C Programmer / Telecom Protocol Engineer – 3GPP
Contract: 6 months, with potential for extension
Location: Farnborough, UK – Client Site
Work Arrangement: Hybrid but on-site as required
Eligibility: Candidates must already be based in the UK and be able to work from the Farnborough client site.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced C Programmer / Telecom Protocol Engineer to support a client project based in Farnborough. The successful candidate will combine strong software development expertise in C with practical knowledge of telecommunications networks, signalling and 3GPP standards .
This role will involve developing and enhancing telecom software, investigating complex protocol and software issues, and supporting integration and testing activities within a telecommunications environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, maintain and enhance telecommunications software using C .
- Analyse, troubleshoot and resolve complex software and protocol-related issues.
- Work with telecom signalling protocols, network interfaces and communication technologies.
- Review 3GPP specifications and translate technical requirements into software implementations.
- Contribute across the full development lifecycle, including design, coding, debugging, unit testing and integration testing.
- Investigate software defects, conduct root-cause analysis and implement appropriate fixes.
- Support software integration, system testing and deployment within telecom/network environments.
- Collaborate closely with client engineering teams and other technical stakeholders on-site.
- Produce and maintain relevant technical and engineering documentation.
- Participate in technical discussions and contribute to continuous improvement of software and development processes.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong commercial experience developing software using C .
- Solid understanding of telecommunications and mobile network architecture .
- Practical knowledge of 3GPP standards and protocols across 3G, 4G/LTE and/or 5G.
- Experience working with telecom signalling protocols and network interfaces.
- Strong analytical, debugging and problem-solving capabilities.
- Hands-on experience working in Linux/Unix environments .
- Good understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP .
- Experience with software development lifecycle processes, version control and defect/issue management.
- Ability to interpret complex technical specifications and convert requirements into robust software solutions.
Desirable Skills
- Experience programming in C++ .
- Knowledge of 4G/LTE and/or 5G Core and RAN technologies .
- Exposure to telecom protocols/interfaces such as SIP, Diameter, GTP, SCTP, NGAP, S1AP and NAS .
- Experience working with protocol stacks, signalling platforms or real-time telecommunications applications .
- Understanding of multi-threaded, concurrent or distributed software systems .
- Scripting experience using Python and/or Shell .
- Previous experience working for or directly with a telecom operator, network equipment vendor or client engineering team .
