Senior Principal Wi-Fi and Cellular Network Architect

Boeing; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 197,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boeing Company is seeking a Senior Principal Wi‑Fi and Cellular Network Architect to envision, design, and lead the evolution of our global wireless architecture across enterprise, campus, manufacturing, office, and remote environments. You will define the long‑term strategy while ensuring security, scalability, and performance for tens of thousands of devices.

This role demands hands‑on leadership in cellular and Wi‑Fi, experience with AI‑driven optimization, and the ability to mentor and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of enterprise cellular and Wi‑Fi networking experience.
• 5+ years mentoring others.
• Experience with cellular & Wi‑Fi operations, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Experience with Wi‑Fi standards, RF fundamentals, propagation modeling, and large‑scale deployments.
• Experience in data analytics.
• Experience with AI.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the global wireless and Wi‑Fi architecture vision, roadmap, and reference designs.
• Establish enterprise standards for Wi‑Fi, IoT connectivity, and emerging cellular tech.
• Evaluate next‑gen wireless innovations for future readiness and scalability.
• Lead architecture for high‑density, mission‑critical wireless environments.
• Ensure architectures balance design with deployability and maintainability.
• Drive RF design methodologies, site surveys, validation, and lifecycle management.
• Partner with operations to improve reliability, resiliency, performance, and mean‑time‑to‑resolution.
• Integrate AI and ML into wireless architecture for analytics and optimization.
• Define telemetry usage for intelligent networks and adaptive wireless operations.
• Collaborate with data/platform/automation teams to embed AI in operations.
• Act as SME in RF propagation, interference analysis, spectrum management, and performance optimization.
• Establish KPIs and proactive monitoring baselines for user experience.
• Lead root‑cause analysis for complex wireless performance issues.
• Advise senior leadership on wireless strategy and investment decisions.
• Mentor wireless engineers and architects through reviews and technical communities.
• Influence vendors and stakeholders through technical rigor.

Skills

Cellular networking

Wi‑Fi networking

Mentoring

AI integration

RF propagation

Architectural leadership

Job description

Senior Principal Wi-Fi and Cellular Network Architect

Company: The Boeing Company

Locations: Seattle, WA; Cambridge, MA; Arlington, VA; Berkeley, MO; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; El Segundo, CA; Mesa, AZ; North Charleston, SC; Plano, TX; Ridley Park, PA; Miami, FL; or Seal Beach, CA.

This individual will envision, design, and lead the evolution of our global Wi-Fi and cellular architecture across enterprise, campus, manufacturing, office, and remote environments. This role is responsible for defining the long-term architectural strategy while ensuring operational excellence, scalability, security, and performance at Boeing with 10s of thousands of devices. The ideal candidate brings deep hands‑on experience in cellular operations and design, combined with the ability to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven capabilities into how cellular networks are architected, operated, optimized, and maintained. This architect will serve as a technical authority and mentor, shaping standards, guiding implementation teams, and developing the next generation of Wi‑Fi and cellular architects.

Position Responsibilities

• Define and own the global wireless, such as private 5G, and other cellular technologies, and Wi-Fi architecture vision, roadmap, and reference designs aligned with business, security, and digital transformation goals
• Establish enterprise standards for Wi-Fi, Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, and emerging cellular technologies
• Evaluate and incorporate next-generation wireless innovations, ensuring solutions are future‑ready, resilient, and globally scalable
• Lead architecture and design for high-density, mission-critical, and geographically distributed wireless environments
• Ensure architectures are grounded in real‑world operational experience, balancing theoretical design with proven deployability and maintainability
• Drive consistent Radio Frequency (RF) design methodologies, site survey practices, validation processes, and lifecycle management across regions
• Partner with operations teams to ensure architectural decisions improve reliability, resiliency, performance, and mean‑time‑to‑resolution
• Integrate AI and machine learning into wireless architecture for predictive analytics, anomaly detection, capacity planning, self-healing, and automated optimization
• Define how telemetry, RF data, and operational insights are leveraged to enable intelligent, adaptive wireless networks
• Partner with data, platform, and automation teams to embed AI into day‑to‑day wireless operations and decision‑making
• Act as a subject‑matter expert in RF propagation, interference analysis, spectrum management, and performance optimization
• Establish performance baselines, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and proactive monitoring strategies to ensure exceptional user experience
• Lead root‑cause analysis for complex wireless performance issues and influence long‑term architectural improvements
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior technology leadership on wireless strategy, risk, and investment decisions
• Mentor and develop wireless engineers and architects through coaching, design reviews, and technical communities of practice
• Influence vendors, partners, and internal stakeholders through thought leadership, technical rigor, and clear communication

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience)

• 10+ years of experience with enterprise cellular & Wi-Fi networking, with significant responsibility for architecture and design at scale
• 5+ years of experience mentoring others
• Experience working with cellular & Wi-Fi operations, including troubleshooting, performance optimization, and production support
• Experience working with Wi-Fi standards, Radio Frequency (RF) fundamentals, propagation modeling, and large‑scale deployment methodologies
• Experience with network design, architecture, protocols, security, and/or operations for effective network management and implementation
• Experience in data analytics
• Experience working with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience)

• Experience operating in global, highly regulated, or mission‑critical environments
• Experience translating complex technical concepts into clear architectural guidance for executive and technical audiences
• Experience continuously learning, innovating, and building high‑performing technical communities

Conflict of Interest

Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.

Drug Free Workplace

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post‑offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Pay & Benefits

• Pay & Benefits: At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent.
• Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
• The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
• The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
• Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Summary pay range: $197,200 - $285,200

Language Requirements

Not Applicable

Education

Not Applicable

Relocation

Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position.

Export Control Requirement

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. "U.S. Person" includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Safety Sensitive

This is not a Safety Sensitive Position.

Security Clearance

This position does not require a Security Clearance.

Visa Sponsorship

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Contingent Upon Award Program

This position is not contingent upon program award.

Shift

Shift: Shift 1 (United States of America)

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Equal Opportunity and Diversity

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. EEO is the law. Boeing EEO Policy Request an Accommodation Applicant Privacy Boeing Participates in E-Verify E-Verify (English) E-Verify (Spanish) Right to Work Statement Right to Work (English) Right to Work (Spanish) You can do work that enables all of humanity to take flight. Our teammates in more than 65 countries grow their careers across commercial airplanes, space, defense, sustainability and other areas. Here, you can contribute to what matters most in your career, in your community and around the world. Find answers to questions about applying, interviews, benefits, and more on FAQ page Boeing is committed to providing reasonable accommodations/adjustments to applicants with disabilities. Visit our accommodations page for more info.

Company Brand

You can do work that enables all of humanity to take flight. Our teammates in more than 65 countries grow their careers across commercial airplanes, space, defense, sustainability and other areas. Here, you can contribute to what matters most in your career, in your community and around the world. Find answers to questions about applying, interviews, benefits, and more on FAQ page. Boeing is committed to providing reasonable accommodations/adjustments to applicants with disabilities.