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Mobile Packet Core Engineer Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

The role of a Telecommunications Field Engineer at Canonical The telco industry is moving to ... Mobile Packet Core (4G/5G), Private Network, Radio Access Network (RAN), Voice, IP Backbone, VAS or ...

Production Support Engineer

Chicago, IL

$43.25 - $56.50/hr

... network packets and database states to diagnose intricate system behaviors 2 Code Defect Correction Engineering Collaboration Navigate and analyze the core ALTO application codebase to pinpoint ...

Production Support Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$43.25 - $56.50/hr

... network packets and database states to diagnose intricate system behaviors 2 Code Defect Correction Engineering Collaboration Navigate and analyze the core ALTO application codebase to pinpoint ...

Core areas include low-latency networking, unicast and multicast routing, BGP, PIM-SM, performance ... packet analysis * Experience with diverse network switching hardware platforms * Hands-on scripting ...

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$155K - $225K/yr

Core areas include low-latency networking, unicast and multicast routing, BGP, PIM-SM, performance ... packet analysis * Experience with diverse network switching hardware platforms * Hands-on scripting ...

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$155K - $225K/yr

Core areas include low-latency networking, unicast and multicast routing, BGP, PIM-SM, performance ... packet analysis * Experience with diverse network switching hardware platforms * Hands-on scripting ...

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Mobile Packet Core Engineer information

See Elgin, IL salary details

$10

$59

$92

How much do mobile packet core engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for mobile packet core engineer in Elgin, IL is $59.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.14 and $77.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Mobile Packet Core Engineers in maintaining network performance?

Mobile Packet Core Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing network congestion, ensuring seamless handovers between different network nodes, and troubleshooting complex issues that can impact data throughput or latency. They must also stay updated with evolving technologies like 5G, which introduces new protocols and architectures. Collaboration with radio access network teams and IT security specialists is often required to optimize performance and maintain a secure, reliable core network.

What is the difference between Mobile Packet Core Engineer vs Mobile Network Engineer?

AspectMobile Packet Core EngineerMobile Network Engineer
Primary FocusDesign, deployment, and optimization of packet core networks for mobile dataOverall mobile network infrastructure, including radio, transmission, and core
Required SkillsLTE/5G core architecture, IP networking, signaling protocolsRadio access, network troubleshooting, transmission systems
Work EnvironmentTelecom operators, network vendors, service providersTelecom companies, network service providers, infrastructure firms
CertificationsCisco, Nokia, Ericsson certifications, LTE/5G certificationsNetwork+, CCNA, RF certifications

The Mobile Packet Core Engineer specializes in core network components like LTE and 5G packet cores, focusing on data routing and signaling. In contrast, the Mobile Network Engineer has a broader role, covering the entire mobile network infrastructure. Both roles often work in telecom environments and require networking certifications, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior Mobile Packet Core Engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in LTE/5G networks, and relevant certifications can earn $200,000 or more annually. High salaries are often associated with roles in large companies, leadership positions, or those working in high-cost-of-living areas, especially when combined with advanced knowledge of network architecture and troubleshooting tools.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior Mobile Packet Core Engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in LTE/5G networks, and relevant certifications can earn $300,000 or more annually. High-level roles often require advanced knowledge of network architecture, troubleshooting, and vendor-specific equipment, typically in large organizations or consulting firms.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Mobile Packet Core Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mobile Packet Core Engineer, you need a solid background in telecommunications engineering, IP networking, and mobile network architecture, often supported by a relevant degree and industry certifications. Familiarity with core network elements like EPC/5GC, GGSN, SGW, PGW, and tools such as Wireshark, Cisco, and Ericsson or Nokia systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help in diagnosing issues and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These competencies ensure robust, scalable, and reliable mobile network services essential for operator and customer satisfaction.

What is a Mobile Packet Core Engineer?

A Mobile Packet Core Engineer is a telecommunications specialist responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the core network infrastructure that handles data traffic in mobile networks. This includes technologies such as EPC (Evolved Packet Core) in 4G LTE and 5G Core, which manage data sessions, mobility, and internet connectivity for mobile users. These engineers ensure efficient routing, quality of service, security, and network scalability. They troubleshoot core network issues, optimize performance, and support the deployment of new services within the mobile packet core domain.

What is a packet core engineer?

