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) - 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) 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:
- 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) - 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 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.

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StatementKeysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

📌 Wireless Protocol Software Engineer – Layer 2 (MAC, RLC, PDCP) (Milano)
🏢 Keysight Technologies
📍 Milano