Transport & RAN Synchronisation Engineer

Transport & RAN Synchronisation Engineer

First Point Group  European Economic Area (Remote)

Transport & RAN Synchronisation Engineer

6 month extendable contract

Fully remote based

We are seeking an experienced Transport & RAN Synchronisation Engineer to support network evolution and optimisation activities for a Tier 1 UK telecommunications operator. This role sits at the intersection of transport and radio access networks, focusing on the delivery, configuration, validation and optimisation of network synchronisation across 4G and 5G environments.

Working within a multi-vendor ecosystem comprising Nokia and Ericsson technologies, the successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring accurate network timing and synchronisation to support advanced radio features, network performance and service reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct network audits across transport and synchronisation domains, including Layer 1, Layer 2, GNSS/GPS, SyncE and PTP.
• Produce and implement Low-Level Designs (LLDs) based on approved High-Level Designs (HLDs).
• Configure and optimise RAN synchronisation parameters at managed object (MO) level, primarily within Nokia environments.
• Support feature deployment and validation activities across multi-vendor networks:
• Nokia – execute and validate features against existing designs.
• Ericsson – develop design inputs and support feature validation activities.
• Prepare, coordinate and execute feature trials and validation programmes.
• Update site parameter workbooks and engineering documentation to support Radio Engineering teams.
• Troubleshoot synchronisation-related issues and support resolution activities across transport and RAN domains.

Skills & Knowledge Required

RAN Synchronisation

Strong understanding of synchronisation principles within 4G and 5G mobile networks, including:

• Frequency synchronisation
• Phase synchronisation
• Time synchronisation
• TDD network timing requirements and alignment

Timing Technologies

Hands-on experience with:

• GNSS / GPS timing solutions
• Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE)
• Precision Time Protocol (PTP / IEEE 1588v2)
• Network Time Protocol (NTP)

Transport Networks

Good working knowledge of:

• Ethernet (Layer 2)
• IP/MPLS networks (Layer 3)
• Microwave transmission and backhaul networks

Radio Access Networks

Experience with:

• Nokia AirScale / SRAN platforms (essential)
• Ericsson RAN solutions (desirable)
• RAN parameter configuration and optimisation
• Synchronisation architectures including GNSS, SyncE, PTP and hybrid deployments

Engineering & Design

• Ability to interpret and implement Low-Level Designs (LLDs).
• Experience working with engineering documentation, parameter workbooks and design governance processes.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.

Experience Required

• Approximately 5+ years' experience within telecommunications engineering.
• Proven experience across transport, synchronisation and/or RAN engineering environments.
• Hands-on involvement in 4G and 5G deployments across both FDD and TDD networks.
• Experience implementing, validating and troubleshooting synchronisation solutions.
• Background working within multi-vendor network environments.
• Experience conducting network audits, testing and validation activities.

Feature Validation Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience validating radio features that rely on highly accurate network synchronisation.

Examples include:

Interference Management & Coordination

• ICIC / eICIC
• Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP)

Capacity & Performance Features

• Carrier Aggregation
• Massive MIMO
• Beamforming

Positioning & Timing Services

• OTDOA

Broadcast & Multicast Services

• eMBMS

TDD Network Operation

• Uplink/Downlink slot alignment
• Frame timing alignment
• Guard period optimisation

5G Advanced Features

• Flexible numerology
• Slot scheduling
• Synchronisation Signal Block (SSB) alignment
• Dynamic TDD
• Interference mitigation and coordination

Candidates should also have experience validating:

• Timing accuracy at microsecond and nanosecond levels.
• Network behaviour during synchronisation degradation or loss scenarios.
• Holdover performance and fallback mechanisms following GNSS outages or timing source failures.
• End-to-end synchronisation performance across transport and RAN domains.