PS Core Engineer

We are seeking an experienced PS Core Engineer to join a telecommunications assignment in Saudi Arabia. The role will focus on hands-on Packet Core, EPC and 5G Core engineering, including configuration, service health monitoring, fault resolution, upgrades, performance optimisation, and virtualised node integration.

The successful candidate will have strong practical experience in PS Core technologies, network troubleshooting, call-flow analysis, and working with virtualised and cloud-based environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor node health, alarms and system performance, and resolve network faults and service-impacting issues.

• Investigate capacity, performance and service degradation and implement appropriate corrective actions.

• Manage subscriber sessions, PDP contexts, bearers and IMSI traces.

• Configure and manage APNs, IMSI ranges, rating groups and QoS profiles.

• Configure PCC rules and PDR, QER, FAR and URR policies.

• Work with PCRF/SAPC and related Policy and Charging Control functions.

• Manage DNS, NAPTR and SRV configurations for IMS and EPC services.

• Support the integration of virtualised Packet Core nodes.

• Perform software upgrades, patches, system changes and capacity expansions.

• Analyse attach, bearer establishment, handover, latency and throughput KPIs.

• Troubleshoot end-to-end call flows and identify root causes of network issues.

• Develop and use scripts for log analysis, troubleshooting and operational automation.

• Work closely with planning, operations and cross-functional engineering teams.

• Prepare clear technical documentation, incident reports and troubleshooting records.

Required Skills & Experience

• 4–8 years of relevant experience in PS Core, EPC and/or 5G Core engineering.

• Strong hands-on experience with Packet Core equipment and command-line interfaces.

• Good understanding of SGSN/MME, EPG, PCC/PCG, SAPC, DRA, SMF/UPF, NEF and related core network functions.

• Strong knowledge of 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G call flows.

• Practical knowledge of GTP-C/U, Diameter, RADIUS, HTTP/2, SIP, SCTP and TCP/UDP/IP protocols.

• Experience with virtualised environments such as VMware, OpenStack, Kubernetes and Docker.

• Familiarity with OSS/BSS integration and network management and monitoring tools.

• Experience with network troubleshooting and packet analysis tools such as Wireshark.

• Scripting knowledge in Bash, Python, Expect or AWK.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues independently and work effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Strong communication, reporting and technical documentation skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, Electronics, Computer Engineering or a related discipline.

Desirable / Advantageous Skills

• Relevant vendor or professional certification.

• Experience with cloud-native 5G Core environments.

• Knowledge of dual-mode 5G Core solutions.

• Experience with CNIS and SMF/UPF integration.

• Experience working with virtualised and cloud-native telecommunications environments.

What the Role Offers

This opportunity provides exposure to live Packet Core operations and engineering activities, including network optimisation, technical change, virtualised infrastructure and cloud-native core technologies.

The successful candidate will work on practical network performance and service availability challenges within a telecommunications environment.