Principal System Architecture Standards Engineer

EchoStar Corporation · Herndon, VA · 1 mo ago

On-siteEngineering$154k/yrFull-time

Company Summary

EchoStar is reimagining the future of connectivity. Our business reach spans satellite television service, live‑streaming and on‑demand programming, smart home installation services, mobile plans and products. Today, our brands include Boost Mobile, DISH TV, Gen Mobile, Hughes and Sling TV.

Department Summary

Our Wireless Technology team is pioneering the future of connectivity. We are developing and enhancing a unique hybrid network model—combining our advanced, cloud‑native 5G core with the nationwide reach of our partners. This approach ensures our network is flexible and powerful, designed to satisfy the social, economic, and transformative needs of the changing world.

Responsibilities

Candidates must be willing to participate in at least one in‑person interview, which may include a live whiteboarding or technical assessment session. This role addresses the complex challenge of defining and standardizing the next generation of wireless architecture, requiring deep technical mastery of 3GPP System Architecture (SA5, SA6, and SA2) and OAM/EMS frameworks used to shape global wireless standards, with a focus on the integration of AI/ML and autonomous network capabilities. The successful candidate will navigate the evolving landscape of 3GPP, GSMA, TM Forum and AI‑related standard bodies to ensure EchoStar/Boost Mobile's cloud‑native assets are optimized for emerging services such as Native‑AI 6G, NTN‑TN integration and sensing. By driving strategic proposals, this position bridges the gap between the current network architecture/operations and the future requirements of 6G and AI‑driven autonomous systems.

What Success Looks Like (Objectives)

Represent EchoStar/Boost Mobile as a lead delegate in 3GPP SA, GSMA, TM Forum and AI‑related organizations to drive the evolution of AI‑driven system architectures and open APIs.
Conduct strategic technology analysis for a hybrid MNO core network architecture that effectively supports AI/ML, NTN‑TN integrated services, sensing and other emerging technologies.
Develop actionable standards plans that leverage cloud‑native core network assets to achieve departmental OKRs for network automation and service innovation.
Maintain an influential presence within global industry bodies and vendor relationships to align international wireless standards with the company’s long‑term technology roadmap.
Provide technical ownership of AI/Data frameworks that enable Level 4 Autonomous Network capabilities and automated system management.
Facilitate cross‑functional collaboration to ensure internal engineering teams are aligned with emerging 6G technologies and protocol‑level developments.
Monitor and translate emerging AI interoperability protocols (e.g., MCP, A2A, OpenInference, OpenTelemetry, GenAI semantic conventions) into enterprise‑wide architecture guidelines and governance guardrails.
Own EchoStar's AI observability standards, including OpenTelemetry attribute schemas for LLM spans, agent traces, tool invocations, and multi‑agent workflows across hybrid AI platform deployments.
Define and maintain standardization patterns for agentic AI frameworks (e.g., LangGraph, CrewAI, Strands, AutoGen).

Skills, Experience and Requirements

Deep technical mastery of 3GPP System Architecture (mainly SA5 and SA6; SA2 is a plus) and OAM/EMS frameworks used to shape global wireless standards.
Proven expertise in TM Forum and GSMA frameworks, preferably regarding AI/ML use cases and autonomous network lifecycle management.
Deep understanding of AI concepts – GenAI, LLM, supervised learning, reinforcement learning, federated learning – and the ability to apply advanced AI/data frameworks to next‑generation enterprise and system architectures.
Strong knowledge of AI observability standards and interoperability protocols (MCP, A2A, OpenInference, OpenTelemetry, GenAI semantic conventions).
Advanced negotiation and consensus‑building skills for navigating multinational standardization environments and influencing complex technical outcomes.
Extensive experience leading wireless standards development through multiple 3GPP releases, focusing on 5G support of cloud‑native core networks and 6G evolution.
Strategic problem‑solving abilities to translate high‑level business goals into detailed protocol‑level technical requirements and standards proposals.

Minimum Requirements

Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, IT/Data Science, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in wireless standards development within 3GPP, GSMA, or TM Forum.
At least 10 years of experience with 3GPP SA5 (OAM), SA6 (Open APIs), or SA2 (System Architecture), or TM Forum frameworks and specifications related to AI/Autonomous Networks, or 5G/6G System Architecture, interface design, and Cloud‑native Network Functions (CNFs).
Strong knowledge of 3GPP AI/ML, NTN, and Network Energy Saving features up to Release 19.
Prior experience in developing overarching wireless systems requirements across UE, RAN, and CN is preferable.
Knowledge of AI applications in 3GPP – AI for Network, Network for AI, AI for Mobility, AI LCM, Data Framework, NWDAF, MDAF, etc.; AI for PHY and AI for (NG) RAN is a plus.
Familiarity with AI ethics, regulatory compliance in telecom, and data privacy frameworks is preferred.
Visa sponsorship not available for this role.

Pay

Compensation: $154,275.00 per year – $200,000.00 per year (base pay range is a guideline; total compensation varies based on qualifications, skill level, competencies, and location).

Benefits

Versatile health perks, including flexible spending accounts and Health Savings Account (HSA).
401(k) plan with company match.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
Career development opportunities.
Flexible time‑away plan.
Access to the full EchoStar Benefits portal for additional details.