required.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct advanced research on AI‑enabled mobile networks and emerging 6G systems, with emphasis on interactions among the RAN, core and service architecture, transport and application layers, edge/cloud computing, and distributed AI. Architect, implement, integrate, and operate end‑to‑end research testbeds and proof‑of‑concept systems using technologies such as Physics‑based Simulators (e.g., CARLA, Omniverse/Isaac Sim), 5G/6G Open‑Source Projects (e.g., OAI, OCUDU, Open5GS), SDRs, network emulation, edge services, digital twins, and GPU‑accelerated AI platforms. Bridge theoretical research and practical implementation by iteratively validating new ideas through simulations and testbeds, analyzing experimental results to refine concepts, uncover new research directions, and accelerate innovation in AI‑enabled wireless systems. Develop and evaluate AI/ML techniques for communication and networked systems, including agentic and multi‑agent AI, generative AI, learning‑based optimization, perception and sensor fusion, and context‑aware decision making. Build prototypes of AI‑enabled networking and distributed‑intelligence concepts which may include agentic AI, semantic‑aware networking, control‑loop communications, Physical AI, intent‑driven services, and context‑aware adaptation. Design rigorous experiments and system metrics; evaluate performance under congestion, mobility, imperfect sensing, limited radio or compute resources, and other realistic operating conditions. Develop high‑quality research software, simulations, automation, visualization, and instrumentation using Python, C/C++, MATLAB, Linux, AI frameworks, and reproducible software‑development practices. Translate research results into technical reports, architecture documents, invention disclosures / patent filings, publications, demonstrators, and over time, contributions to 3GPP and other relevant standards bodies. Collaborate with cross‑functional teams spanning wireless, video / media, AI, standards, product demonstration, and prototyping groups; share technical knowledge and help guide interns.

Required Qualifications

• Masters is a minimum with a PhD preferred, in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• Strong theoretical foundation and hands‑on experience in AI/ML, demonstrated through the development and evaluation of working software, simulations, prototypes, experiments, or testbeds.
• Strong foundation in wireless, mobile, networked, or cyber‑physical systems, with the ability and motivation to work across RAN, core network, service, transport, application, and edge/cloud layers.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research ideas into working software, simulations, prototypes, experiments, or testbeds, rather than limiting work to conceptual analysis alone.
• Programming proficiency in Python and experience with C, C++ together with practical experience in Linux‑based development environments.
• Experience with one or more machine‑learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
• Ability to debug and integrate complex multi‑component systems and to reason across interfaces and layers of an end‑to‑end architecture.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts and document research results clearly.
• A collaborative, self‑directed working style and the ability to balance near‑term prototype delivery with longer‑term research objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with cellular research platforms such as OpenAirInterface, open‑source 5G Core implementations, O‑RAN components, SDRs, network emulators, or real‑time wireless testbeds.
• Familiarity with 3GPP Core Network, RAN and systems architecture, including concepts such as QoS flows, network exposure, policy control, session management, user‑plane functions, and edge computing.
• Prior standards contribution experience is helpful but not required.
• Experience with agentic AI and GenAI toolchains, including LLM APIs, retrieval‑augmented generation, tool use, evaluation frameworks, vector databases, and multi‑agent orchestration.
• Experience with Physical AI, robotics, autonomous systems, computer vision, multi‑modal sensing, ISAC, spatial mapping, digital twins, AR/XR, CARLA, NVIDIA Omniverse, ROS, or related simulation and prototyping environments.
• Knowledge of AI, transport and application protocols used in distributed real‑time systems, such as MCP, A2A, TCP/IP, UDP, QUIC, Media over QUIC, HTTP/2 or HTTP/3, gRPC, and MQTT.
• Experience with system‑level or link‑level simulation tools such as Sionna, ns‑3, MATLAB‑based simulators, or equivalent frameworks.
• Experience with cloud‑native and reproducible research workflows using Git, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, MLflow or similar experiment tracking, and GPU acceleration.
• Research track record demonstrated through publications, patents, standards‑related work, open‑source software, or major integrated prototypes.

What You Bring

• A researcher’s curiosity combined with a builder’s mindset.
• The ability to move comfortably between theory, code, experiments, architecture, and technical communication.
• A passion for advancing the convergence of wireless systems, AI, sensing, and distributed intelligence.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with persistence in debugging and integrating complex systems.
• A proactive, self‑driven, and collaborative mindset suited to a global, cross‑disciplinary research environment.
• Strong writing and communication skills, with an attention to details.

Why Join InterDigital

Work at the forefront of 6G, AI‑enabled networks, Physical AI, and future connectivity paradigms. Turn research ideas into integrated testbeds, public demonstrations, patented inventions, and standards impact. Contribute to technologies that can influence global standards and billions of connected devices. Engage in an environment that values innovation, intellectual property, empirical research, and technical excellence. Collaborate with world‑class experts across wireless, AI, video, sensing, systems architecture, and standards.

Location: Conshohocken, PA

Equal Employment Opportunity InterDigital is an equal employment opportunity employer. InterDigital will not engage in or tolerate unlawful discrimination with regard to any employment decision, policy or practice based on a person's sex, gender, pregnancy (including childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, assignments, evaluations, coaching, promotion, discipline, discharge and layoff.

InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence ("AI"), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital