About the Role
We are building a next-generation SDR-based wireless mesh network for real-time voice, video, and data in challenging environments. Our stack includes a custom PHY, frequency hopping, and multi-hop MANET routing.
We’re looking for a Wireless Network Protocol Engineer who can bridge the gap between radio hardware (SDR) and Linux networking, designing robust MAC / link-layer protocols and integrating them with mesh routing (e.g., batman-adv).
If you enjoy making packets survive over noisy RF links, tuning protocols at MAC level, and working close to the metal, this role is for you.
Key Responsibilities
- Design & implement the radio MAC / link layer on top of our existing PHY :
Frame structure, sequence numbers, ARQ / retransmissions
Fragmentation / reassembly for larger packets
Basic QoS for voice, video, and file / data traffic
Integrate the radio with Linux networking :Expose the radio as a Linux network interface (netdev) (e.g., sdr0)
Make it work seamlessly with batman-adv or similar mesh / MANET protocols
Support standard IP networking over the mesh
Work with frequency hopping and scheduling :Implement time-slot based transmission and frequency hopping patterns
Design a link-layer scheduler that respects QoS and slot timing
Performance & reliability :Measure and optimise throughput, latency, and packet loss over multi-hop links
Tune parameters (MTU, retries, timers, CW, etc.) based on real-world tests
Collaboration :Work closely with the hardware / SDR / FPGA team on timing, RF tuning, and integration
Coordinate with application / AI / backend teams to understand traffic patterns and QoS needs
Documentation & testing :Write clear documentation for protocols, APIs, and configuration
Develop test plans, simulation setups, and on-device tests for various topologies
Must-Have Qualifications
Strong proficiency in C for systems / embedded programmingSolid understanding of computer networking fundamentals :Ethernet, ARP, IP, UDP / TCPL2 vs L3, routing vs bridging, MTU, fragmentationHands-on experience with wireless protocols at MAC / driver level, for example :Wi-Fi (802.11), 802.11s mesh, Wi-SUN, LoRa / LoRaWAN, 6LoWPAN, ZigBee, or similarExperience with Linux networking :Working with network interfaces, routing, bridgingUsing tools like ip, tcpdump, wireshark, tc, etc.Exposure to at least one of :Mesh / ad hoc networking (batman-adv, OLSR, Babel, 802.11s, OpenWrt)Software Defined Radio (SDR) (USRP, GNU Radio, LimeSDR, etc.)Nice-to-Have Skills
Experience writing or modifying Linux network drivers (netdev) :Familiarity with ndo_start_xmit, netif_rx, SKBs, and kernel networking APIsKnowledge of OFDM / COFDM, SNR, link budgets, and RF basicsExperience with frequency hopping and time-synchronised TDMA or similar schemesFamiliarity with OpenWrt or embedded Linux systemsExperience with network security / crypto, such as :WireGuard, IPsec, TLS, or custom link-layer encryptionPrior work on MANET research (ns-3 simulations, academic projects, theses, etc.)What We’re Looking For (Mindset)
You like working close to the hardware, not just at the application layerYou’re comfortable debugging with tcpdump, Wireshark, logic analyzers, and RF toolsYou enjoy reading specs, protocol RFCs, and digging into kernel code when neededYou can take a high-level “we need voice + video over a mesh in bad RF conditions” requirement and turn it into a concrete protocol and implementation plan