Access Engineer

Join the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL) and play a critical role in strengthening the security, interoperability, and resilience of the UK’s telecoms ecosystem. We are looking for a skilled and inquisitive Access Engineer with strong experience in fixed and mobile access systems to support cutting‑edge testing and validation work. In this role, you’ll work across a range of telecoms technologies, supporting the integration, testing, and validation of Devices Under Test (DUTs) alongside associated systems and tools. You’ll contribute to the review of supplier designs and ensure that testing outputs are robust, well‑documented, and aligned with UKTL’s security and operational standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the review of supplier designs, and the integration, acceptance, testing, maintenance and operation of devices and systems under test.
• Build, integrate and support access Devices Under Test, including RF systems and test environments.
• Assist with Radio Access Network (RAN) installation activities, ensuring user equipment (UEs) readiness.
• Develop, document and execute test cases and test strategies, ensuring clarity on scope, limitations, and impact.
• Record and analyse test results, producing clear insights and recommendations for security, standards, and policy.
• Diagnose and resolve connectivity, hardware and software issues within test environments.
• Perform regular RF sweeps, ensuring compliance with safety thresholds and escalating where required.
• Provision and manage SIM configurations across different core network identities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure meaningful interoperability testing and sufficient coverage.
• Represent UKTL at industry and standards events, championing secure‑by‑design principles.
• Support continuous improvement of processes aligned to UKTL’s security posture.
• Coordinate cross‑team and project activities.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong knowledge of 4G/5G radio technologies, SIMs, UEs, and fixed access systems (NTN experience desirable).
• Experience with Kubernetes container environments and OpenStack-based hypervisors.
• Proficiency with test tools and environments, including administration and troubleshooting.
• Hands‑on experience in functional testing, analysis, and reporting.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with proven fault‑finding methodologies.
• Experience working in Agile environments, with sprint planning and delivery tracking.

Additional Requirements

Experience or awareness of 4G/5G core architectures and security testing techniques is desirable; we actively support upskilling and will provide training to help you build these capabilities.

Eligibility and Clearance

To work in this role, you will need to hold an SC clearance with no restrictions. Applicants may apply without already holding SC clearance, but you will not be able to start in post until the clearance has been successfully granted. Successful applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham at least twice a week.

Equal Opportunity

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work requires certain nationality, residency and security requirements. NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or age, providing they meet the required criteria. All disabled candidates who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

Benefits

We offer a wealth of above industry standard benefits, such as enhanced pension scheme, flexible working, and more.