A packet core engineer designs, implements, and maintains the core network infrastructure for mobile data services, such as LTE and 5G networks. They work with network protocols, virtualization tools, and network security to ensure reliable data transmission and optimal network performance.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced Mobile Packet Core Engineers working in senior or specialized roles within telecommunications companies can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. Such roles typically require advanced skills in network architecture, certifications, and extensive industry experience.
What job categories do people searching Mobile Packet Core Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Mobile Packet Core Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL are:
What cities near Elgin, IL are hiring for Mobile Packet Core Engineer jobs? Cities near Elgin, IL with the most Mobile Packet Core Engineer job openings:

Telco Cloud Field Engineer

Canonical

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 17 hours ago


Job description

The role of a Telecommunications Field Engineer at Canonical

The telco industry is moving to software-defined services. This transformation is driven by open source software, cloud computing and the move to VNF / CNF approaches. Canonical Ubuntu is a key platform for telco innovation, and we are growing our team of specialists who work in the industry to accelerate the change.

Canonical enables operators and communications service providers to embrace this new world, with a focus on platforms such as Ubuntu, OpenStack, and Kubernetes, and reusable, high quality automation for operations at scale.

As part of the Canonical Field Engineering organization, you will lead customers through the design and delivery of OpenStack, Kubernetes, and software-defined networking solutions. Your passion for open-source technologies will enable customers to understand and operate advanced infrastructure substrates to meet the demands of 5G, sovereign AI, and beyond.

Location: Remote-based, Americas and EMEA

What your day will look like

  • Translate Service Provider requirements into practical telco cloud platform architectures, enabling VNF/CNF, NFV, and MEC workloads at scale
  • Provide technical pre-sales consulting to Service Provider teams
  • Design and implement telco-grade open source multi-tenant private clouds and micro clouds
  • Investigate, report and/or fix software defects uncovered during customer deployments
  • Demonstrate advanced Infrastructure as code (IaC) techniques relevant to telco
  • Architect and implement advanced, resilient Service Provider Cloud and Application solutions
  • Design and deliver software defined infrastructure with OpenStack, Kubernetes, MAAS and Ceph
  • Help customers adopt advanced Bare Metal, Public, Private and Hybrid Cloud solutions
  • Support customer tenant onboarding, participate in architectural and business capability discussions, and enable successful adoption and production readiness of customer use cases
  • Learn from customer engagements and drive meaningful product improvements
  • Shape our roadmap to accelerate our growth in the telco market

What we are looking for in you

  • A thorough technical understanding of the telco NFVi (VIM), NFVO, VNFM and MEC space and key telco cloud infrastructure technologies like CPU Pinning, NUMA, SR-IOV, DPDK, etc
  • Familiarity with telco architecture and industry standards
  • Working knowledge of at least one of the following domains: Mobile Packet Core (4G/5G), Private Network, Radio Access Network (RAN), Voice, IP Backbone, VAS or OSS/BSS
  • Working knowledge of Linux, Networking, OpenStack and Kubernetes
  • Python software development experience for automation
  • Ability to lead complex projects from start to finish
  • A collaborative, customer-centric mindset with a strong focus on customer success
  • Able to travel up to 25% of the time based on business requirements for events, customer meetings, project delivery

Additional skills that you might also bring

  • Second language such as Spanish, Portuguese or French
  • Track record of open source contributions
  • Understanding of AI and machine learning concepts, including sovereign AI, and their potential applications in telco environments, such as network optimization, predictive maintenance, unified communication, and customer experience improvement
  • Exposure to frameworks such as 3GPP, TM Forum ODA, eTOM, ETSI NFV, ONAP, O-RAN, or similar is a plus

What we offer you

Your base pay will depend on various factors including your geographical location, level of experience, knowledge and skills. In addition to the benefits above, certain roles are also eligible for additional benefits and rewards including annual bonuses and sales incentives based on revenue or utilisation. Our compensation philosophy is to ensure equity right across our global workforce.

In addition to a competitive base pay, we provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. Please note that additional benefits may apply depending on the work location and, for more information on these, you can ask in the later stages of the recruitment process.

  • Fully remote working environment - we've been working remotely since 2004!
  • Personal learning and development budget of 2,000USD per annum
  • Annual compensation review
  • Recognition rewards
  • 40 days annual leave per annum, including public holidays and our All Company holiday periods
  • Parental Leave
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues at 'sprints'
  • Priority Pass for travel and travel upgrades for long haul company events

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm that is at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud, we are changing the world on a daily basis. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence - in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do.

Canonical has been a remote-first company since its inception in 2004.​ Work at Canonical is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game. Canonical provides a unique window into the world of 21st-century digital business.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer

We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.

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