Sr. Staff RAN Operations Engineer - NTN / IoT

About Skylo

Skylo is a global Non-Terrestrial Network service provider based in Mountain View, CA, offering a service that allows smartphone and IoT cellular devices to connect directly over existing satellites. 

Skylo’s direct-to-device service is now live on millions of activated devices across five continents, with more than 60 million square kilometers of coverage, in partnership with multiple satellite operators, mobile network operators (MNOs), Tier-1 chipset makers, and OEMs. Devices connected over satellite are managed and served by Skylo's commercial NTN vRAN, featuring a 3GPP standards-based cloud-native base station and core. Skylo provides anywhere, anytime connectivity solution that seamlessly roams between terrestrial and satellite networks. Our focus is on enabling connected services for people outdoors and connected workflows across three main verticals: mass-market consumer devices, automotive, and industrial IoT.

This role is located in Espoo, Finland where we are onsite 3 days a week in office. 

Summary Of How You Will Impact Skylo

Skylo is hiring a Sr. Staff RAN Operations Engineer to help fulfill Skylo’s mission of making satellite connectivity available to all. As the production authority for RAN health and performance across Skylo’s NTN network, you will evolve our Network Operations from reactive monitoring to service-centric assurance. This is a live-network, SLA-protecting role focused on defining RAN KPIs, leading production optimization, and acting as the Level-3 authority during customer impacting incidents.

How You Will Contribute  

• RAN KPI Ownership: Define and refine service-aligned RAN KPIs (Attach success,
  RRC behavior, RF integrity) to ensure actionable detection for L2 teams.
• Production Optimization: Lead parameter tuning and beam-level performance
  improvements for the live NTN RAN, ensuring safe execution via Change Management.
• AI/ML Integration: Apply Machine Learning models to the operation and optimization
  of the wireless network to drive predictive maintenance and automated performance
  tuning.
• NTN Performance Engineering: Manage unique satellite physics, including Doppler
  compensation and large propagation delays, to optimize 3GPP timers and HARQ
  processes.
• Level 3 Technical Support: Serve as the final escalation point for production incidents,
  performing deep root cause analysis using eNodeB/gNodeB logs and RF telemetry.
• NetOps Enablement: Translate complex RAN behaviors into operational runbooks and
  mentor L2 engineers on pattern recognition and degradation indicators.
• Operational Standards: Author and maintain MOPs (Methods of Procedure) and RAN
  operational standards for cloud-native base stations.
  

What We Look For 

• Education: Master’s or PhD-level degree (or equivalent professional experience) in
  Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or Computer Science.
•  Experience: 12+ years in RAN engineering and operations, specifically with LTE/5G
  (3GPP) and live production networks.
• Advanced Analytics: Proven experience with the application of Machine Learning to
  the operation and optimization of wireless telecom networks.
• NTN Expertise: Deep knowledge of satellite-specific challenges, including link budget
  sensitivity and timing/synchronization (GNSS/Octoclock).
• Cloud-Native Proficiency: Experience with containerized RAN (Kubernetes/Docker) and modern observability stacks (Prometheus, Grafana, or ELK).
• Systems & Tools: Proficiency in Linux, Cloud platforms (GCP preferred), and RAN
  protocol analysis tools.
• Global Collaboration: Proven ability to work across time zones (Silicon Valley, Nordic,
  and South Asia) to maintain 24/7 network integrity.

What We Offer

With employees working across three continents, Skylo is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Our worldwide and inclusive culture encourages a flexible approach to work, and we also offer an attractive range benefits such as: 

• Competitive compensation packages including a stock option based equity program 
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plan
• Monthly allowances for wellness and education reimbursement
• A generous time off policy, holidays, and the opportunity to temporarily work abroad
• Once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of developing and running world’s first commercial, live direct-to-device satellite network and service 
• Access to world-class team and talent across tech domains: software, hardware, chipsets, telecom, satellite and network virtualization 
• Open, transparent, inclusive culture that blends the Silicon Valley, Nordic and South Asia characteristics

EEO Statement
Skylo is an equal-opportunity employer and we celebrate diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, parent or caregiver status, political affiliation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. Please let us know if you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability.