Freelance 5G Core Network Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities

Peraton Labs is seeking a 5G DevOps Engineer to support a cleared research program focused on advanced networking, 5G/telecom systems, cyber experimentation, and prototype-to-operational software development. In this role you will support hands-on deployment, automation, configuration, integration, and troubleshooting of complex Linux, networking, virtualization, and cloud-native environments. You will work with research, infrastructure, and customer teams to build and sustain 5G-enabled testbeds and experimentation platforms.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with strong Linux skills, DevOps experience, networking knowledge, and the ability to support dynamic secure research environments.

This position requires full-time on-site work at a customer facility near College Park, MD.

Responsibilities may include:

• Deploy, configure, automate, and troubleshoot Linux-based research and development environments
• Support 4G/5G telecom testbeds, including core network, RAN, IMS, BBU, and related network components
• Build and maintain containerized and cloud-native environments using tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, and Helm
• Develop scripts and automation for system privisioning, configuration management, testing, deployment, and research operations
• Support CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, version control workflows, and repeatable deployment processes
• Configure and troubleshoot network infrastructure, including routers, switches, VLANs, DNS/DHCP, NAT, firewalls, and segmented lab networks
• Support virtualization and/or cluster environments using tools such as Proxmox, OpenStack, VMware, or similar platforms
• Integrate software applications, network services, telecom components, and research prototypes into complex multi-system environments
• Document configurations, deployment steps, troubleshooting procedures, and operational runbooks
• Work independently and collaboratively with government, Peraton Labs, and subcontractor teams

*This position may be eligible for an increased sign-on bonus. Eligibility, bonus amount, and applicable terms and conditions will be discussed during the recruiting process*

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Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with BS/BA; 1+ years with MS/MA; or a PhD. In lieu of a Bachelors' degree an additional 4 years of experience is required for a total of 7+ years of experience
• Strong Linux systems experience
• Ability to program/script in Python, Bash, C/C++, Java, Go, or similar languages
• Experience with DevOps, systems engineering, infrastructure automation, network engineering, or platform engineering
• Experience with containers such as Docker, Podman, or Kubernetes-based environments
• Understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, NAT, and firewalls
• Experience troubleshooting complex software, system, network, or infrastructure issues
• Ability to support hands-on lab, prototype, test, or operational environments
• Strong communication and documentation skills
• US Citizenship with a TS/SCI w/ Polygraph is a requirement for this position

Desired Additional Skills

• Experience with 4G/5G telecom equipment or software, including BBUs, RAN, 5G Core, EPC, IMS, gNB/eNB, Open RAN, or virtualized network functions
• Experience with telecom platforms such as OpenAirInterface (OAI), srsRAN, free5GC, Open5GS, Amarisoft, Magma, or similar tools
• Experience with Kubernetes, Helm, Kustomize, Docker Comose, Argo CD, or Flux
• Experience with CI/CD tools such as Gitlab CI, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or Tekton
• Experience with automation tools such as Ansible, Terraform/OpenTofu, Packer, Pupet, Chef, or SaltStack
• Experience with virtualization or private cloud platforms such as Proxmox, OpenStack, VMWare, KVM/libvirt, or Nutanix
• Experience with hardware clusters, cyber ranges, telecom labs, SDR platforms, or network experimentation environments
• Experience with monitoring or logging tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, ELK/OpenSearch, Loki, Fluent Bit, Zabbix, or Nagios
• Experience with test automation, system integration testing, network validation, or performance testing
• Familiarity with secure system design, STIGs, RMF, vulnerability management, or classified government environments
• Familiarity with RF, SDR, wireless communications, cyber operations, network security research, SDN, NFV, or service mesh technologies

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$104,000 - $166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME