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5G Software Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kratos Defense

5G Software Test Lead

Colorado Springs, CO · Hybrid

$150K - $200K/yr

Oversee test engineers and ensure consistent execution Collaboration & Integration * Work with software, systems, engineering teams, and external vendors to identify test gaps * Support integration ...

Parallel Wireless

Engineer I, RT 5G Stack

Boston, MA · On-site +1

The candidate will work with a small team of software developers to implement major new product ... Perform technical analysis and review of technical concepts related to 5G software design

Viasat, Inc.

Senior Software Engineer - 5G Devices

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$127K - $167K/yr

We are seeking an 5G Devices Senior Software Engineer to design and develop modular software platforms for user equipment (UE) and customer premises equipment (CPE). This role focuses on device-side ...

Athena Technologies LLC

Software Developer

Orlando, FL · On-site

$49K - $130K/yr

Participate in Agile software development ceremonies (scrum, retrospective, etc.) * Support ... 5G network design, automated network & design optimization and end-to-end mobile network ...

Athena Technologies LLC

Software Developer

Orlando, FL · On-site

$49K - $130K/yr

Participate in Agile software development ceremonies (scrum, retrospective, etc.) * Support ... 5G network design, automated network & design optimization and end-to-end mobile network ...

Nokia

5G gNB PHY Developer

Plano, TX · On-site

$105K - $195K/yr

As an Applied R&D Engineer 4 - SW, you will play a crucial role in our TAO BLSR Space Communication ... Conduct thorough unit and integration testing, debugging, and performance tuning of PHY software ...

Aerospacelab, Inc.

WI · On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

Senior Software Engineer - 5G NTN RAN (L2/L3) Our mission is supported by an ambitious vertically integrated approach: design & manufacture of small satellites combined with development of earth ...

Fairwinds Technologies, LLC

$130K - $160K/yr

Build infrastructure supporting LTE, 5G, OpenAirInterface (OAI), Software Defined Radio (SDR), and ... Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering ...

Aerospacelab, Inc.

WI · On-site

Junior Software Engineer - 5G NTN RAN (L2/L3) Our mission is supported by an ambitious vertically integrated approach: design & manufacture of small satellites combined with development of earth ...

Apple Inc.

$150K - $277K/yr

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware Join this small team of extraordinary engineers that ... A good understanding of cellular protocol stacks, particularly 5G. * Software development ...

Aerospacelab, Inc.

WI · On-site

Our team gathers more than 25 engineering expertise, from hardware design to software development ... Your mission We are building the future of 5G connectivity in space. As part of Aerospacelab, you ...

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5G Software Developer information

See salary details

$48K

$111.8K

$166K

How much do 5g software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for 5g software developer in the United States is $111,845.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a 5G software developer?

A 5G Software Developer is a professional who designs, develops, tests, and optimizes software solutions for fifth-generation (5G) wireless communication networks. They work on various aspects of 5G technology, including network protocols, real-time processing, edge computing, and integration with hardware. Their role is essential in enabling high-speed, low-latency connectivity and supporting new use cases like IoT, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities. 5G Software Developers often collaborate with network engineers, hardware developers, and other software teams to deliver robust and scalable solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 5G software developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 5G Software Developer, you need expertise in wireless communication protocols, C/C++ or Python programming, and a degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with 3GPP standards, network simulators, and development tools like Git, Jenkins, and Docker is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective teamwork distinguish top performers in this field. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing reliable, high-performance 5G solutions that meet evolving technical and industry requirements.

What are some common challenges 5G software developers face when working on real-time communication systems?

5G Software Developers often encounter challenges related to ensuring low latency and high reliability in real-time communication systems. These systems require precise coordination between hardware and software components, as well as robust error handling to maintain seamless connectivity. Developers must stay up-to-date with the latest 3GPP standards while integrating new features and optimizing performance. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as network engineers and QA testers, is key to addressing these challenges and delivering high-quality 5G solutions.

What is the difference between 5G Software Developer vs 5G Network Engineer?

Aspect5G Software Developer5G Network Engineer
Primary FocusDeveloping software applications and solutions for 5G networksDesigning, implementing, and maintaining 5G network infrastructure
Required SkillsProgramming, software architecture, 5G protocolsNetwork configuration, hardware setup, troubleshooting
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, labs, officesNetwork operations centers, field sites
CertificationsNetworking certifications (e.g., Cisco, CompTIA), software development certificationsNetworking certifications (e.g., Cisco CCNA, CCNP), hardware certifications

While both roles work within the 5G industry, a 5G Software Developer focuses on creating software solutions for 5G networks, whereas a 5G Network Engineer manages the physical and network infrastructure. Both roles require technical skills and industry knowledge but differ in their core responsibilities and work environments.

