Software Engineer

Job Title: Sr. Software Engineer – R&D, Cloud-Native 4G/5G Networks Job Description This Sr. Software Engineer role focuses on research and development of cloud-native software as part of a product development team specializing in 5G NR and 4G LTE network products and solutions. You will design and build software for diverse hardware and software configurations that support unique customer requirements, working with virtualization platforms such as Kubernetes, Rancher, and ESXi, and developing in languages including Go and SQL. You will contribute to the management systems for telecom networks, integrating with Tier 3 networks and SIMs, and supporting charging, billing, and emerging AI use cases across large and small data centers. Responsibilities Collaborate with the R&D team to design, implement, and functionally test software products for 4G LTE and 5G NR network solutions. Work closely with R&D teams on product releases, including features, requirements, and associated test tools. Mentor and lead less experienced software engineers, providing technical guidance and support. Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders to ensure alignment on requirements, progress, and outcomes. Proactively keep technical skillsets up to date with evolving technologies, tools, and industry best practices. Manage time effectively to meet project schedules and deliverables. Take initiative in identifying improvements to software, processes, and tooling. Interact with project leaders and other team members as required to meet project schedules and milestones. Design, implement, and test software in a small, highly collaborative team environment. Create and maintain shared libraries that are used across multiple products and platforms. Develop robust multi-threaded software and apply development best practices for reliability, performance, and maintainability. Use GitLab and GitLab runners for source control, continuous integration, software builds, and trouble report management. Develop software for target Linux platforms, including services, device interactions, and multi-process applications. Implement network programming for client/server architectures and web server applications using HTML and server-side languages such as PHP, Node.js, or Go. Design relational database schemas, create and execute SQL programmatically, and optimize database performance for long-term scalability. Configure, integrate, and design solutions using virtualization technologies such as VMware ESXi, virtual machines, containers, and other virtual environments. Contribute to the management system for telecom networks, integrating with Tier 3 networks and SIMs to support network management, charging, billing, and AI-related functionality. Support initiatives to integrate AI into larger network architectures and data centers, working on use cases involving big data and network traffic. Collaborate on studies and efforts to migrate from existing VMware/ESXi deployments to modern cloud-native platforms. Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose issues, propose solutions, and deliver high-quality software under deadlines. Work with minimal supervision while contributing effectively to a team-oriented environment. Maintain clear and effective written and oral communication to express ideas and exchange information within the R&D organization. Travel domestically and internationally as needed, generally less than 10%, to support projects, deployments, or customer engagements. Essential Skills Bachelor’s degree (BS) in a relevant field. 10–12+ years of experience in software development. Proven ability to work in a small team designing, implementing, and testing software products. Strong experience developing software for target Linux platforms. Excellent knowledge of C, C++, Java, and Go for Linux-based systems. Experience creating and maintaining shared libraries across multiple products and platforms. Extensive experience with multi-threaded development and adherence to development best practices. Strong hands-on experience with GitLab and GitLab runners for source control and CI/CD. Solid experience working within Agile/Scrum methodologies. Experience with at least one of the following development tools: CLion or Android Studio. Excellent understanding of Linux platforms, permission models, and multi-process concepts. Experience installing, managing, and developing Linux services. Experience in at least one of the following: Go, Angular, or Rust development for target Linux platforms. Strong network programming skills with client/server architecture experience. Excellent knowledge of web server application development using HTML and one or more server-side languages such as PHP, Node.js, or Go. 2–3+ years of relational database experience, including designing data tables, creating and executing SQL programmatically, and coding for long-term database performance. Good knowledge of virtual machines, containers, and virtual environments such as VMware ESXi and Kubernetes. Good understanding of client/server architectures. Good understanding of IP networks. Good breadth of telecommunications technologies. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality results. Ability to work with minimal supervision while contributing effectively in a team environment. Effective communication skills, both written and oral. Fluency in English. Ability to build and manage complex partnerships and relationships associated with R&D projects. Proficiency with Linux, PCs, workstations, and mobile devices. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Ability and willingness to travel less than 10% as part of the role. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience developing software for telecommunications systems is a plus. Good knowledge of wireless technologies and related protocols such as NR, LTE, and GSM is advantageous. Modern Android development experience is a plus. Experience with device driver development is a plus. Understanding of peer-to-peer encryption is a plus. Understanding of information assurance requirements on products is a plus. Experience with backend databases such as MariaDB and other open-source data platforms, including technologies like Redpanda or KSQL, is beneficial. Industry experience in telecommunications is preferred but not required. Experience with Kubernetes (K8s), Rancher, and other cloud-native virtualization platforms is highly valued. Experience with AI-related projects, especially integrating AI into network management, charging, billing, and big data use cases, is a strong plus. Exposure to cyber security concepts and practices in networked environments is desirable. Experience working with large and small data centers and integrating AI into larger network infrastructures is beneficial. Ability to be legally authorized to work in the United States. Willingness and ability to obtain a security clearance if required. Work Environment You will work within an R&D product development team of approximately 10–12 software engineers in a collaborative, small-team environment. The role focuses on cloud-native telecom network solutions using technologies such as Kubernetes, Rancher, VMware ESXi, virtual machines, containers, and Linux-based platforms. Daily work involves modern development tools (e.g., CLion, Android Studio), GitLab for source control and CI/CD, and a mix of programming languages including C, C++, Java, Go, Angular, and Rust, as well as web technologies like HTML, PHP, and Node.js. You will interact regularly with project leaders and peers to meet project schedules, and you will support deployments across large and small data centers. The environment emphasizes Agile/Scrum practices, continuous learning, and proactive skill development. Travel requirements are modest, generally less than 10%, with occasional opportunities for international travel based on project needs. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of The Colony, TX. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $86.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in The Colony,TX. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools. Actalent