Contract Network Engineer

Contract Core Network Engineer

United States (Remote — Eastern/Central time zone preferred)

Open hourly rate

6-month initial contract (potential to extend or convert to hire)

Remote, Eastern or Central time zone preferred

A space & defense company needs a Core Network Engineer to backfill a teammate going on leave, starting immediately. The focus is 4G/5G core and 3GPP standards, with the core delivered by a vendor and integrated into the company's own network.

The vendor owns the core; you'll own testing, troubleshooting and requirement conversations with them. This is a high-level networking role — deep certifications aren't required, just solid hands-on core experience.

What You'll Be Doing

• Step into an active core network effort, backfilling a teammate on leave.
• Test and troubleshoot core network elements and services from design through deployment.
• Define feature requirements directly with the core network vendor.
• Support integration between the vendor-delivered core and the company's own RAN (gNodeB/eNodeB).

What You'll Need

• Hands-on experience with 4G/5G core networks and 3GPP standards.
• Comfortable testing, troubleshooting and defining feature requirements with vendors.
• Working knowledge of RAN integration (gNodeB/eNodeB) — not the primary focus.
• High-level networking expertise; no deep certifications required.
• Able to start immediately and work Eastern or Central time zone hours.
• US-based and eligible to work on ITAR-controlled programs

Nice to have

• Background at a major telecom operator or vendor (Nokia, Ericsson, Mavenir).
• Prior contract or independent consulting work — you land and add value fast.

InterestedClick apply with an updated copy of your resume. I'll come back to you within 48 hours. If you don't hear back within 48 hours, please assume you haven't been successful on this occasion.