Forward Deployment Engineer – Senior - 5G/6G/NTN
$134,950 - $224,920 USD yearly
Originally posted 31 October 2026 by the employer.
About the role
This role involves developing, customizing, integrating, and optimizing software solutions in protocol stacks and wireless communication systems. You will contribute code, debug protocol stack behavior, and address technical challenges across Layer 1 through Layer 3.
What you'll do
- Design, develop, and enhance software features within wireless communication systems and protocol stacks using C/C++ and Python for Linux-based environments.
- Analyze, debug, and troubleshoot complex issues across Layer 1 (PHY), Layer 2 (MAC/RLC/PDCP), and Layer 3 (RRC/NAS) protocols.
- Modify existing software and write new production-quality code to meet customer-specific requirements and performance optimizations.
- Develop APIs, software tools, automation frameworks, and diagnostics to improve development productivity and system visibility.
- Analyze signaling logs, traces, packet captures, and timing behavior to perform root-cause analysis on system issues.
- Collaborate with R&D teams and lead customer technical discussions to translate findings into software enhancements.
What you'll need
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- 6 to 7 years of experience in software development for wireless communication systems.
- Strong software development experience in C/C++ and Python within Linux environments.
- Solid understanding of 4G LTE, 5G NR, or 5G-Advanced technologies and 3GPP specifications.
- Hands-on software development and debugging experience within one or more wireless protocol stack layers, including PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, or NAS.
- Strong root-cause analysis and debugging skills utilizing logs, traces, packet captures, and software debugging tools.
Nice to have
- Experience with modem software, protocol stack development, wireless infrastructure, device testing, or network simulation platforms.
- Experience with embedded software, real-time systems, or firmware development.
- Knowledge of wireless test and measurement systems.
- Exposure to 5G-Advanced, NTN, Open RAN, or emerging 6G technologies.
Skills: 5G NR, 3GPP, protocol stack, C++, RRC, Linux
This role has been open 0 days — well below the 57-day median for Infrastructure/Platform Software roles.
Infrastructure/Platform Software · Networking Software
|
Open roles in category
45
|
Median days open
57 d
|
Category median salary (all employers)
$270k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | Keysight Technologies | All employers we track in this specialty (45 roles · 10 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 2 | 45 |
| Open roles in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family | 153 | 6321 · 144 employers |
| Median days open | 0 d | 57 d (−57 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $270k |
Skills observed across this category: 5G NR, 3GPP, protocol stack, C++, RRC, Linux
Who's hiring in this category
- NVIDIA · 30 open roles · median 53 d
- Arm Holdings · 3 open roles · median 184 d
- Eridu AI · 3 open roles · median 150 d
- Broadcom · 2 open roles · median 29 d
- Upscale AI · 2 open roles · median 97 d
- AMD · 1 open role · median 66 d
How we counted: 45 open Infrastructure/Platform Software (Networking Software) roles from 10 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 1 Nov 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family row. Figures refresh nightly.