Wireless Protocol Software Engineer – Layer 2 (MAC, RLC, PDCP)
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 12, 2026. First seen by Alion on Mar 31, 2026. Keysight scores B on the Alion truth index.
Keysight is at the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.
Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.
Keysight is looking for a recent graduate (MSc or PhD) in Telecommunications Engineering to join our R&D team as a Wireless Protocol Software Engineer focused on Layer 2 (L2).
This is an excellent opportunity to start your career working on cutting-edge 5G and emerging 6G technologies, contributing to real-world implementations of 3GPP protocol stacks used in advanced wireless test and emulation platforms.
You will work alongside experienced engineers in a collaborative, multi-site international environment, gaining hands-on experience in designing and developing high-performance protocol software.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the design, development, and testing of Layer 2 protocol stack components:
- MAC (Medium Access Control)
- RLC (Radio Link Control)
- PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol)
- Support development of UE and base station (gNB) emulation solutions
- Analyze and implement features from 3GPP LTE and 5G NR specifications
- Assist in translating requirements into:
- Clean and maintainable code
- Test cases and validation scenarios
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (systems, RF, protocol, software) to:
- Investigate and debug protocol behavior
- Support issue analysis and resolution
- Participate in continuous learning of evolving standards and technologies (5G Advanced, pre-6G)
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- MSc or PhD in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
- Strong theoretical knowledge of wireless communications and 3GPP LTE / 5G NR
- Understanding of Layer 2 protocols (MAC, RLC, PDCP) from coursework, thesis, or research
- Programming skills in C or C++
- Basic knowledge of:
- Multithreading or concurrent programming
- Software development practices and debugging
- Analytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills
- Good communication skills in English
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience (academic projects, internship, or thesis) in:
- Wireless protocol implementation or simulation
- Network emulation or system-level modeling
- Familiarity with:
- Linux development environment
- Version control systems (e.g., Git)
- Debugging or protocol analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark)
- Exposure to:
- O-RAN concepts or modern network architectures
- Scripting languages (e.g., Python)
Tools & Technologies (You Will Learn and Use)
- Git · JIRA
- Wireshark
- Debugging tools (e.g., Valgrind)
- CI/CD and modern development workflows
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work on real 5G and future 6G systems
- Mentorship from experienced protocol and system engineers
- Exposure to industry standards (3GPP) and real implementations
- A collaborative and international R&D environment
- Clear growth path toward technical expertise or leadership roles
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Passion for wireless technologies and protocol design
- Strong learning agility and curiosity
- Motivation to bridge theory and real-world systems
- Interest in building high-performance, production-quality software
Salary Range (Italy): €38,780 - €64,630 gross annual
CCNL: Terziario, Distribuzione e Servizi (CCNL Commercio)
While posted at a specific level, this role may be filled at a different level based on the selected candidate's experience and qualifications. Compensation will be aligned with the final level of the role.
Careers Privacy Statement ***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***
- Contribute to the design, development, and testing of Layer 2 protocol stack components:
- MAC (Medium Access Control)
- RLC (Radio Link Control)
- PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol)
- Support development of UE and base station (gNB) emulation solutions
- Analyze and implement features from 3GPP LTE and 5G NR specifications
- Assist in translating requirements into:
- Clean and maintainable code
- Test cases and validation scenarios
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (systems, RF, protocol, software) to:
- Investigate and debug protocol behavior
- Support issue analysis and resolution
- Participate in continuous learning of evolving standards and technologies (5G Advanced, pre-6G)
Required Qualifications
- MSc or PhD in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
- Strong theoretical knowledge of wireless communications and 3GPP LTE / 5G NR
- Understanding of Layer 2 protocols (MAC, RLC, PDCP) from coursework, thesis, or research
- Programming skills in C or C++
- Basic knowledge of:
- Multithreading or concurrent programming
- Software development practices and debugging
- Analytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills
- Good communication skills in English
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience (academic projects, internship, or thesis) in:
- Wireless protocol implementation or simulation
- Network emulation or system-level modeling
- Familiarity with:
- Linux development environment
- Version control systems (e.g., Git)
- Debugging or protocol analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark)
- Exposure to:
- O-RAN concepts or modern network architectures
- Scripting languages (e.g., Python)
Tools & Technologies (You Will Learn and Use)
- Git · JIRA
- Wireshark
- Debugging tools (e.g., Valgrind)
- CI/CD and modern development workflows
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work on real 5G and future 6G systems
- Mentorship from experienced protocol and system engineers
- Exposure to industry standards (3GPP) and real implementations
- A collaborative and international R&D environment
- Clear growth path toward technical expertise or leadership roles
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Passion for wireless technologies and protocol design
- Strong learning agility and curiosity
- Motivation to bridge theory and real-world systems
- Interest in building high-performance, production-quality software
Salary Range (Italy): €38,780 - €64,630 gross annual
CCNL: Terziario, Distribuzione e Servizi (CCNL Commercio)
While posted at a specific level, this role may be filled at a different level based on the selected candidate's experience and qualifications. Compensation will be aligned with the final level of the role.
Careers Privacy Statement ***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***