Signal Processing Architect

NEC Corporation (“NEC”) has a worldwide network of subsidiary companies, which includes operations in Europe where NEC performs various sales, manufacturing, and R&D functions. NEC includes the Network Solutions Business Division (“NSBD”), based in Kawasaki, Japan which is responsible for the development of NEC’s mobile network infrastructure solutions.

NEC Telecom MODUS Limited (“NECTML”) provides R&D services to the NSBD to enable NEC to manufacture and deliver 5G Advanced and 6G mobile radio-communication base stations and associated switching and control systems based on international standards. Typically, almost half of the activities are development; one third applied research; one sixth standard setting and the rest other technical activities. The research and development functions include Link-Level and System-Level simulator development as well as hardware and software development.

The main activity areas of the Radio Systems Division of NECTML are the architecture, simulation, design and development of the baseband data processing aspects of the base station, as described in 3GPP Specification Groups’ description of Radio Layers 1 and 2.

NTML has developed inhouse Link Level and System Level simulators using C++. The Link Level simulator accurately models the entire transmission/reception chain between a base station (BS) and User Equipment (UE), in some cases to bit-true level. The System Level simulator uses a higher level of abstraction to model a loaded network including UE mobility, detailed environment/channel models and antenna configurations.

This position involves defining and architecting key L1/L2 signal processing blocks across NECTML’s development activities: in the Link Level and System Level simulators, in the virtualised Distributed Unit (vDU) L1/L2 software, and in the Radio Unit (RU) L1 hardware IP. It also involves helping to develop and maintain the simulation tools which are essential for many of the activities carried out by NECTML, and more widely in NEC. The role involves the identification (from the 3GPP RAN1/RAN2 specifications), design and implementation of new features within the simulators (particularly relating to New Radio (NR)) and contributing to the various activities for which the simulation tools are used. For example:

Investigation and analysis of new features in the 3GPP specification from implementation in the simulator through to performance verification.

Development of physical layer receiver algorithms and verification of their performance.

Architecting L1/L2 signal processing solutions for the virtualised DU software and the RU hardware IP, ensuring consistency between the simulation models and the product implementation.

Supporting BS hardware and software development teams (in the UK and Japan) by providing reference models (including bit-true models where necessary) for real-time software and FPGA/ASIC testing and verification.

Researching emerging technologies to support NEC’s product planning and sales activities.

Applying AI/ML techniques, particularly agentic AI, to automate and accelerate software and hardware development.

Supporting NEC’s 3GPP standardisation delegates by generating simulation results for inclusion in contributions to 3GPP meetings (Tdocs).

Expert-level digital signal processing skills.

Linear algebra, probability theory and statistics.

Experience of algorithm development (synchronization and tracking, channel estimation, equalization and MIMO detection, de-mapping and decoding, etc).

Strong Object Oriented and C++ programming skills.

Experience of link and/or system level simulation.

Understanding of 5G NR, 5G Advanced and 6G.

Familiarity with 3GPP standards process.

Strong understanding of the 3GPP RAN1/RAN2 technical specifications.

Understanding of AI/ML, particularly agentic AI development to automate and accelerate software development.

Experience of data analysis using MATLAB.

Understanding and experience of the software development life cycle.

Methodical and thorough programming approach and ability to work according to Quality Assurance procedures.

Excellent English skills, both written and spoken.

Familiarity with O-RAN Standards.

Experience of L1/L2 software development on virtualised platforms (e.g. vDU) and/or L1 hardware development (e.g. RU/FPGA).

Ability to produce technical documentation to good standards.

Experience of scripting languages such as Python.

Experience of using Intel’s SIMD functions for code optimisation.

Signal processing for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), including large Doppler shift/rate compensation, timing advance estimation, and beamforming for LEO service links, ideally with familiarity with 3GPP NTN specifications.

Understanding of multi-threading to achieve code parallelism.

Experience of version control and configuration management tools.

Educated to PhD or higher degree level, preferably in the area of communications, software engineering, physics or mathematics.