Volunteer Work Experience · Remote / Hybrid
Volunteer Engineering Work Experience: 5G Networks, Open RAN & Network Systems
📡 5G Standalone (SA)
🌍 Remote / Hybrid
🤝 Volunteer Role
About the Opportunity
This is a volunteer engineering work experience opportunity for students interested in telecommunications, networking, cloud infrastructure, and software engineering.
Participants will gain hands-on experience working on a software-based 5G Standalone (SA) network laboratory using modern open-source technologies.
This role is designed to provide practical engineering exposure, teamwork experience, and technical skill development for students looking to strengthen their CV and prepare for graduate-level roles.
No prior 5G experience is required. Training and guidance will be provided.
What You Will Work On
Volunteers will contribute to the design, build, and testing of a virtual 5G network environment.
Tasks may include:
- Deploying a virtual 5G Core network
- Configuring and running a 5G base station (gNB)
- Setting up a virtual User Equipment (UE)
- Configuring Linux networking environments
- Working with Docker containers
- Writing automation and setup scripts
- Testing end-to-end network connectivity
- Debugging network and system issues
- Producing technical documentation
- Collaborating within an engineering team
As the project evolves, volunteers may also be introduced to:
- Open RAN architecture concepts
- CU/DU functional splits
- Cloud-native networking principles
- Network observability and monitoring
- Introductory AI-based network analytics concepts
What You Will Learn
Linux Systems
- Ubuntu administration
- Command-line tools
- System troubleshooting
- Process and service management
Networking
- IP networking fundamentals
- Routing and NAT
- Network namespaces
- Packet capture and analysis (Wireshark/tcpdump)
- Virtual networking concepts
Cloud & Virtualisation
- Docker and containerisation
- Docker Compose
- Virtual machines (VirtualBox / Proxmox)
Telecommunications (5G)
- 5G Standalone architecture
- 5G Core network functions
- Radio Access Network (gNB)
- Control Plane vs User Plane
- Subscriber registration and session setup
- End-to-end traffic flow
Software Engineering Practices
- Git version control
- Bash scripting
- Basic Python scripting
- Testing and debugging
- Technical documentation
- Engineering workflows
Skills You Will Develop
- Linux system administration
- Network engineering fundamentals
- Cloud-native infrastructure concepts
- Telecom systems understanding
- Debugging distributed systems
- Automation and scripting
- Technical communication
- Team-based engineering collaboration
Who This Is For
This opportunity is suitable for students studying:
- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Network Engineering
- Cyber Security
- Data Science (with networking interest)
No prior 5G experience is required, but curiosity and willingness to learn are essential.
Helpful (But Not Required)
- Basic Linux knowledge
- Basic networking understanding
- Python or Bash scripting
- Docker familiarity
- Git usage
Training and support will be provided.
What You Will Gain
By the end of the programme, you will have:
- Practical experience with a working 5G network stack
- Exposure to telecom and cloud technologies used in industry
- Hands-on Linux and networking experience
- Engineering documentation experience
- A technical portfolio of real-world work
- Experience working in a structured engineering team
- A reference upon successful completion
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are looking for students who are:
- Curious and motivated to learn
- Strong problem solvers
- Comfortable working independently and in teams
- Interested in networking, systems, or cloud technologies
- Reliable and committed to completing tasks
Technologies You Will Work With
- Ubuntu Linux
- Docker
- VirtualBox / Proxmox
- Open5GS
- srsRAN
- Git
- Bash
- Python (basic level)
- Wireshark
- Linux networking tools
- Open RAN concepts
Why This Experience Matters
This volunteer experience provides exposure to technologies used in:
- Mobile network operators
- Cloud infrastructure engineering
- Telecommunications research and development
- Open RAN and next-generation networks
- Network automation and DevOps
It is designed to help students bridge the gap between academic study and real-world engineering practice.
📩 How to Apply
Please email your application to contact@ai-labs-uk.com including:
- A short introduction about yourself
- Your university/course details
- Any relevant projects, GitHub, or technical experience