5G/6G System Integration & Test Engineer

Test Base Station (TBS) platform protocol validation for 5G NR and early 6G protocols.

Originally posted 29 October 2026 by the employer.

About the role

Qualcomm's Wireless R&D group develops the Test Base Station (TBS) platform used to verify the functionality of QCT mobile chipsets. In this role, you will define, develop, and execute protocol test plans that validate cellular technologies across 3GPP standards and early 6G wireless protocols.

What you'll do

• Create, update, and execute test plans for 5G NR (Standalone and Non-Standalone) and early 6G protocol layers (L1/L2/L3).
• Analyze air interface logs and debug signaling across NAS, RRC, PDCP, RLC, and MAC layers.
• Design and maintain Python test scripts to improve test coverage and execution efficiency.
• Work with software developers, system architects, and field engineers to reproduce, isolate, and resolve critical defects.
• Track evolving 3GPP standards (Release 15 through 18 and beyond) and convert new feature requirements into actionable test cases.
• Write test plans, procedures, and reports that document validation progress and coverage.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• 2 years of hands-on experience in cellular protocol testing or development.
• Technical understanding of 3GPP 5G NR protocols, including architectural differences between SA and NSA modes.
• Experience with log analysis tools such as Qualcomm QXDM/QCAT, Wireshark, or vendor-specific trace tools.
• Python programming or scripting skills for test automation.

Nice to have

• Experience with millimeter-wave (mmWave) and sub-6 GHz RF environments.
• Exposure to early 6G research, whitepapers, or simulations (for example, AI-driven air interfaces).
• Experience with Open RAN (O-RAN) architectures and interfaces.

Skills: 5G NR, protocol testing, Python, QXDM, 3GPP

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