Okay, I've searched for RAN Virtualization Engineer contract roles in Plano, TX, requiring 5+ years of experience with OAM/FCAPS in wireless networks and Kubernetes platform troubleshooting. I have found 27 positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The RAN Virtualization OA&M Engineer role is fundamentally designed to serve as a high-level technical expert and troubleshooter for virtualized Radio Access Network (RAN) elements, particularly focusing on the operation, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAMP) aspects of 4G/5G networks. The primary responsibility is to bridge complex technical challenges within network management systems (NMS/EMS), Kubernetes platforms, and virtualized network functions such as vCU and vDU, ensuring smooth integration and final delivery of cutting-edge telecom solutions. Given the tier 3 SME requirement, the candidate will often operate under pressure resolving critical escalations, driving root cause analysis efforts, and coordinating between R&D, sales, and customer support teams. Success in this role means not only resolving technical issues quickly but also contributing to feature development, performance validation, and customer satisfaction in a fast-evolving 5G virtualization landscape. The job demands deep domain expertise in 3GPP systems, cloud-native technologies like Kubernetes (AWS EKS, OpenShift), container orchestration, and network protocols, combined with practical scripting and troubleshooting skills to manage HA and redundancy systems. The role also requires translating customer pain points into clear technical requirements and ensuring delivered products meet design and performance benchmarks. Overall, this is a strategic position that requires technical breadth, cross-functional collaboration, and customer-centric problem-solving with a proactive mindset to anticipate and mitigate issues before they impact the network.

Company Analysis:

The Crox Group operates as a global consulting and IT solutions partner with a strong emphasis on recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), business process outsourcing (BPO), and system integration services, serving diverse industries with a standards-driven and client-focused approach. Positioned as a trusted advisor with leadership experienced in Fortune 500 engagements, the company values consistent, high-quality service delivery and operational excellence. For a candidate, this translates into joining a culture that prioritizes responsiveness, maintaining service standards, and continuously improving client outcomes under time-sensitive conditions. The company’s global footprint and focus on infrastructure modernization reflect an environment that embraces emerging technologies and global collaboration, which aligns well with the advanced telecom systems and cloud-native networking expertise required for this role. The candidate should anticipate working within an organization that is mission-driven to accelerate client productivity and innovation, while balancing operational rigor with dynamic technical challenges. This role likely enjoys visibility across multiple teams and operates as a critical technical stakeholder interfacing with both business units and technology partners, emphasizing agility and leadership in fast-changing market contexts. The Crox Group’s strategic focus on beating competition by raising operational bars suggests an environment that rewards problem-solving excellence, proactive learning, and adaptive communication – all essential to thriving as a RAN Virtualization OA&M Engineer.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to handle a critical network outage under pressure. How did you manage the technical and communication challenges?
• Behavioral: Describe an experience where you had to translate complex customer requirements into actionable system design specifications. What approach did you take?
• Behavioral: Can you share an example of working cross-functionally to deliver a new product feature or patch? How did you ensure alignment between R&D, support teams, and customers?
• Behavioral: How do you prioritize multiple high-severity issues when working as a Tier 3 SME supporting a live 5G virtualized network?
• Technical: Explain your approach to troubleshooting Kubernetes-based RAN VNFs on an AWS EKS platform. What specific tools and methods do you rely on?
• Technical: How do the OAMP/FCAPS subsystems interact within a 5G RAN network? Can you detail your experience supporting these functions?
• Technical: Describe your experience with EMS/NMS software upgrade MOPs in commercial networks. What steps are critical to ensuring a smooth upgrade?
• Technical: How familiar are you with Netconf, YANG models, and RESTful APIs in the context of network management? How have you applied these in past projects?
• Situational: Imagine a customer reports intermittent failures in the vCU pods running on Kubernetes. Walk me through your troubleshooting strategy to isolate and resolve the issue.
• Situational: You receive conflicting technical feedback from R&D and the customer support teams about a recurring defect. How do you navigate this situation to move towards a resolution?
• Situational: Given a tight deadline to onboard a new virtualized RAN feature, but the pre-sales and development teams are misaligned, how would you facilitate progress?
• Company Fit: What motivates you to work at The Crox Group, and how do you see your skills contributing to our service excellence goals?
• Company Fit: The Crox Group emphasizes beating competition and improving customer experience. How do you approach continuous improvement in a role like this?
• Company Fit: How do your values and working style align with a global consulting firm that supports critical infrastructure projects across time zones and cultures?
• Questions for Interviewer: How does The Crox Group support ongoing technical training and certifications for specialized roles like RAN virtualization?
• Questions for Interviewer: Can you describe the typical collaboration model between the RAN Virtualization OA&M Engineer, Samsung R&D, and customer teams?
• Questions for Interviewer: What are the company’s strategic priorities for 5G virtualization projects over the next 12–18 months, and how does this role directly impact those goals?