Data Core / Packet Core Engineer
First seen by Alion on Sep 15, 2026.
Role Summary :
The Data Core/Packet Core Engineer will design, integrate, optimise and support carrier-grade mobile data core networks across 3G, 4G and 5G technologies.
The successful engineer will have strong hands-on experience across gateway and mobility domains in 4G and 5G mobile core networks, including MME, SGW and PGW in EPC, and AMF, SMF and UPF in 5G Core. Experience of Ericsson or Nokia packet core products is highly advantageous.
Key Responsibilities :
- Design, configure, integrate, test, optimise and support 3G, 4G and 5G mobile data core platforms in live operator environments.
- Engineer gateway functions including GGSN, SGW, PGW, CUPS control/user-plane components, SMF and UPF.
- Engineer mobility functions including SGSN, MME and AMF, covering registration, attach, session, bearer, paging and handover procedures.
- Integrate the packet core with network functions such as e/gNB, HLR/HSS/UDM, PCRF/PCF, OCS/CHF, DNS, SBC, roaming, IPX/GRX and external data networks.
- Support 5G NSA and SA deployments, EPC5GC interworking, roaming and service continuity across 3G, 4G and 5G.
- Analyse traces, alarms, logs and KPIs to troubleshoot signalling, session, mobility, throughput, latency, charging and user-plane issues.
- Review and maintain HLDs, LLDs, MOPs, test plans, migration and rollback plans, capacity models and operational handover documentation.
- Lead incident investigation, root-cause analysis, change implementation and service restoration for business-critical packet core services.
Tech Stack :
- 3G/4G/5G Packet Core, MME, SGW, PGW, AMF, SMF, UPF, GGSN, SGSN, HSS/UDM, PCRF/PCF, GTP, Diameter, PFCP, HTTP/2, SCTP, TCP/IP, DNS.
- Virtualization/Cloud-native : VNF/CNF, Kubernetes, OpenShift, VMware, OpenStack.
- Tools : Wireshark, Linux/Unix, Python, Ericsson/Nokia management tools.
Required Experience :
- 8+ years experience in mobile data core, packet core or carrier-grade telecoms network engineering.
- Strong hands-on experience with 3G, 4G and 5G mobile core networks in design, configuration, integration, migration, optimisation and operational support.
- Demonstrable experience with both gateway and mobility functions.
- Experience operating live production networks, leading technical changes and resolving high-impact incidents.
Preferred Certifications :
- Ericsson or Nokia Packet Core, EPC, 5G Core, cloud-native core or product-specific training/certification is advantageous.
- 3GPP mobile core, Kubernetes, OpenShift, VMware, OpenStack, IP networking or ITIL certification is desirable.
Skills
3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, OpenStack, Python, Linux, TCP/IP, Evolved Packet Core, Network Protocols, 3GPP