Job Description

Led by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL), announced in October 2022, will give the UK the cutting-edge technology to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of 5G, and grow our brilliant telecoms sector by bringing in new entrants to diversify the supply chain market.

Successful candidates will have a unique experience working on or supporting the latest ground-breaking cyber security and networking technologies on a national and international scale. This opportunity will allow those involved to have first-hand exposure to the latest technologies via the research and development that we are undertaking to secure our telecommunications networks, in order to keep the UK the safest place to live and do business online.

As a trusted and independent national capability, the UKTL will interact at the intersection of standards bodies, such as 3GPP, the National Cyber Security Centre and the wider UK intelligence community, academia, Ofcom, as well as Communications Service Providers and telecommunication equipment vendors.

Lab staff will prepare the lab environment, set up the equipment and tools, support testing activities and provide advice where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities:

Example responsibilities of this role include:

• Maintain and develop UKTL lab capability (processes and test networks, etc.) to enable security and interoperability testing and research.
• Assimilate vendor product information and technology requirements to plan and develop installation plans to meet the UKTL evaluation schedule.
• Manage laboratory assets and documentation from delivery, through operation to disposal.
• Drive good practice - ensuring the Lab\'s community follows processes around fault management, change management and configuration management.
• Integrate and configure new hardware and software to the UKTL\'s telecoms networks including managing dependencies and configuration.
• Support security and interoperability testing activities, and configure or create test environments whilst ensuring any booking conflicts are managed.
• Continuously develop knowledge of industry leading and bespoke UKTL test tools to support innovative and evolving test scenarios.

We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.

About You

Examples of technical skills, knowledge and experience, including:

• Experience in working in or operating a test lab network environment.
• Understanding of information systems and end-to-end telecoms networks, covering RAN, 3GPP core, fixed broadband and alternative access networks etc.
• Understanding of network operations, optical and general IP networking, server maintenance, virtualisation, containerisation and orchestration.
• Network design/configuration experience.
• Server provisioning and installation skills.
• Zero-touch and lights-out-management admin experience.
• Experience in managing a large number of servers in a "server farm", including vulnerability management, configuration automation, routine maintenance and handling part replacements.
• Enterprise networking experience including understanding of BGP, VXLAN, LACP, etc.
• Knowledge or experience with technical implementation of security controls, including their limitations and drawbacks.
• Experience of managing changes in a controlled environment.
• Experience of operating a fault management system including understanding of defects and faults.
• Understanding or experience of working within an RF environment including RF safety.
• Relevant professional / academic qualifications or equivalent experience / work based learning (i.e. apprenticeship).

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. To work in this role, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.

About Us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.

NPL and BEIS 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. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we\'re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of . Our are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.

To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we\'re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please

National Physical Laboratory