Principal telecom standards architect – 3gpp sa5, network automation & autonomous networks

This position requires office presence of a minimum of 5 days per week and is only located in the location(s) posted. No relocation is offered.

Join a team that directly influences how the global telecommunications industry operates. You'll work at the intersection of wireless innovation, cloud-native networking, AI-driven operations, and standards leadership, helping shape the evolution of future 5G Advanced and 6G networks while representing one of the industry's most influential service providers.

What You'll Do:

AT&T is seeking a highly technical standards leader to shape the future of mobile network operations, automation, and management within the global telecommunications ecosystem. In this role, you will represent AT&T in industry standards organizations, drive strategic influence across key technical forums, and help define the operational frameworks supporting 5G Advanced and emerging 6G networks.

• Represent AT&T within 3GPP SA5 and related industry organizations, influencing the evolution of network management, orchestration, automation, service assurance, OAM, and operational architectures.
• Develop, defend, and negotiate AT&T technical positions across standards bodies including 3GPP, O-RAN Alliance, and TM Forum.
• Lead standards strategy related to: Telecom management and orchestration Operations, Administration & Maintenance (OAM) Service assurance and charging management Network slicing management AI/ML-driven operations Autonomous and intent-based networking Closed-loop automation Cloud-native network management Virtualized network operations Analytics, assurance, and operational APIs 5G Advanced and 6G operational frameworks.
• Author technical contributions, white papers, position papers, and standards proposals.
• Drive technical discussions and build consensus among operators, infrastructure vendors, cloud providers, and industry stakeholders.
• Evaluate standards impacts and translate AT&T business, operational, and architectural requirements into industry-leading standards strategies.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams spanning: Network Architecture Wireless Engineering Core Network Engineering Cloud & Platform Engineering Security Product Management Operations Vendor Management.
• Coordinate standards alignment across 3GPP working groups including SA, SA1, SA2, SA3, RAN, and CT.
• Track and influence emerging work items and study items impacting network operations and service delivery.
• Support patent generation and intellectual property development aligned with AT&T's long-term technology strategy.

What You'll Bring:

You are a recognized technical expert who combines deep telecommunications knowledge with the ability to influence industry direction and build consensus across diverse stakeholders.

• Strong expertise in 3GPP standards development, particularly within SA5.
• Deep understanding of telecom management, orchestration, network operations, and lifecycle management.
• Experience influencing standards organizations, technical forums, or industry consortiums.
• Knowledge of mobile network architectures, cloud-native platforms, and virtualization technologies.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills with experience creating standards contributions and technical documentation.
• Ability to negotiate complex technical issues and gain alignment across operators, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to connect business priorities to technical roadmaps.
• Executive-level communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Passion for innovation, technology strategy, and industry leadership.

What You'll Need:

PhD, Master's, or Bachelor's degree in: Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Science Telecommunications.

• PhD with 4+ years of relevant industry experience; OR
• Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience; OR
• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience.

Direct experience with 3GPP standards development.

Expertise in one or more of the following: 3GPP SA5 Telecom Management OAM Network Orchestration Service Assurance Autonomous Networks Network Automation Cloud-Native Operations Mobile Core Operations.

Experience developing and negotiating technical standards contributions.

Strong understanding of: 5G Core IMS and service architectures Network Slicing Cloud-native Network Functions (CNFs) Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) AI/ML for network operations Service exposure APIs Fault, performance, and analytics frameworks.

Familiarity with: O-RAN Service Management & Orchestration (SMO) O-RAN automation frameworks TM Forum Open APIs and Autonomous Network initiatives 5G Advanced and 6G network management evolution.

Additional Requirements:

Ability to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional weekend travel, to attend standards meetings and industry events.

Our Principal Member of Technical Staff jobs earn between $189,200.00 - $283,800.00 USD Annual. Not to mention all the other amazing rewards that working at AT&T offers. Individual starting salary within this range may depend on geography, experience, expertise, and education/training.

Joining our team comes with amazing perks and benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Paid Time Off and Holidays (based on date of hire, at least 23 days of vacation each year and 9 company-designated holidays)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Caregiver Leave
• Additional sick leave beyond what state and local law require may be available but is unprotected
• Adoption Reimbursement
• Disability Benefits (short term and long term)
• Life and Accidental Death Insurance
• Supplemental benefit programs: critical illness/accident hospital indemnity/group legal
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Extensive employee wellness programs
• Employee discounts up to 50% off on eligible AT&T mobility plans and accessories, AT&T internet (and fiber where available) and AT&T phone

Weekly Hours: 40

Time Type: Regular

Location: Dallas, Texas, Middletown, New Jersey, USA:WA:Bothell / 20309 North Creek Pkwy - Adm (bothell 7):20309 N Creek Pkwy @ Bldg L

Salary Range: $189,200.00 - $283,800.00

AT&T and its subsidiaries are committed to equal employment opportunity. All hiring, promotion, and other employment decisions remain merit-based and free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. In addition, AT&T will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. AT&T is a fair chance employer and does not initiate a background check until an offer is made. Click here to learn more or request an application accommodation here.