{"id":2256809,"url":"https://alion.io/job/keysight-wireless-protocol-software-engineer-layer-2-mac-rlc-pdcp","title":"Wireless Protocol Software Engineer – Layer 2 (MAC, RLC, PDCP)","company":{"id":53596,"name":"Keysight","domain":"keysight.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/keysight","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Jibe","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":86,"open_postings":116,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.353,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":74,"computed_at":"2026-10-13T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":null,"employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Milan, Italy"],"countries":["IT"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":44000,"max_usd":93000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":142},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"Layer 2","optional":false},{"name":"C","optional":true},{"name":"CI/CD","optional":true},{"name":"Git","optional":true},{"name":"Linux","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true},{"name":"Valgrind","optional":true},{"name":"Wireshark","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-03-31T13:56:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-11","last_verified_at":"2026-10-13T14:48:34Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":196,"trust":{"level":"stale","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale"],"days_open":195},"description":"OverviewKeysight 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.\nOur 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.\nKeysight 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).\nThis 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.\nYou will work alongside experienced engineers in a collaborative, multi-site international environment, gaining hands-on experience in designing and developing high-performance protocol software.\nResponsibilities\nContribute to the design, development, and testing of Layer 2 protocol stack components:\nMAC (Medium Access Control)\nRLC (Radio Link Control)\nPDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol)\nSupport development of UE and base station (gNB) emulation solutions\nAnalyze and implement features from 3GPP LTE and 5G NR specifications\nAssist in translating requirements into:\nClean and maintainable code\nTest cases and validation scenarios\nCollaborate with cross-functional teams (systems, RF, protocol, software) to:\nInvestigate and debug protocol behavior\nSupport issue analysis and resolution\nParticipate in continuous learning of evolving standards and technologies (5G Advanced, pre-6G)\nQualifications\nRequired Qualifications\nMSc or PhD in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field\nStrong theoretical knowledge of wireless communications and 3GPP LTE / 5G NR\nUnderstanding of Layer 2 protocols (MAC, RLC, PDCP) from coursework, thesis, or research\nProgramming skills in C or C++\nBasic knowledge of:\nMultithreading or concurrent programming\nSoftware development practices and debugging\nAnalytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills\nGood communication skills in English\nPreferred Qualifications\nHands-on experience (academic projects, internship, or thesis) in:\nWireless protocol implementation or simulation\nNetwork emulation or system-level modeling\nFamiliarity with:\nLinux development environment\n Version control systems (e.g., Git)\nDebugging or protocol analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark)\nExposure to:\n O-RAN concepts or modern network architectures\nScripting languages (e.g., Python)\nTools & Technologies (You Will Learn and Use)\nGit · JIRA\nWireshark\nDebugging tools (e.g., Valgrind)\nCI/CD and modern development workflows\nWhat We Offer\nOpportunity to work on real 5G and future 6G systems\nMentorship from experienced protocol and system engineers\nExposure to industry standards (3GPP) and real implementations\nA collaborative and international R&D environment\nClear growth path toward technical expertise or leadership roles\nIdeal Candidate Profile\nPassion for wireless technologies and protocol design\nStrong learning agility and curiosity\nMotivation to bridge theory and real-world systems\nInterest in building high-performance, production-quality software\nSalary Range (Italy): €38,780 - €64,630 gross annual\nCCNL: Terziario, Distribuzione e Servizi (CCNL Commercio)\nWhile 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.\nCareers Privacy Statement ***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***\nContribute to the design, development, and testing of Layer 2 protocol stack components:\nMAC (Medium Access Control)\nRLC (Radio Link Control)\nPDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol)\nSupport development of UE and base station (gNB) emulation solutions\nAnalyze and implement features from 3GPP LTE and 5G NR specifications\nAssist in translating requirements into:\nClean and maintainable code\nTest cases and validation scenarios\nCollaborate with cross-functional teams (systems, RF, protocol, software) to:\nInvestigate and debug protocol behavior\nSupport issue analysis and resolution\nParticipate in continuous learning of evolving standards and technologies (5G Advanced, pre-6G)\nRequired Qualifications\nMSc or PhD in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field\nStrong theoretical knowledge of wireless communications and 3GPP LTE / 5G NR\nUnderstanding of Layer 2 protocols (MAC, RLC, PDCP) from coursework, thesis, or research\nProgramming skills in C or C++\nBasic knowledge of:\nMultithreading or concurrent programming\nSoftware development practices and debugging\nAnalytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills\nGood communication skills in English\nPreferred Qualifications\nHands-on experience (academic projects, internship, or thesis) in:\nWireless protocol implementation or simulation\nNetwork emulation or system-level modeling\nFamiliarity with:\nLinux development environment\n Version control systems (e.g., Git)\nDebugging or protocol analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark)\nExposure to:\n O-RAN concepts or modern network architectures\nScripting languages (e.g., Python)\nTools & Technologies (You Will Learn and Use)\nGit · JIRA\nWireshark\nDebugging tools (e.g., Valgrind)\nCI/CD and modern development workflows\nWhat We Offer\nOpportunity to work on real 5G and future 6G systems\nMentorship from experienced protocol and system engineers\nExposure to industry standards (3GPP) and real implementations\nA collaborative and international R&D environment\nClear growth path toward technical expertise or leadership roles\nIdeal Candidate Profile\nPassion for wireless technologies and protocol design\nStrong learning agility and curiosity\nMotivation to bridge theory and real-world systems\nInterest in building high-performance, production-quality software\nSalary Range (Italy): €38,780 - €64,630 gross annual\nCCNL: Terziario, Distribuzione e Servizi (CCNL Commercio)\nWhile 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.\nCareers Privacy Statement ***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***","description_format":"text","description_chars":6678,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"master","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[{"language":"English","level":"All levels","optional":false}]},"benefits":["Continuous learning"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Simulation & Digital Twin Software","Custom Software Development"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-11T04:06:06Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":8,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.281,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":195,"expected_fill_days":74,"reasons":["conf:1","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-13T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/keysight-wireless-protocol-software-engineer-layer-2-mac-rlc-pdcp","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/keysight-wireless-protocol-software-engineer-layer-2-mac-rlc-pdcp.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-13T15:00:33Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":22942,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-14T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":53596},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=53596"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fkeysight-wireless-protocol-software-engineer-layer-2-mac-rlc-pdcp"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fkeysight-wireless-protocol-software-engineer-layer-2-mac-rlc-pdcp"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fkeysight-wireless-protocol-software-engineer-layer-2-mac-rlc-pdcp"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/keysight-wireless-protocol-software-engineer-layer-2-mac-rlc-pdcp\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fkeysight-wireless-protocol-software-engineer-layer-2-mac-rlc-pdcp"}]}