1

Freelance Packet Core Engineer Jobs in California

Sr. Software Engineer, EC2 VPC

San Diego, CA

$130K - $171K/yr

We are growing fast and looking for senior systems engineers who can deliver ultra-high performance - our goal is processing millions of packets per second on a single CPU core. This demands highly ...

Showing results 21-40

Freelance Packet Core Engineer information

What is the difference between Freelance Packet Core Engineer vs Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician?

AspectFreelance Packet Core EngineerNetwork Operations Center (NOC) Technician
CredentialsNetworking certifications (e.g., CCNA, CCNP), LTE/5G knowledgeNetworking certifications, basic troubleshooting skills
Work EnvironmentRemote, project-based, client-specificOn-site or remote, monitoring network systems
Industry UsageTelecom, mobile network providers, freelance platformsTelecom, ISPs, enterprise networks

Freelance Packet Core Engineers focus on designing, implementing, and optimizing core network components for telecom providers, often working remotely on specific projects. NOC Technicians monitor and troubleshoot network issues in real-time, typically within a fixed environment. While both roles require networking knowledge and certifications, the freelance Packet Core Engineer emphasizes project-based work on core network infrastructure, whereas NOC Technicians focus on ongoing network maintenance and support.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance packet core engineer?

To thrive as a Freelance Packet Core Engineer, you need expertise in mobile core network technologies (such as EPC, 4G/5G, and IP networking), typically backed by a degree in telecommunications or computer science. Proficiency with tools like Wireshark, EPC nodes (MME, SGW, PGW), and certifications from vendors like Cisco or Nokia are highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and self-management skills set standout engineers apart in client-driven environments. These skills ensure reliable network performance, efficient troubleshooting, and successful project delivery in a rapidly evolving telecom landscape.

What is a freelance packet core engineer?

A Freelance Packet Core Engineer is a telecommunications specialist who works independently (not as a full-time employee) to design, implement, and maintain packet core networks within mobile communication systems such as 4G LTE and 5G. Their role involves configuring core network elements like SGW, PGW, and MME, troubleshooting network issues, ensuring data security, and optimizing network performance. They often work with mobile operators or vendors on a project basis, providing expertise for network deployments, upgrades, or migrations. Freelance Packet Core Engineers need to have strong knowledge of networking protocols, mobile core architectures, and relevant industry standards.

What are the most common challenges faced by freelance packet core engineers when working with multiple clients?

Freelance Packet Core Engineers often face challenges such as quickly adapting to varying network architectures, managing different client expectations, and ensuring seamless integration with diverse legacy and next-generation systems. Each client may use distinct equipment and have unique security policies, requiring the engineer to rapidly familiarize themselves with new platforms and protocols. Effective communication and time management are also crucial, as freelancers often juggle several projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of performance and documentation.
What are the most commonly searched types of Packet Core Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Packet Core Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Freelance Packet Core Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Freelance Packet Core Engineer job openings:

Senior Software Engineer, Distributed Networks

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA

$131K - $173K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,061 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

Anduril's Software Platform organization is seeking a Software Engineer to join the Data Distribution team. The Data Distribution team builds and operates the Distributed Service Bus (DSB) - Anduril's next-generation mesh networking communication layer that enables autonomous systems and operators to communicate reliably across denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) network environments. DSB manages multi-path routing across tactical radios, satellite links, and wired networks while providing pub/sub messaging, reliable request/response, bidirectional streaming, gossip-based dissemination, and gRPC proxy capabilities to every node in the Lattice mesh.

ABOUT THE JOB

As a Software Engineer on Data Distribution, you will design and build the core networking infrastructure that Lattice depends on to connect thousands of assets in contested environments. The right person for this role has strong systems programming fundamentals and experience building distributed networking systems. If you are someone who thrives on solving hard distributed systems problems under real-world constraints - bandwidth-limited RF links, dynamic topologies, and strict latency requirements - then this role is for you.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Design and implement new features for the Distributed Service Bus, including gossip protocols, OSPF-style link-state routing, and flow control mechanisms
  • Build and extend the gRPC proxy layer that enables existing services to communicate transparently over the DSB mesh
  • Debug complex distributed networking issues spanning tactical radios, UDP/TCP transports, and mesh routing - from packet captures on deployed assets to cloud infrastructure
  • Collaborate with product teams across business lines to deploy DSB onto new hardware platforms and support migrations from legacy communication buses
  • Design and implement protocol-level optimizations for bandwidth-constrained RF links, including compression, prefix routing, and priority-based QoS scheduling
  • Write RFCs and technical design documents for new protocol features and API surfaces
  • Build deterministic simulation harnesses that allow the same production code to run in fully reproducible test environments
  • Improve observability through Prometheus metrics, Grafana dashboards, and CLI tooling (dsbtool) for live mesh inspection and debugging
  • Contribute to the security posture of the communication layer, including packet signing (ECDSA), FIPS compliance, and end-to-end encryption
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • 5+ years of professional software engineering experience
  • Proficiency in a systems programming language (Rust, C, C++, or Go)
  • Strong understanding of networking fundamentals: TCP/UDP, socket programming, MTU, multicast, TLS/mTLS
  • Experience building or maintaining distributed systems (message buses, RPC frameworks, consensus protocols, or similar)
  • Familiarity with asynchronous programming models (async/await, event loops, futures)
  • Comfort working with Protocol Buffers and/or gRPC
  • Ability to read packet captures and use network debugging tools (tcpdump, Wireshark, etc.)
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Production experience writing Rust
  • Experience with gossip protocols, epidemic broadcast, or peer-to-peer overlay networks
  • Familiarity with link-state routing protocols (OSPF, IS-IS) or inter-domain routing (BGP)
  • Experience with deterministic simulation or property-based testing of distributed systems
  • Familiarity with Kubernetes and container orchestration

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.


What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

Social media