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