Research Engineer/Sr. Research Engineer

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Open6G group at the Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things, Northeastern University, is leading research and development, testing and integration, and system integration for next-generation wireless systems. We envision programmable and intelligent cellular networks that can be dynamically and algorithmically instrumented and optimized through software and AI. We lead key research in Open Radio Access Network (RAN) systems, contributing to the O-RAN ALLIANCE, and we are a founding member of the AI-RAN Alliance. We work with an industry consortium of 20+ companies, driving research into new approaches and paradigms for cellular systems. Our private 5G/6G testbed features open and open-source software and commercial equipment, seamlessly integrated to provide an advance research, development, and integration environment to students and researchers in the Institute. We support multiple startups and established companies in their testing and integration needs, and we are the first O-RAN Open Testing and Integration Center (OTIC) to have released a certificate in North America. We are looking for multiple Research Engineer (RE) roles who can lead and support research activities across the center, working with faculty, researchers, and students to rethink software, hardware, and systems for cellular networks. The REs will support federal, state, and industry funded research programs on programmable cellular networks, Open RAN, spectrum sharing, channel modeling and emulation, network automation, among others. This role involves activities related to software and system development, testbed management and maintenance, experimental research and field trials, testing and integration, and/or RF engineering. The REs will maintain and enrich the center documentation and develop training programs to involve new personnel, Ph.D., master, and undergraduate students in Open6G activities. REs will also be involved in supporting our contributions to the O-RAN and AI-RAN Alliances. Successful candidates have deep knowledge of cellular systems, 3GPP, open RAN, software development for automation, embedded systems, and/or RF equipment, and system engineering. Knowledge of AI and system support for AI solutions is a plus. The REs will work in and coordinate with a multi-disciplinary, heterogeneous team, but also lead of specific project features and tasks toward their complete implementation. We are excited to look for our future colleagues in this research journey toward open, programmable, and intelligent cellular networks.

Requirements

Applicant must have at a minimum a MS in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering or equivalent and (3) three years or more of experience with progressively more responsible, independent engineering work; or a Ph.D. with demonstrated R&D experience
Development experience with bash scripting and Python, and/or embedded development (C/C++/etc)
Knowledge on cellular systems, 3GPP, open RAN
Knowledge of Linux environments, Kubernetes, system configuration (e.g., for servers, networking equipment)

Nice To Haves

Experience with at least one among (i) Keysight and VIAVI equipment and software; (ii) RF testing; (iii) Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment frameworks (CI/CD) such as Jenkins and Ansible; (iv) wireless testbeds and related instruments (e.g., software-defined radios); (v) AI and system support for AI solutions

Responsibilities

Lead and support research activities across the center
Work with faculty, researchers, and students to rethink software, hardware, and systems for cellular networks
Support federal, state, and industry funded research programs on programmable cellular networks, Open RAN, spectrum sharing, channel modeling and emulation, network automation, among others
Activities related to software and system development, testbed management and maintenance, experimental research and field trials, testing and integration, and/or RF engineering
Maintain and enrich the center documentation
Develop training programs to involve new personnel, Ph.D., master, and undergraduate students in Open6G activities
Involved in supporting our contributions to the O-RAN and AI-RAN Alliances
Work in and coordinate with a multi-disciplinary, heterogeneous team, but also lead of specific project features and tasks toward their complete implementation