O-RAN Operations Engineer (4G/5G vRAN & Cloud-Native Networks) · Manning Global · Düsseldorf, Germany

• Job Title: O-RAN Operations Engineer (4G/5G vRAN & Cloud-Native Networks) | Manning Global | Düsseldorf, Germany
• Recruiting Company: Manning Global
• Job Location: Düsseldorf, Germany
• Job Type: Contract (12 Months)
• Additional Info: Immediate start preferred; German and English fluency required; Open RAN and vRAN experience essential

Manning Global is seeking an experienced O-RAN Operations Engineer to support a high-profile telecommunications transformation project in Germany. This role is critical in operating, optimizing, and troubleshooting next-generation Open RAN and virtualized 4G/5G network infrastructures, helping shape the future of cloud-native mobile networks.

As an O-RAN Operations Engineer, you will work at the forefront of telecom innovation, supporting advanced Open RAN and virtualized RAN (vRAN) environments within a leading European telecommunications ecosystem. The role combines traditional RAN expertise with modern cloud-native technologies, requiring hands-on experience with virtualized network functions, containerized environments, and large-scale mobile network operations. You will be responsible for configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting 4G LTE and 5G networks while supporting virtualization platforms such as Kubernetes and OpenStack. Working closely with customers, operations teams, and project stakeholders, you will ensure network performance, reliability, and operational excellence.

This is an exciting opportunity for telecom professionals looking to contribute to the evolution of open and software-driven mobile network architectures.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and support Open RAN (O-RAN) and virtualized RAN (vRAN) network environments
• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot 4G LTE and 5G radio access networks
• Monitor network performance and proactively resolve operational issues
• Support deployment, configuration, and optimization of cloud-native network functions (CNFs) and virtual network functions (VNFs)
• Manage and troubleshoot Kubernetes and OpenStack-based telecom infrastructure
• Analyze network alarms, KPIs, logs, and performance metrics to improve service quality
• Collaborate with customers and stakeholders to address technical issues and service requests
• Support network upgrades, software updates, and operational maintenance activities
• Produce technical reports, operational documentation, and performance analyses
• Ensure compliance with operational procedures and service-level requirements

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in telecommunications or IT environments
• Strong expertise in RAN and vRAN technologies
• Hands‑on experience configuring and troubleshooting 4G LTE and 5G networks
• Strong understanding of Open RAN architectures and operations
• Experience with virtualized network environments and cloud-native telecom platforms
• Hands‑on knowledge of Kubernetes (K8S), OpenStack, VNF, and CNF technologies
• Experience with Harbor or similar container registry solutions
• Strong customer‑facing, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Proficiency with technical reporting, documentation, and project coordination tools
• Fluency in both German and English (written and spoken)
• Experience working within a European telecom operations or service environment

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience supporting large-scale Open RAN deployments
• Knowledge of CI/CD and telecom automation frameworks
• Familiarity with network orchestration and cloud management platforms
• Experience in multi‑vendor RAN environments
• Certifications related to Kubernetes, OpenStack, cloud technologies, or telecom networks

Recruitment Pro Tip

For Open RAN and vRAN roles, emphasize hands‑on experience with both telecom and cloud-native technologies. Candidates who can demonstrate successful deployments or operational support involving Kubernetes, OpenStack, CNFs/VNFs, and 4G/5G RAN troubleshooting are significantly more likely to stand out during technical evaluations.