Forward Deployment Engineer - Senior - 5G/6G/NTN

Keysight is a mission-critical design enablement partner for organizations solving the world’s most complex engineering challenges. With deep engineering expertise and leading design, emulation, and test solutions, our ~16,800 employees help customers in over 100 countries accelerate innovation across communications, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace and defense, semiconductor, and artificial intelligence markets. Learn more

At Keysight, people come together to explore new ideas, challenge what's possible, and advance the technologies defining the future. Here, you'll find opportunities to do your best work, take your career further, and thrive in an Learn more

About the Role

Keysight is seeking a highly skilled Wireless Software Engineer with deep wireless protocol expertise to join our Forward Deployment Engineer team. The individual will work at the forefront of 5G-Advanced and next-generation wireless technologies. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex protocol challenges, developing production-quality software, and collaborating directly with leading wireless technology companies.

You will work closely with customer engineering teams and Keysight R&D to develop, customize, integrate, and optimize software solutions used in the development of next-generation wireless systems. Unlike traditional support or deployment roles, you will actively contribute code, debug protocol stack behavior, build software features, and drive technical solutions that influence both customer products and Keysight technology roadmaps.

This is a highly development-focused role requiring strong software engineering expertise and deep knowledge of 3GPP wireless protocols. Successful candidates will be comfortable investigating issues across multiple protocol layers, performing root-cause analysis, modifying production code, and developing software enhancements that directly address customer and product requirements. You will have the opportunity to influence both customer solutions and future Keysight product capabilities by translating field challenges into product enhancements, software innovations, and new technical approaches.

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, and enhance software features within wireless communication systems and protocol stacks.
• Develop production-quality software in C/C++ and Python for Linux-based environments.
• Analyze and debug complex issues across Layer 1 (PHY), Layer 2 (MAC/RLC/PDCP), and Layer 3 (RRC/NAS) protocols.
• Investigate and troubleshoot issues across the full protocol stack, including areas outside your primary domain expertise, collaborating with development teams to drive root-cause resolution.
• Diagnose and resolve complex issues encountered during customer deployments, integrations, and performance optimization activities.
• Modify existing software and develop new code to address customer-specific requirements and technical challenges.
• Develop APIs, software tools, automation frameworks, and diagnostics that improve development productivity and system visibility.
• Analyze signaling logs, traces, packet captures, performance metrics, and timing behavior to identify root causes of system issues.
• Build prototypes and rapidly validate new features and protocol enhancements.
• Enhance existing Keysight software through feature development, performance improvements, and customer-driven innovations.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to software quality, maintainability, and engineering best practices.
• Develop a deep understanding of Keysight software architecture, feature implementation, and protocol stack behavior to effectively diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Collaborate closely with Keysight R&D teams to translate field findings into product improvements, software enhancements, and new capabilities.
• Lead technical discussions with customers and provide guidance on protocol implementation, system architecture, and performance optimization.
• Contribute to software releases, validation activities, and deployment of new features into customer development environments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 6 to 7 years of experience in software development for wireless communication systems.
• Strong software development experience in C/C++ and Python.
• Experience developing software in Linux environments.
• Solid understanding of 4G LTE, 5G NR, or 5G-Advanced technologies.
• Deep understanding of 3GPP protocols across Layers 1-3, particularly RRC and NAS.
• Hands-on software development experience within one or more wireless protocol stack layers, including PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, or NAS.
• Proven experience as an R&D, platform, systems, or protocol-stack development engineer with demonstrated ownership of software design, implementation, debugging, and maintenance.
• Experience investigating and troubleshooting complex software and protocol issues across multiple layers of the wireless stack.
• Strong root-cause analysis and debugging skills using logs, traces, packet captures, signaling analysis, performance metrics, and software debugging tools.
• Familiarity with 3GPP specifications and wireless protocol implementation.
• Strong understanding of software architecture and development processes, with the ability to understand, modify, and extend existing codebases.
• Experience participating in code reviews and working within collaborative software development environments.
• Ability to design, develop, test, and deliver production-quality software.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate combines deep wireless protocol expertise with strong hands-on software development skills and a demonstrated ability to design, implement, debug, and enhance production software systems. They enjoy solving difficult technical problems, working directly with cutting-edge customers, and collaborating with R&D teams to deliver innovative solutions. This role is best suited for engineers with strong software development and protocol-stack implementation experience who enjoy combining product development with customer-facing technical problem solving.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with modem software, protocol stack development, wireless infrastructure, device testing, or network simulation platforms.
• Experience with embedded software, real-time systems, or firmware development.
• Experience developing software tools, automation frameworks, and APIs.
• Knowledge of wireless test and measurement systems.
• Experience working directly with customers on complex technical projects.
• Experience leading technical investigations and cross-functional engineering efforts.
• Exposure to 5G-Advanced, NTN, Open RAN, or emerging 6G technologies.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Develop software that directly impacts next-generation wireless technologies.
• Work alongside leading wireless device manufacturers, chipset vendors, and infrastructure providers.
• Solve complex protocol and software challenges spanning the full wireless stack.
• Influence product direction through direct collaboration with customers and Keysight R&D teams.
• Combine deep software engineering with cutting-edge wireless technology innovation.
• Own technical problems from investigation through code implementation and deployment.
• Help shape future product capabilities by translating real-world customer challenges into software solutions and product enhancements.

Travel Requirement: Up to 50% travel to local client sites. Occasional international travel may also be required.

Other Information

This position is on-site in San Diego, California
Relocation is available for this position

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position

The level of role will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below:

California Pay Range: MIN $134,950.00 -MID $179,930.00 - MAX $224,920.00

Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region

Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.

US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

- Medical, dental and vision

- Health Savings Account

- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

- Life, Accident, Disability insurance

- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health

- 401(k) Plan

- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays

- Paid Family Leave

- Discounts, Perks

- Tuition Reimbursement

- Adoption Assistance

- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)

#LI-CS1