Wireless Protocol Software Engineer – Layer 2

Overview Keysight is at the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do. Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers. Keysight is looking for a recent graduate (MSc or PhD) in Telecommunications Engineering to join our R&D team as a Wireless Protocol Software Engineer focused on Layer 2 (L2). This is an excellent opportunity to start your career working on cutting-edge 5G and emerging 6G technologies, contributing to real-world implementations of 3GPP protocol stacks used in advanced wireless test and emulation platforms. You will work alongside experienced engineers in a collaborative, multi-site international environment, gaining hands-on experience in designing and developing high-performance protocol software. Responsibilities Contribute to the design, development, and testing of Layer 2 protocol stack components: MAC (Medium Access Control) RLC (Radio Link Control) PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) Support development of UE and base station (gNB) emulation solutions Analyze and implement features from 3GPP LTE and 5G NR specifications Assist in translating requirements into: Clean and maintainable code Test cases and validation scenarios Collaborate with cross-functional teams (systems, RF, protocol, software) to: Investigate and debug protocol behavior Support issue analysis and resolution Participate in continuous learning of evolving standards and technologies (5G Advanced, pre-6G) Qualifications Required Qualifications MSc or PhD in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field Strong theoretical knowledge of wireless communications and 3GPP LTE / 5G NR Understanding of Layer 2 protocols (MAC, RLC, PDCP) from coursework, thesis, or research Programming skills in C or C++ Basic knowledge of: Multithreading or concurrent programming Software development practices and debugging Analytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills Good communication skills in English Preferred Qualifications Hands-on experience (academic projects, internship, or thesis) in: Wireless protocol implementation or simulation Network emulation or system-level modeling Familiarity with: Linux development environment Version control systems (e.g., Git) Debugging or protocol analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark) Exposure to: O-RAN concepts or modern network architectures Scripting languages (e.g., Python) Tools & Technologies (You Will Learn and Use) Git �
� JIRA Wireshark Debugging tools (e.g., Valgrind) CI/CD and modern development workflows

What We Offer
Opportunity to work on real 5G and future 6G systems Mentorship from experienced protocol and system engineers Exposure to industry standards (3GPP) and real implementations A collaborative and international R&D environment Clear growth path toward technical expertise or leadership roles Ideal Candidate Profile Passion for wireless technologies and protocol design Strong learning agility and curiosity Motivation to bridge theory and real-world systems Interest in building high-performance, production-quality software Salary Range (Italy): €38,780 – €64,630 gross annual CCNL: Terziario, Distribuzione e Servizi (CCNL Commercio) While posted at a specific level, this role may be filled at a different level based on the selected candidate's experience and qualifications. Compensation will be aligned with the final level of the role. Careers Privacy Statement*Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.*