Cellular DevOps Engineer

Cellular DevOps EngineerOur Fortune 500 client in Menlo Park, CA is looking for hardworking, motivated talent to join their innovative team.Position Title: Cellular DevOps EngineerDuration: 6+ months with high possibilities of extensionOnsite: Menlo Park California 94025Pay Range: $80-90/hrTeam Network Infrastructure & Labs - Cellular ConnectivityRole Overview:We are seeking a Cellular-DevOps Engineer to join our Wearables Cellular team within Engineering Labs. This role sits at the intersection of public and private 5G/LTE cellular network engineering and DevOps automation, supporting the development and testing of next-generation wearable devices with cellular connectivity.You will be responsible for building, operating, and automating the infrastructure that enables end-to-end cellular testing - from RF signal path optimization and modem provisioning to CI/CD pipeline integration and automated IP management services. This is a hands-on engineering role that requires both hardware lab familiarity and strong software/automation skills.Key Responsibilities:Cellular & RF Engineering (40%)Private 5G/LTE Network Operations: Configure and maintain small-cell/callbox infrastructure supporting NR SA, LTE, and NR-RedCap across multiple frequency bands (n2, n5, n25, n66, B2, B5, B66)RF Signal Path Management: Optimize RSRP/RSRQ/SINR measurements in shielded test environments; troubleshoot signal path issues including cabling, attenuation, and antenna configurationDevice Modem Provisioning: Manage modem calibration file provisioning, EFS (Embedded File System) operations, QMI/DIAG interfaces, and modem mode configurationCellular E2E Test Execution: Run and validate NR attach/detach cycles, data path verification (ping/DNS/iperf3), GNSS integration, and multi-RAT connectivity scenariosHardware Lab Operations: Stage and pair devices in shield boxes, manage rack equipment mapping, coordinate with callbox vendors, and maintain reference device baselines.DevOps & Automation (40%)CI/CD Pipeline Integration: Configure and maintain automated test lanes - both blocking and non-blocking - for cellular test suites within continuous integration frameworksInfrastructure-as-Code: Manage network ACLs, network configuration pushes, proxy filters, and DNS automation pipelinesService Development (Python): Build and maintain automated services such as IP management pipelines (static routing, DNS verification, asset tagging, batch processing)Database & State Management: Administer MySQL databases, schema migrations, configuration management systems, and service state storesMonitoring & Observability: Instrument services with time-series metrics, manage alerting thresholds, respond to health alerts, and track SLA complianceInventory & Asset Management: Extend and maintain device inventory systems - CLI tools, reservation workflows, and device registration pipelinesTest Framework & Tooling (20%)E2E Test Development: Author config-driven cellular E2E tests (JavaScript/Jest) covering LTE, NR SA, NR-RedCap, and attach/detach scenariosCallbox Integration Tooling: Develop and maintain Python/Thrift bridges for callbox queries and control RPCsModem Utility Libraries: Contribute to shared libraries for device-side modem management (mode switching, airplane mode, cellular measurements)Lab Network Tooling: Build and maintain lab network management features (PoE control, port management, VLAN allocation)Required Qualifications:3+ years of experience in cellular/wireless engineering, DevOps, or a combined infrastructure rolePrivate cellular network experience: Hands-on with 4G LTE and/or 5G NR - including cell planning, RF measurements (RSRP, RSRQ, SINR), and UE attach/registration flowsProgramming proficiency: Python (primary) with working knowledge of JavaScript; ability to write production services and test automationLinux systems administration: Comfortable with shell scripting, systemd services, networking (VLANs, static routing, iptables/nftables), and embedded device interaction (adb, fastboot, serial)Infrastructure automation: Experience with at least two of: CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure-as-Code, configuration management, database administration, or monitoring systemsDebugging mindset: Ability to troubleshoot across the full stack - from RF signal levels and modem firmware to service RPCs and database queries.Preferred Qualifications:Experience with Amarisoft or similar small-cell/callbox platforms (Keysight, R&S)Familiarity with Qualcomm modem tooling (QXDM, QMI, DIAG, NV item provisioning, EFS management)Exposure to wearable/IoT device development or testingExperience with Thrift/gRPC service development and service mesh architecturesKnowledge of MCTP/NCSI or other baseboard management protocolsBackground in test automation frameworks (Jest, pytest, or similar)Familiarity with network security tooling (ACL generation, firewall policy management)Experience operating shielded/anechoic test environments.What We're Looking For: Beyond technical skills, we value the following traits in candidates for this role:Quick Learner: You pick up new tools, protocols, and systems fast - whether it's a new modem chipset, a CI framework you haven't used before, or an unfamiliar RF measurement technique. You don't wait to be taught; you dig in and figure it out.Self-Starter: You identify problems and fix them without waiting for someone to assign the work. When you see a gap in automation or a flaky test, you take ownership.Comfortable with Ambiguity: This role spans hardware, software, and RF - you won't always have a playbook. You're energized (not paralyzed) by open-ended problems.Collaborative: You work across disciplines (firmware, RF, DevOps, test engineering) and communicate clearly with people who have different technical backgrounds. You share knowledge freely.Bias Toward Action: You ship incremental improvements rather than waiting for the perfect solution. You're comfortable iterating in production lab environments where speed matters.Detail-Oriented Under Pressure: RF and modem work demand precision - a wrong attenuation value or misconfigured NV item can waste hours. You double-check your work and build safeguards into your automation.What Success Looks Like (First 6 Months):Month 1-2: Onboard to the cellular lab environment; gain hands-on familiarity with the callbox infrastructure, wearable devices, and the existing test suiteMonth 2-3: Own and extend one automation pipeline (e.g., IP management or device inventory); deliver at least one improvement to reliability or throughputMonth 3-4: Author or extend a cellular E2E test covering a new band/RAT/scenario; integrate it into the CI pipeline as an automated gateMonth 4-6: Drive an infrastructure improvement end-to-end - e.g., automated modem provisioning, callbox health monitoring, or test fleet scaling.