Research Engineer/Sr. Research Engineer

NU USA Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University’s Institute for the Intelligent Networked Systems Open6G group seeks Research Engineer to lead and support development of programmable cellular networks, Open RAN, and testbed experiments in Boston.

You will work with faculty, researchers, and students on software, hardware, and system integration, including field trials and documentation.

Qualifications

• MS in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering or PhD with R&D experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support research activities across the center with faculty, researchers, and students.
• Develop software, hardware, and systems for cellular networks and Open RAN.
• Maintain and enrich center documentation and develop training programs.
• Coordinate contributions to the O-RAN and AI-RAN Alliances and related activities.

Skills

Bash scripting

Python

Embedded development

Linux environments

Kubernetes

Open RAN knowledge

Education

MS in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering

PhD with demonstrated R&D experience

Tools

Keysight equipment

VIAVI equipment

RF testing

Jenkins

Ansible

Software-defined radios

AI solutions

Job description

About the Opportunity Job Description: The Open6G group at the Institute for the Intelligent Networked Systems (INSI), Northeastern University, is leading research and development, testing and integration, and system integration for next-generation wireless systems. We envision programmable and intelligent cellular networks that can be dynamically and algorithmically instrumented and optimized through software and AI. We lead key research in Open Radio Access Network (RAN) systems, contributing to the O-RAN ALLIANCE, and we are a founding member of the AI-RAN Alliance. We work with an industry consortium of 20+ companies, driving research into new approaches and paradigms for cellular systems. Our private 5G/6G testbed features open and open-source software and commercial equipment, seamlessly integrated to provide an advance research, development, and integration environment to students and researchers in the Institute. We support multiple startups and established companies in their testing and integration needs, and we are the first O-RAN Open Testing and Integration Center (OTIC) to have released a certificate in North America. We are looking for multiple Research Engineer (RE) roles who can lead and support research activities across the center, working with faculty, researchers, and students to rethink software, hardware, and systems for cellular networks. The REs will support federal, state, and industry funded research programs on programmable cellular networks, Open RAN, spectrum sharing, channel modeling and emulation, network automation, among others. This role involves activities related to software and system development, testbed management and maintenance, experimental research and field trials, testing and integration, and/or RF engineering. The REs will maintain and enrich the center documentation and develop training programs to involve new personnel, Ph.D., master, and undergraduate students in Open6G activities. REs will also be involved in supporting our contributions to the O-RAN and AI-RAN Alliances. Successful candidates have deep knowledge of cellular systems, 3GPP, open RAN, software development for automation, embedded systems, and/or RF equipment, and system engineering. Knowledge of AI and system support for AI solutions is a plus. The REs will work in and coordinate with a multi-disciplinary, heterogeneous team, but also lead of specific project features and tasks toward their complete implementation. We are excited to look for our future colleagues in this research journey toward open, programmable, and intelligent cellular networks.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Applicant must have at a minimum a MS in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering or equivalent and (3) three years or more of experience with progressively more responsible, independent engineering work; or a Ph.D. with demonstrated R&D experience.
• Development experience with bash scripting and Python, and/or embedded development (C/C++/etc).
• Knowledge on cellular systems, 3GPP, open RAN.
• Knowledge of Linux environments, Kubernetes, system configuration (e.g., for servers, networking equipment).
• We will consider a plus experience with at least one among
  • (i) Keysight and VIAVI equipment and software;
  • (ii) RF testing;
  • (iii) Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment frameworks (CI/CD) such as Jenkins and Ansible;
  • (iv) wireless testbeds and related instruments (e.g., software-defined radios);
  • (v) AI and system support for AI solutions.

Position Type Research Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 111S Expected Hiring Range: $87,785.00 - $123,998.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system, which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide, serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors - aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.