What cities are hiring for 5G Software Developer jobs?

Cities with the most 5G Software Developer job openings:

What states have the most 5G Software Developer jobs?

States with the most job openings for 5G Software Developer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to 5G Software Developer jobs?

For 5G Software Developer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various 5G Software Developer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,845 per year, or $53.8 per hour.

Senior 5G Software Test Engineer, Physical Layer

Saratoga, CA • On-site

E-Space
See more jobs at E-Spaceexternal

$150K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure and actionable? Then you've come to the right place!

E-Space is bridging Earth and space to enable hyper-scaled deployments of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system that will fundamentally change the design, economics, manufacturing and service delivery associated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.

We're intentional, we're unapologetically curious and we're 100% committed to innovate space-based communications and deliver actionable intelligence that will expand global economies, protect space and our planet and enhance our overall quality of life.

As a Senior 5G Software Test Engineer focused on the Physical Layer, you will lead the verification, validation, and performance testing of 5G NR PHY software for 3GPP Release 15/16/17 and beyond-5G systems. Your primary focus will be ensuring correctness, performance, and robustness of real-time PHY implementations running on processor- and accelerator-based platforms.
 
You will work closely with PHY software developers, RF engineers, DSP teams, and hardware teams to validate PHY features, diagnose complex issues, and ensure high-quality, production-ready software.
This position is based in the USA (Arlington, TX or Saratoga, CA).
What you will do:
  • 5G PHY Software Testing and Validation
  • Design, develop, and execute PHY-level test plans for 5G NR software implementations
  • Validate key PHY functions such as modulation/demodulation, channel estimation, synchronization, equalization, coding/decoding, and HARQ
  • Verify compliance of PHY implementations with 3GPP Rel 15/16/17 specifications
  • Test Case Development and Automation
  • Create PHY-level test cases, regression tests, and validation scenarios
  • Generate, analyze, and verify PHY test vectors, waveforms, and logs
  • Develop scripts and tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, bash) to support test automation and analysis
  • Lab Verification and Debug
  • Verify PHY functionality using 5G test equipment (e.g., R&S, Keysight/Agilent) and commercial UEs
  • Perform over-the-air (OTA) and conducted testing in lab environments
  • Debug complex PHY, timing, RF, and performance issues across software and hardware boundaries
  • Work closely with developers to reproduce issues and validate fixes
  • Platform, RF, and System Interaction
  • Validate integration of PHY software with RF front-end hardware and digital baseband chains
  • Work with SDR platforms and SoC architectures, including ARM, DSPs, and hardware accelerators
  • Understand and test within real-time and low-latency constraints
  • Collaboration and Ways of Working
  • Collaborate closely with PHY development, RF, systems, hardware, and protocol stack teams
  • Work effectively in a global, distributed team across the U.S., Europe, and India
  • Follow SCRUM / Agile and Continuous Integration development practices
  • Document test plans, results, and issues in Confluence, JIRA, or equivalent systems
What you bring to this role:
  • Master of Science or Master of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering, or equivalent
  • Strong experience in 5G NR PHY testing, validation, or development
  • Solid understanding of digital communications and PHY-layer concepts
  • Experience working with SDR platforms and SoC-based systems
  • Working knowledge of MATLAB and Python for test development and analysis
  • Strong understanding of real-time embedded system behavior
  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and debugging skills
Bonus Points:
  • Deep understanding of 3GPP 5G NR PHY specifications (Rel 15/16/17+)
  • Experience testing Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) or satellite communication systems
  • Hands-on experience with DSPs and hardware accelerators
  • Strong understanding of link budgets, channel models, RF impairments, and lab measurements
  • Experience with waveform generation, PHY simulation, and system bring-up
Additional Requirements
This is a fast-paced, high-impact environment - flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods is expected.
This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga office.  The target base pay for this position is $150,000 - $200,000 annually.  The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 
 
We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used-so we're looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that's your experience - then we'll be immediately wow-ed.
 
E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

Why E-Space is right for you:

As a member of our team, you will play a crucial role in driving our success.  Our team members have a strong sense of dedication and responsibility; this includes a strong commitment to our mission to create an entirely new suite of global capabilities to improve lives, business efficiencies and build a smarter planet. This means that there will be times when extra hours, including nights and weekends, may be needed to meet critical deadlines and mission goals.  In return, we offer a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a high-growth industry.  

We want you to make the most of your journey at E-Space. That's why we support and invest in the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our team members and their families. Some of what you can expect when working at E-Space:

An opportunity to really make a difference
Sustainability at our core
Fair and honest workplace
Innovative thinking is encouraged
Competitive salaries
Continuous learning and development
Health and wellness care options
Financial solutions for the future
Optional legal services (US only)
Paid holidays
Paid time off

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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