ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Physical Layer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Viavi Solutions

$102.72 - $136.95/hr

## QA Hardware Engineer 3 - Physical Layer (L0/L1)Applylocations: Eningen, DEUtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: 260004728**Summary:**VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) has a 100+ year ...

Marvell

Link Layer architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Define interfaces between link layer, transaction layer, and physical layer * Optimizelink efficiency, latency, and bandwidthutilization Standards & Industry Engagement * Stay current with emerging ...

Nokia

5G gNB Layer 2 and Layer 3 Developer

Coppell, TX · On-site

$105K - $195K/yr

Integrate and test L2/L3 software with the physical layer (PHY) and core network (5GC) to ensure seamless operations. Qualifications You have: * 3+ years of experience in 5G NR or LTE RAN development ...

MatchPoint Solutions

RCDD Consultant

Denver, CO · On-site

$45 - $50/hr

Key Responsibilities Physical Layer Design & Detailed Engineering * Produce physical installation designs including rack elevations , cable routing , fiber distribution layouts , and patching schemes

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsScience JobsPhysical Layer Jobs

Physical Layer information

See salary details

$5

$29

$41

How much do physical layer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for physical layer in the United States is $29.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.92 and $31.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a physical layer?

The Physical Layer is the first and lowest layer in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model of computer networking. It is responsible for the physical connection between devices, including the transmission and reception of raw bit streams over a physical medium such as cables, fiber optics, or wireless signals. This layer defines the hardware elements involved, such as cables, switches, and network interface cards, and manages aspects like voltage levels, timing, and data rates. Its primary function is to ensure that data is transmitted accurately and efficiently from one device to another.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a physical layer engineer?

To thrive as a Physical Layer Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, signal processing, and communication systems, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with simulation tools like MATLAB, hardware description languages (HDL), and testing equipment such as oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers is typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and attention to detail help set candidates apart in this field. These skills ensure robust and efficient design, implementation, and troubleshooting of physical layer components critical to modern communication systems.

What are some common challenges faced by physical layer engineers when working on large-scale communication systems?

Physical Layer engineers often encounter challenges such as minimizing signal interference, optimizing bandwidth usage, and ensuring reliable data transmission across various environments. Working on large-scale systems requires close collaboration with hardware designers and software engineers to address issues like electromagnetic compatibility and signal integrity. Additionally, adapting designs to meet evolving industry standards and integrating new technologies can be both demanding and rewarding, offering valuable learning opportunities and career growth.

What is the difference between Physical Layer vs Network Technician?

AspectPhysical LayerNetwork Technician
Primary RoleHandles the physical transmission of data, including cables, connectors, and hardwareInstalls, maintains, and troubleshoots network hardware and connectivity issues
Required CertificationsCompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA (basic)CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, or similar
Work EnvironmentData centers, telecom sites, hardware installation sitesOffices, data centers, client sites
Industry UsageTelecommunications, IT infrastructureIT services, networking companies

The Physical Layer focuses on the physical aspects of data transmission, such as cables and hardware, while the Network Technician manages network setup, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Both roles require similar certifications and often work together to ensure network functionality.

What states have the most Physical Layer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Physical Layer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Physical Layer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Physical Layer jobs are:

Physical Layer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Physical Layer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,195 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

QA Hardware Engineer 3 - Physical Layer (L0/L1)

Viavi Solutions

On-site

$102.72 - $136.95/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

## QA Hardware Engineer 3 - Physical Layer (L0/L1)Applylocations: Eningen, DEUtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: 260004728**Summary:**VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) has a 100+ year history of technical innovations that have evolved to keep pace and address our customers’ most pressing business issues. We make equipment, software, and systems that help to plan, deploy, certify, monitor, and optimize all kinds of networks - like those for mobile phones, service providers, large businesses and data centers. VIAVI is also a leader in high performance thin film optical coatings and engineered diffusers, providing light management solutions to anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, automotive, defense and instrumentation markets. We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected – at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are fierce about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company - to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.**Duties & Responsibilities:*** Validate Ethernet physical layer hardware interface behavior: link negotiation, signal integrity, link state transitions and counters, optical transceiver operation.* Reproduce and root-cause hardware and firmware defects through systematic test isolation at the PHY level.* Build and maintain lab test setups including optical and copper interfaces (OSFP, QSFP-DD).* Analyze test failures, capture logs, and document defects with clear reproduction steps in the issue tracker.* Collaborate closely with hardware, software and application dev teams to triage failures and drive quality improvements.* Define and review long-term, performance, and scalability test scenarios for physical-layer components.* Derive test requirements from hardware validation reports and functional test specifications.* Contribute to CI/CD test integration for automated regression coverage of physical-layer test suites.**Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:**Engineering Profile:* Degree in electrical engineering, computer science or equivalent work experience.* **Practical experience of H/W bring-up and troubleshooting of high-speed hardware interconnects.*** Familiarity with test and measurement tools: protocol analyzers, oscilloscopes, BERT testers.* **Experience and understanding of the Ethernet L1 Physical layer.*** **Understanding of the Ethernet L2 Data Link/MAC layer.*** **Experience with managed Ethernet transceivers.*** Experience with Python scripting for API automation.* **Fluent English & German language skills.*** Deep knowledge of IEEE802.3, high-speed Ethernet (100GE+) and transceivers, PCS/FEC constitutes an advantage. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply