Senior 3GPP RAN Standardization Engineer

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Palo Alto, CA
Salary
$170,000–$230,000 / yr
Posted
89 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live yesterday

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $170k
This role $200k
$124k $241k
below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 74% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$202,500 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $200k versus about $170k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

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About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.

SpaceX currently has 796 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 555 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior 3GPP RAN Standardization Engineer

The Sr. 3GPP RAN Standardization Engineer will serve as the technical expert within the 3GPP Radio Access Network working groups. This role involves participating in international meetings to drive contributions for 5G and 6G standards, specifically focusing on Non-Terrestrial Networks, spectrum evolution, network architecture, and physical layer design. The engineer will draft technical contributions, perform signaling and protocol analysis for control and user planes, maintain ASN.1 for internal requirements, and translate 3GPP outcomes into actionable engineering requirements. Key technical skills include deep knowledge of 5G NR and LTE PHY/MAC/RRC layers, RF propagation, link budgets, and satellite integration. The position solves the complex problem of aligning emerging global telecommunications standards with internal product goals and regulatory requirements for satellite-based mobile networks.

What you'll do

  • Act as the company’s subject matter expert within the 3GPP RAN2 and RAN3 Working Groups.
  • Present, negotiate, and defend company contributions to ensure emerging standards align with product and regulatory goals.
  • Draft and submit technical contributions on 5G/6G NR, NTN, RAN architecture, and spectrum bands.
  • Provide technical analysis on mobility features, signaling, protocol analysis, and ASN.1 maintenance.
  • Translate 3GPP outcomes into actionable engineering requirements through internal design reviews.
  • Track standardization timelines, Study Items, Work Items, and release planning for future generations.
  • Identify emerging standardization opportunities, risks, and competitive moves within the industry.
  • Align internal technical roadmaps with 3GPP evolution by partnering with system engineering and RF design teams.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor degree in a STEM discipline.
  • 6+ years of experience with cellular RAN design and/or system architecture.
  • 4+ years of experience working with or on 3GPP standardization.
  • Advanced degree (PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field (preferred).
  • Deep understanding of 5G NR, LTE PHY/MAC/RRC layers, 6G enhancements, NTN, and spectrum coexistence (preferred).
  • Proven experience contributing to or leading submissions within 3GPP RAN working groups (preferred).
  • Prior leadership role in a 3GPP or similar standards body (preferred).
  • U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible for Department of State authorization.

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