Senior Private LTE/5G Core Network Architect

Jobtailor; Overland Park (KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Overland Park, KS, seeks an experienced Architect to lead the design, integration, and security of private LTE and 5G networks for utility operations. You will guide LTE EPC and 5G Core integration, RAN alignment, backhaul planning, and lifecycle support, while coordinating with clients, vendors, and project teams.

The role requires deep expertise in 3GPP architectures, network security, and transport technologies, with strong leadership, mentoring, and stakeholder communication

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with LTE EPC, 5G Core, Private LTE, Private 5G, RAN integration, and mobile packet core technologies
• Strong knowledge of 3GPP LTE/5G architecture, call flows, subscriber management, APNs/DNNs, QoS, network slicing, and mobility
• Experience with IP/MPLS routing, backhaul, and transport architecture in carrier, utility, or industrial environments
• Working knowledge of Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, or equivalent wireless, routing, switching, and security platforms
• Experience with cloud-native network functions, virtualized infrastructure, Kubernetes-based deployments, and network management platforms preferred
• Utility, energy, public safety, mining, industrial, or critical infrastructure experience strongly preferred
• Experience securing Private LTE, Private 5G, related communications infrastructure, or critical infrastructure network environments
• Knowledge of network segmentation, secure remote access, PKI, IPsec, certificate management, logging, SIEM integration, vulnerability management, and secure configuration baselines
• Familiarity with NERC CIP, IEC 62443, Zero Trust, defense-in-depth, and utility cybersecurity principles preferred
• Experience with security architecture reviews, threat modeling, incident response support, and vulnerability remediation preferred
• Certifications: CISSP, CCNP, CCIE, Nokia NRS, Nokia 5G Core Architect, Ericsson Wireless, CBRS CPI, Fortinet, Palo Alto, or equivalent preferred
• Bachelor's degree in engineering technology or sciences preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of related work experience
• Ability to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements
• No visa sponsorship available

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, integrate, secure, and provide lifecycle support for utility-focused Private LTE and Private 5G networks
• Provide technical leadership across LTE EPC, 5G Core, RAN integration, backhaul transport networks, and operational readiness
• Engage clients, industry forums, standards organizations, vendor partners, and project teams as a private LTE/5G SME
• Lead architecture workshops, design reviews, security reviews, vendor evaluations, RFP support, and solution strategy discussions
• Translate complex PLTE, 5G Core, RAN, transport, and cybersecurity topics into recommendations for technical and executive audiences
• Mentor engineers and project team members
• Lead architecture and design for LTE EPC and 5G Core environments supporting utility operations and grid modernization
• Define core network architecture for MME, SGW, PGW, HSS, PCRF, AMF, SMF, UPF, NRF, and related services
• Develop end-to-end designs for APNs, DNNs, IP address planning, SIM/eSIM strategy, QoS, network slicing, traffic steering, service segmentation
• Create architecture standards, reference diagrams, implementation plans, operational procedures, and decision documentation
• Define PLTE/5G transport and backhaul requirements
• Collaborate on transport, routing, cybersecurity, and infrastructure architectures
• Evaluate transport designs for latency, QoS, redundancy, traffic engineering, timing, service availability
• Support eNodeB and gNodeB integration with private LTE and 5G core networks
• Collaborate with RF engineering teams on coverage, capacity, mobility, performance, service quality
• Evaluate emerging RAN, Open RAN, and private wireless technologies for utility use cases
• Develop cybersecurity architectures for private wireless networks in critical infrastructure
• Align PLTE designs with defense-in-depth, Zero Trust, and NERC CIP considerations
• Provide guidance for monitoring, alarming, KPI, and reporting frameworks
• Advise on lifecycle management, technology roadmaps, capacity planning, software maintenance, and platform evolution
• Evaluate service-impacting events and performance trends to identify architectural improvements

Skills

Technical Leadership

Mentoring

Client Engagement

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering technology or sciences

Tools

Nokia

Ericsson

Cisco

Juniper

Palo Alto

Fortinet

SIEM Integration

Logging

Secure Configuration Baselines

Decision Documentation

Job description

• Architect, design, integrate, secure, and provide lifecycle support for utility-focused Private LTE and Private 5G network environments


• Provide technical leadership across LTE EPC, 5G Core, RAN integration, backhaul transport networks, and operational readiness


• Engage clients, industry forums, standards organizations, vendor partners, and project teams as a private LTE/5G subject matter expert


• Lead architecture workshops, design reviews, security reviews, vendor evaluations, RFP support, and solution strategy discussions


