Sr. 3GPP RAN Standardization Engineer

About the role

SpaceX is on the lookout for a seasoned professional specializing in 3GPP Radio Access Network (RAN) to spearhead the company's engagement in global standardization efforts. This position entails active involvement in 3GPP meetings, where the successful candidate will help shape the standards for both 5G and the upcoming 6G technologies. The role requires a blend of extensive technical expertise and adept diplomatic skills to effectively represent SpaceX's interests and ensure that internal engineering initiatives are in sync with international advancements.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Act as the leading technical authority for SpaceX within the 3GPP RAN2 and RAN3 Working Groups, ensuring the company's voice is heard in critical discussions.
• Develop, present, and advocate for company proposals that align emerging standards with both product and regulatory goals.
• Foster and maintain strong relationships with other members of 3GPP, including telecom operators, chipset manufacturers, and regulatory organizations.
• Prepare and deliver technical contributions on key topics such as 5G/6G New Radio (NR), Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), RAN architecture, and spectrum management.
• Conduct in-depth technical evaluations for Working Group discussions, focusing on aspects like mobility features, signaling protocols, and ASN.1 maintenance.
• Participate in internal design reviews, translating the outcomes of 3GPP meetings into actionable engineering requirements.
• Keep track of standardization timelines, including the progress of Study Items and Work Items, as well as Release planning (e.g., Releases 20 and 21).
• Provide concise summaries of 3GPP meeting outcomes to internal stakeholders, including actionable reports and recommendations.
• Identify new opportunities for standardization, assess potential risks, and monitor competitive movements in the industry.
• Collaborate with teams in system engineering, RF design, regulatory affairs, and product management to ensure internal roadmaps are aligned with the evolution of 3GPP standards.
• Offer standards-based technical insights that support business development and partnership discussions.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in a STEM field is required.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in cellular RAN design or system architecture is essential.
• At least 4 years of experience specifically in 3GPP standardization is necessary.
• Flexibility to work extended hours when required.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time is expected.
• Candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Refugees, or Asylees, or must be eligible to obtain the necessary U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice to have

• A PhD in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline would be advantageous.
• A comprehensive understanding of 5G NR and LTE PHY/MAC/RRC layers is preferred.
• Familiarity with the latest advancements in 6G technologies, including enhancements and feature evolution.
• Knowledge of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and the integration of satellite systems within 3GPP frameworks is a plus.
• Experience with spectrum coexistence, PFD limits, RF propagation, and link budget analysis is desirable.
• Proven track record of contributing to or leading submissions within 3GPP RAN working groups is beneficial.
• Previous leadership experience in roles such as rapporteur, ad hoc chair, or company lead delegate within 3GPP or similar organizations is a plus.
• Understanding of regulatory processes from ITU-R, ETSI, GSMA, or regional bodies would be advantageous.
• Background in satellite communications, NTN, or RF systems integration is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple contributions across various RAN Working Groups and releases is desirable.
• Experience with RAN4 Radio Resource Management (RRM) is a plus.

Skills & tools

• Proficiency in 3GPP RAN2 and RAN3
• Expertise in 5G NR and 6G technologies
• Knowledge of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)
• Familiarity with ASN.1 and LTE PHY/MAC/RRC

Practical notes

SpaceX provides a robust benefits package that includes long-term incentives such as stock options and cash awards, along with discretionary bonuses. Employees can participate in an Employee Stock Purchase Plan and receive comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage. Additional benefits include a 401(k) plan, disability and life insurance, paid parental leave, and various employee discounts. Employees also enjoy 3 weeks of paid vacation, at least 10 paid holidays each year, and paid sick leave.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.