Senior Specialist, Research, Wireless Transmission

Why this role matters

This is a senior technical expert role in Research and Network Strategy which shapes BT’s future technology direction in wireless communications, extracting the business opportunities such technologies offer BT.  

This role will define and lead research projects on the future of cellular and WiFi wireless connectivity applied to BT’s networks. You will combine deepth and breadth of your engineering expertise in 4G, 5G, WiFi (or equivalent) with latest advances in technology (AI/ML, 6G) to shape and deliver research within BT, in collaboration with experts in the team, industry and academic partners.

We believe this is an exciting opportunity where you will have the opportunity to have an impact and influence on mobile telecomms sector. The contribution you will make to technology roadmaps and industry standards will form part of BT’s strategic analysis of Networks evolution.

This role is based in Ipswich or Bristol. 

Our hybrid working model means you are required to be in the office 3 days per week.
 

You'll have the following responsibilities

• Domain expert responsible for the delivery of world-class research (Cellular, WiFi).
• Accountable for generating proposals and managing novel research projects delivering business value and contributing to the company’s goals.
• Responsible for intellectual property creation and supporting the wider of the team in the process.
• Manages collaborative research projects or other research collaborations.
• Accountable for standards contributions, industry influence and setting direction within the area of specialism for the team.
• Responsible for authoring thought leadership technical papers, capturing intellectual property.
• Supervision of professionals, graduates and post-graduate student placements and secondments

You'll have the following skills and experience

Skills

•    Technical domain expert: Considerable (10+ years) experience pioneering emerging wireless communications systems, with breadth and depth of knowledge across a range of technologies (4G, 5G, WiFi).
•    Delivery: ability to take technical concepts to realisation as PoCs, trials, standards specifications, architectural/operational decisions related to radio access or WiFi networks
•    Research reputation: World class standing and recognition in wireless communications community. Evidence of authoring peer reviewed papers, generation of patents, or experience of keynote speaking and being a panelist in high profile conferences and events. 
•    Horizon scanning - Detect early signs of potentially important developments through a systematic examination of potential threats and opportunities, with emphasis on new technology and network Strategy. 
•    Story-telling with data: strong skills in building the case for change, drawing on data and analytical techniques where appropriate, and communicating this to business audiences.
•    Business acumen: Knowledgeable in business strategy and the drivers of organizational performance, including people drivers of performance and financial literacy (e.g. business KPIs, business cases) (PREFERRED)

A degree-level qualification is required, post-graduate qualifications are highly desirable.
Member of a professional body e.g. Institution of Engineering and Technology (PREFERRED)

Experience

Required experience

•    10+ years working experience in wireless communciations technology domain;
•    Deep expertise in wireless technologies including 4G, 5G, 6G concepts and Wi-Fi, e.g. design, implementation, roll out, simulation, optimization;
•    Applications of AI to, and impact on, wireless networks, e.g. PHY-layer, data-driven optimisation.
•    Generation of new IPR naturally as it emerges in research;
•    Able to autonomously lead large scale research projects including internal and external collaborations.

Preferred experience
•    strong appreciation of network architectures at MNOs;
•    Experimental fluency working with hardware – measurements, lab setting;
•    Proven ability to conduct techno-economic assessments of new concepts and their impact on live networks;

Significant delivery: evidence of significant business impact through delivery of research (MANDATORY)

Stakeholder management: evidence of managing project stakeholders across the business at a variety of grade and seniority levels. Demonstrate ability to build internal and external relationships, collaborating both operationally and technically to deliver business results (MANDATORY)

Commercial Applicability: understanding the business case principals around relevant innovations and the real value to the business through value proposition build (MANDATORY)
Solution-focused achiever – Identifies and implements plans to overcome obstacles and achieve ambitious goals. (Mandatory)
Excellent awareness of industry trends, future direction and opportunities (MANDATORY)
Self-starter, pro-actively working with minimal guidance
Problem solving, intellectually curious, comfortable taking ownership and responsibility

Benefits

•    15% on target bonus
•    Health Care
•    Car Allowance
•    BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% Employee contribution, BT contribution 10%
•    From January 2025, equal family leave:  receive 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay and 26 weeks at the statutory rate. It’s for all parents, no matter how your family is made up.
•    Enhanced women’s health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.
•    25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service
•    24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues
•    2 weeks carer’s leave 
•    World-class training and development opportunities
•    Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes.
 

Our leadership standards

Looking in:
Leading inclusively and Safely
I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity.
Owning outcomes
I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.

Looking out:
Delivering for the customer
I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business.
Commercially savvy
I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.

Looking to the future:
Growth mindset
I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation.
Building for the future
I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.