• Translate complex PLTE, 5G Core, RAN, transport, and cybersecurity topics into recommendations for technical and executive audiences


• Mentor engineers and project team members


• Lead architecture and design for LTE EPC and 5G Core environments supporting utility operations and grid modernization


• Define core network architecture for MME, SGW, PGW, HSS, PCRF, AMF, SMF, UPF, NRF, and related subscriber, policy, and mobility services


• Develop end-to-end designs for APNs, DNNs, IP address planning, SIM/eSIM strategy, subscriber management, QoS, network slicing, traffic steering, and service segmentation


• Create architecture standards, reference diagrams, implementation plans, operational procedures, and decision documentation


• Define PLTE/5G transport and backhaul requirements


• Collaborate on transport, routing, cybersecurity, and infrastructure architectures supporting performance, resiliency, scalability, synchronization, and operations


• Evaluate transport designs for latency, QoS, redundancy, traffic engineering, timing, and service availability


• Support eNodeB and gNodeB integration with private LTE and 5G core networks


• Collaborate with RF engineering teams on coverage, capacity, mobility, performance, and service quality


• Evaluate emerging RAN, Open RAN, and private wireless technologies for utility use cases


• Develop cybersecurity architectures for private wireless networks in critical infrastructure and utility OT environments


• Align PLTE designs with defense-in-depth, Zero Trust, and applicable NERC CIP considerations


• Provide guidance for monitoring, alarming, KPI, and reporting frameworks


• Advise on lifecycle management, technology roadmaps, capacity planning, software maintenance, and platform evolution


• Evaluate service-impacting events and performance trends to identify architectural improvements

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience with LTE EPC, 5G Core, Private LTE, Private 5G, RAN integration, and mobile packet core technologies


• Strong knowledge of 3GPP LTE/5G architecture, call flows, subscriber management, APNs/DNNs, QoS, network slicing, and mobility


• Experience with IP/MPLS routing, backhaul, and transport architecture in carrier, utility, or industrial environments


• Working knowledge of Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, or equivalent wireless, routing, switching, and security platforms


• Experience with cloud-native network functions, virtualized infrastructure, Kubernetes-based deployments, and network management platforms preferred


• Utility, energy, public safety, mining, industrial, or critical infrastructure experience strongly preferred


• Experience securing Private LTE, Private 5G, related communications infrastructure, or critical infrastructure network environments


• Knowledge of network segmentation, secure remote access, PKI, IPsec, certificate management, logging, SIEM integration, vulnerability management, and secure configuration baselines


• Familiarity with NERC CIP, IEC 62443, Zero Trust, defense-in-depth, and utility cybersecurity principles preferred


• Experience with security architecture reviews, threat modeling, incident response support, and vulnerability remediation preferred


• CISSP, CCNP, CCIE, Nokia NRS, Nokia 5G Core Architect, Ericsson wireless, CBRS CPI, Fortinet, Palo Alto, or equivalent industry certifications preferred


• Bachelor's degree in engineering technology or sciences preferred, or another degree, specialized training, or experience that makes the individual uniquely qualified


• Minimum of 10 years of related work experience


• Ability to complete applicable pre-employment onboarding requirements, potentially including background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search


• No visa sponsorship available

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in architecting and securing Private LTE and Private 5G networks, with a strong focus on utility operations and critical infrastructure. Proficient in translating complex technical concepts into actionable strategies while providing leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• LTE EPC Architecture


• 5G Core Integration


• Private LTE/5G Security


• Network Segmentation


• Cybersecurity Architecture

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• 3GPP LTE/5G Architecture


• Subscriber Management


• Network Slicing


• IP/MPLS Routing


• Transport Architecture


• Cloud-Native Network Functions


• Kubernetes-Based Deployments


• Vulnerability Management


• Threat Modeling


• Incident Response Support

Soft Skills

• Technical Leadership


• Mentoring


• Client Engagement


• Collaboration


• Communication

Certifications & Qualifications

• CISSP


• CCNP


• CCIE


• Nokia NRS


• Nokia 5G Core Architect


• Ericsson Wireless


• CBRS CPI


• Fortinet


• Palo Alto

Industry Keywords

• Utility


• Energy


• Public Safety


• Mining


• Critical Infrastructure


• NERC CIP


• IEC 62443


• Zero Trust


• Defense-in-Depth


• Operational Readiness

Tools & Technologies

• Nokia


• Ericsson


• Cisco


• Juniper


• Palo Alto


• Fortinet


• SIEM Integration


• Logging


• Secure Configuration Baselines


• Decision Documentation