Network Engineer (4G/5G Core Network)

Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Network Engineer(s) with strong expertise in 4G/5G core networking technologies to support testing, deployment, optimization, and upgrade activities in a complex telecommunications environment. This is a long-term consulting engagement requiring collaboration with engineering teams, participation in network testing initiatives, production deployment support, and network design consultations. The ideal candidate will possess deep knowledge of 4G/5G core technologies, cloud-native networking, network virtualization, and advanced routing protocols. The engineer will work PST business hours and partner closely with project stakeholders to ensure successful delivery and operational excellence. Candidate must also be available to travel to the US once per quarter. Location LATAM (Remote): Brazil, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Mexico (in that order of preference). Must be able to work Pacific Standard Time business hours. About Us: Abstra is a fast-growing, Nearshore Tech Talent services company, providing top Latin American tech talent to U.S. companies and beyond. Founded by U.S.-bred engineers with over 15 years of experience, Abstra specializes in sourcing skilled professionals across a wide range of technologies to meet our clients’ needs, driving innovation and efficiency. Key Responsibilities Support lab and production testing activities for core network technologies. Execute and document network testing plans, reporting findings and recommendations. Participate in customer and stakeholder meetings to understand testing objectives and operational requirements. Design and implement lab upgrades, network enhancements, and new feature deployments. Develop migration guides and support lab-to-production transition activities. Provide technical consultation on network architecture, scalability, resiliency, performance, and Quality of Service (QoS). Support network change management activities, including impact analysis and implementation reviews. Assist with troubleshooting and production deployment support during major network changes. Participate in recurring technical meetings and service reviews. Create and maintain technical documentation, test reports, migration guides, and operational deliverables. Provide knowledge transfer and informal technical training when required. Required Technical Skills 4G/5G Wireless & Core Network Expertise Deep understanding of 4G and 5G technologies. Strong knowledge of: 3GPP / 3GPP2 standards 5G Standalone (SA) and Non-Standalone (NSA) architectures Service-Based Architecture (SBA) Service Mesh Network Functions: AMF SMF UPF PCF Network slicing VPP Data modeling techniques including fragmentation, peer-to-peer (P2P), and content filtering. Cloud-Native & Virtualization Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI). Virtualization technologies. Cloud-native networking deployments. Hands-on experience with: Kubernetes Docker OpenShift Microservices architectures. Networking Fundamentals Strong Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking experience, including: BGP BFD IS-IS OSPF Static routing. Automation & Systems Engineering Network test automation experience. Python 3 development/scripting. Unix/Linux administration. Shell scripting. Performance testing and scaling expertise. System engineering experience. Understanding of telecom call models and network performance optimization. Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting large-scale telecommunications or service provider environments. Experience with network migrations and production deployment support. Strong documentation and communication skills. Experience working directly with engineering, operations, and customer-facing teams. Prior experience supporting 5G core network deployments and troubleshooting. Candidate Profile We are looking for engineers who can demonstrate: Hands-on 4G/5G core networking experience. Strong cloud-native networking expertise. Advanced routing and network troubleshooting capabilities. Production support and deployment experience. Ability to work independently in a remote environment while collaborating across global teams. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Looking for candidates with recent, hands-on experience supporting 4G/5G core network technologies, not just traditional enterprise networking experience. Travel & Eligibility Requirements Must be able and willing to travel to the United States as needed for project-related activities. Expected travel may include occasional onsite visits (approximately once per quarter) for planning sessions, testing activities, deployments, workshops, or team collaboration. Must possess a current, valid passport with sufficient validity for international travel. Must be able to obtain any required travel documentation and meet all entry requirements for U.S. business travel. Ability to travel with reasonable notice when business needs require onsite support. What We Offer: Flexible working hours and remote work options. Opportunities for professional growth and development. A collaborative and inclusive work environment. The chance to work on impactful projects with a talented team. Excellent compensation in USD. Hardware and software setup (mandatory). Pre-Employment Verification As part of our standard onboarding process, candidates who successfully complete the interview process and accept an employment offer will be required to complete an employment verification check, and background check. This process will confirm job titles and dates of employment with two previous employers and is a standard requirement for all new employees joining the company.