Permanent Ran Optimization Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX

Amazon Leo is building a Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation to deliver high speed, low latency broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. As part of Payload Integration and Test, this role is focused on hands on integration, validation, troubleshooting, and qualification of end to end satellite communications systems across space, ground, RF, modem, RAN, Core, transport, and cloud infrastructure. The work is lab centered and system focused. The role is not a software development position, but the ability to use Linux, Python, protocol traces, packet captures, and automation to debug complex systems is highly valuable.
Export Control Requirement
Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident that is a current Green Card holder, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Key job responsibilities
This role owns 3GPP interpretation and protocol validation for PIT. The candidate should be able to translate 3GPP requirements into lab tests, identify gaps in implementation or test coverage, and determine whether failures are standards, implementation, configuration, interoperability, or environment related.
Key Job Responsibilities
• Lead 3GPP protocol validation for Release 17 NTN features across RAN, Core, IMS, mobility, bearer management, and service continuity.
• Define test strategies and pass fail criteria for RRC, NAS, NGAP, XnAP, F1AP, E1AP, PDCP, RLC, MAC, GTP U, IMS, SIP, RTP, and VoNR procedures.
• Interpret 3GPP specifications and convert standards requirements into executable integration, regression, conformance, and interoperability test cases.
• Validate Open RAN behavior across CU, DU, RU, gNodeB, 5G Core, and IMS systems in lab, HIL, OTA, and end to end environments.
• Drive deep debug of protocol failures including registration, attach, PDU session setup, handover, cell reselection, bearer setup, QoS, IMS registration, and VoNR call setup.
• Analyze protocol logs, packet captures, vendor traces, modem traces, RAN traces, Core traces, and RF correlated failures to identify root cause.
• Partner with architecture, standards, RAN, Core, RF, modem, software, payload, and operations teams to close standards compliance and interoperability gaps.
• Track industry evolution across Release 17, Release 18, NTN, Open RAN, IMS, VoNR, MOCN, MORAN, and Multi PLMN deployments.
• Produce clear test coverage maps, defect narratives, readiness summaries, and risk assessments for leadership and technical stakeholders.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate's degree or above
- 5+ years experience on LTE or 5G protocol validation, systems integration, conformance, interoperability, or protocol stack troubleshooting experience.
- Deep knowledge of 3GPP Release 17, with specific understanding of NTN behavior and satellite related protocol impacts.
- Strong understanding of RRC, NAS, NGAP, F1AP, E1AP, XnAP, PDCP, RLC, MAC, GTP U, SCTP, QoS, mobility, and bearer management.
- Experience with Open RAN architecture, including CU, DU, RU, gNodeB behavior, and disaggregated RAN integration.
- Experience with VoNR and IMS protocols, including registration, SIP signaling, RTP media, call setup, call release, and failure handling.
- Experience analyzing protocol logs and packet captures to determine root cause across RAN, Core, IMS, UE, modem, and network elements.
- Experience designing test plans, regression coverage, conformance validation, and interoperability validation in a lab environment.
- Linux proficiency and ability to work directly with test equipment, logs, scripts, and lab systems
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with LEO, satellite communications, NTN test systems, or satellite terrestrial network integration.
- Experience with 3GPP Release 18 NTN, emerging NTN work items, or standards body participation.
- Experience with MOCN, MORAN, Multi PLMN broadcast, PLMN selection, shared RAN, and carrier interoperability.
- Experience validating emergency services, roaming, slicing, IMS services, QoS, policy control, or carrier acceptance requirements.
- Experience with Keysight, Anritsu, Rohde and Schwarz, Amarisoft, Spirent, Viavi, or comparable protocol and conformance tools.
- Python scripting experience for protocol log parsing, automated test verdicts, or coverage analysis.
- Ability to mentor engineers who are strong in RF, networking, or lab execution but less experienced in 3GPP protocol detail.
- Experience building trace based defect narratives that clearly separate symptoms, evidence, standards references, and suspected owner.
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The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, WA, Redmond - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually