Telecoms Standards Specialist

Salary for UKTL specialist roles are benchmarked against the external market and may include additional compensation to recognise in-demand technical expertise.

Build your voice. Shape the future of telecoms security.

You're someone who understands telecoms-not just how networks work, but why they matter. You enjoy getting into the detail, but you also want your work to have a bigger impact.

In this role, you'll help shape the Standards that underpin Security and Resilience in Telecoms networks. You'll be part of the conversations that define how future telecom networks are built, secured, and trusted.

If you're ready to step into a role where your technical expertise influences real world outcomes, this is your next move.

You'll play an active role in shaping telecom security standards while bringing valuable insights back into UKTL. You'll work closely with senior colleagues, contributing your expertise and growing your influence over time.

Day to day, you will:

• Represent UKTL internationally - You'll participate in global telecoms standards forums, helping to ensure UKTL's voice on security and resilience is heard.
• Turn technical insight into real impact - You'll produce reports, presentations, and briefings that help stakeholders understand architecture, risk, and emerging trends.
• Support future telecom architecture - You'll contribute to the evolution of secure, forward looking telecom systems aligned with industry change.
• Collaborate and build relationships - You'll work closely with standards bodies, industry peers, suppliers, and internal teams to drive shared goals forward.
• Promote best practice - You'll help position UKTL as a trusted voice in telecom security by championing resilient, secure by design approaches.
• Translate complexity into clarity - You'll break down technical standards into practical, actionable insights for a wide range of audiences.
• Stay ahead of the curve - You'll monitor global telecom trends-AI, IoT, satellite networks-and assess what they mean for security and resilience.
• Support and mentor others - You'll share your knowledge, contributing to the growth of capability across the team.
• Get hands on with real world impact - You'll support testing, research, and continuous improvement activity, ensuring new technologies can be securely deployed.

• Shape how telecom standards evolve globally
• Strengthen the security and resilience of UK telecom networks
• Inform decision making across operators, vendors, and government
• Build UKTL's reputation as a trusted technical authority

Your work will help you see your work influence real change-not just theory.

Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham at least twice a week - put part of this role you will be traveling up 9 weeks of the year

We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.

You're technically strong, collaborative, and curious. You're comfortable working with experts, learning from others, and gradually building your own voice.

You'll likely have:

• An understanding of global telecom ecosystems and standards environments, particularly 3GPP and GSMA.
• Expertise in areas including:

• Mobile or fixed core networks
• AI in telecoms
• Security principles and their translation in Standards
• Mobile authentication
• Non terrestrial (satellite) networks

• A good grasp of global telecom landscapes and trends
• Awareness of emerging technologies like IoT, AI, and satellite communications
• Confidence engaging with stakeholders across industry and government
• The ability to explain complex technical ideas clearly
• Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to learn

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. To work in this role, you will need to hold an SC clearance with no restrictions. You are welcome to apply without already holding SC clearance; however, you will not be able to start in post until the clearance has been successfully granted.

UKTL is building leading edge Telecoms testing facilities to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll out of new technologies, and grow our world leading telecoms sector to maintain resiliency and security.

Successful candidates will join a state of the art facility and be supporting the team conducting testing and research on the latest technologies and innovations in the industry. You will work alongside our infrastructure and Cybersecurity professionals to ensure that the UK's world class Telecoms infrastructure grows in a resilient and secure manner underpinning growth in other industry sectors.

As a trusted and independent national capability, UKTL interacts with standards bodies, Academia, and Government Departments as well as Communications Service Providers and equipment vendors.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world leading centre of excellence that provides cutting edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we're creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome.

We offer a wealth of above industry standard benefits, such as enhanced pension scheme, flexible working, and more.

Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we're always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.