Senior Wireless Test Engineer

Description

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to the GM Global Technical Center in Warren, MI three times per week, at minimum [or other frequency dictated by the business if more than 3 days].

The Role

The Senior Wireless Test Engineer – Cellular Systems will lead lab and field validation of GM’s 4G and 5G cellular connectivity, ensuring robust voice, data, and safety‑critical services for connected vehicles. This role is responsible for translating detailed technical and regulatory requirements into comprehensive test strategies, test cases, and automated test scripts that validate end‑to‑end system performance across multiple networks, operators, and markets.

You will be a hands‑on technical leader, defining test methodologies, selecting tools and equipment, executing complex test campaigns, and driving issue resolution with internal teams and external partners.

What You’ll Do

Test Strategy, Planning, and Design

Translate system, feature, and regulatory requirements into structured test plans, test cases, and scripts covering lab and field validation for cellular connectivity.

Define test coverage strategy for:

RF performance and parametric tests

Protocol stack behavior for 4G LTE and 5G NR

Mobility, roaming, and handover scenarios

Application‑level voice, data, SMS, emergency calls, and special features.

Identify tools, test equipment, fixtures, and environments required to fully validate requirements (e.g., RF chambers, call boxes, loggers, automation frameworks, simulators, load generators).

RF Performance and Parametric Validation

Develop and execute RF performance and parametric test cases (e.g., output power, sensitivity, ACLR, EVM, throughput vs. RSRP/RSRQ/SINR, spectrum mask).

Specify and use RF test equipment such as signal generators, spectrum/network analyzers, OTA chambers, and channel emulators.

Analyze RF measurements, correlate with requirements and KPIs, and drive corrective actions with hardware and modem engineering teams.

Cellular Protocol and Mobility Testing (4G/5G)

Develop detailed test cases and scripts to validate 4G/5G protocol stack behavior, including:

Attach/registration, bearer/session setup, authentication, and security procedures

Mobility management, idle/connected mode behaviors, DRX, power‑saving features.

Design and execute mobility and roaming scenarios, including:

Intra‑ and inter‑frequency handovers

Inter‑RAT mobility (e.g., LTE–NR, LTE–3G/2G where applicable)

Domestic and international roaming, PLMN selection, and operator‑specific features.

Validate throughput and latency across multiple radio conditions, bands, and network configurations; create performance benchmarks and regression baselines.

Service and Feature Validation (Voice, Data, SMS, Emergency, Special Features)

Develop and maintain test suites for:

Voice services: CS voice (where relevant), VoLTE/VoNR, supplementary services, audio quality KPIs.

Packet data: IP connectivity, QoS, APN configurations, VPN and secure tunnel behavior.

Messaging: MO/MT SMS, concatenated messages, delivery reports, failure handling.

Emergency services: eCall/NG‑eCall or regional equivalents, emergency call routing, fallback behaviors, and priority handling.

Special features: operator‑ or GM‑specific services (e.g., data‑only modes, tethering, OTA updates, remote commands, telematics features).

Validate end‑to‑end system behavior including in‑vehicle integration, back‑end/cloud interfaces, and mobile network interactions.

Automation, Tooling, and Infrastructure

Develop automated test scripts and parsers for cellular and RF test execution, log collection, and results processing.

Define and maintain test benches, automation frameworks, and CI/regression test suites for cellular validation.

Specify and integrate test tools such as:

Cellular network simulators / call boxes

RF channel emulators and OTA chambers

Packet sniffers, protocol analyzers, and logging tools

Traffic generators for voice/data/SMS and application load.

Drive test data management: logging, parsing, metrics dashboards, and traceability between requirements, test cases, and results.

Debug, Analysis, and Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Perform deep‑dive analysis of field and lab issues involving RF, protocol, and service‑level failures; reproduce and triage with modem suppliers, network operators, and internal teams.

Collaborate closely with hardware design, modem/software, systems engineering, regulatory, and back‑end/cloud teams to:

Clarify requirements and KPIs

Prioritize defects and drive design or software changes

Improve test coverage and methodologies over time.

Provide clear, concise test reports and technical summaries for leadership, program teams, and external stakeholders.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field.

5+ years of hands‑on experience in cellular wireless testing or validation (4G LTE and/or 5G NR) in automotive, telecom, handset, or modem domains.

Strong understanding of:

Cellular RF fundamentals (power, sensitivity, link budget, interference, fading)

4G/5G protocol stack (RRC, PDCP, RLC, MAC, PHY; NAS and core network interactions)

Mobility and roaming concepts, including handovers, reselection, and tracking areas.

Demonstrated experience developing test plans, test cases, and test scripts for:

RF performance and parametric checks

Cellular protocol procedures (attach, bearer setup, registration, security)

Mobility/roaming, throughput, and latency characterization

Voice, data, SMS, and emergency call scenarios.

Hands‑on experience with cellular test equipment and tools, such as:

Call boxes / network simulators (e.g., Keysight, R&S, Anritsu, Spirent, etc.)

Spectrum/network analyzers, signal generators, channel emulators

Protocol analyzers and log tools (e.g., QXDM, QCAT, modem logs, Wireshark).

Strong data analysis and debugging skills, with the ability to interpret complex RF and protocol logs and narrow down root causes.

Proven ability to translate requirements into testable criteria and define the tools, instrumentation, and configurations needed for full coverage.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document test methods, results, and recommendations clearly.

What Can Give You a Competitive Advantage (Preferred Qualifications)

Master’s degree in a related engineering field.

Experience with automotive connectivity or telematics control units (TCUs), including in‑vehicle integration and back‑end/cloud connectivity.

Knowledge of Hardware design, PCB, and traces.

Familiarity with emergency call regulations, public safety requirements, and regional differences in emergency services.

Experience with test automation frameworks (Python or similar) for cellular/RF testing, including scripting for call box control and log parsing.

Knowledge of operator certification, conformance, and regulatory test processes (e.g., PTCRB, GCF, carrier‑specific programs).

Experience with multi‑RAT and multi‑SIM devices, as well as coexistence with other radios (Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, GNSS).

Background in requirements management and traceability tools, and in building coverage metrics for large test suites.

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Compensation:

The expected base compensation for this role is: $106,600 - $165,700. Actual base compensation within the identified range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.

Bonus Potential: An incentive pay program offers payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.

Benefits: GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.

GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. THIS INCLUDES DIRECT COMPANY SPONSORSHIP, ENTRY OF GM AS THE IMMIGRATION EMPLOYER OF RECORD ON A GOVERNMENT FORM, AND ANY WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIRING A WRITTEN SUBMISSION OR OTHER IMMIGRATION SUPPORT FROM THE COMPANY (e.g., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

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