About Photon-IV

Photon-IV Inc. is a Cambridge, Ontario deep-tech startup building AI-driven network intelligence for the hardest connectivity problems: keeping autonomous systems connected as they move between terrestrial 5G and satellite (non-terrestrial) networks.

We work with national research partners including the Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) and Ericcson. You would join a small senior team (RF, AI, and software architects) where your code ships to a live carrier-grade private 5G test bed — not a simulation.

The role

You'll be the software engine behind our validation program: taking our AI handover engine from a working prototype to a system proven on real 5G radio infrastructure with emulated satellite links. This is systems software with a visible outcome —your automation runs the test campaigns that generate the formal evidence for a nationally funded technology demonstration.

What you'll build

- O-RAN rApp development — contribute to our real-time handover application (Python/Go) running on the O-RAN Near-RT RIC: E2 subscription handling, live network measurement decoding (E2SM-KPM), decision logic, and control-message generation (E2SM-RC), plus health and status endpoints.
- Test automation framework — design and build the scenario runner that drives our RF channel emulator (satellite orbit profiles, Doppler, propagation delay, fading), executes attenuation-ramp and handover stress campaigns, detects and re-runs failed cases, and makes hundreds of validation runs repeatable at the push of a button.
- Telemetry and evidence pipeline — capture and structure live network KPIs (RSRP/RSRQ/SINR, throughput, resource-block usage), instrument end-to-end latency (measurement → decision → control), and auto-generate the logs, traces, and reports that form our formal test-evidence package.




- Edge AI deployment — containerize and optimize the ML inference path for NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX: model-readiness monitoring, restart and recovery behaviour, and reliability testing.
- DevOps for the test bed — Docker/Kubernetes deployment of the RIC and xApp stack, configuration management, and CI for the whole workplace.

What we're looking for

Required

- 3rd- or 4th-year student in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related program
- Strong Python; solid Linux fluency
- Docker experience and comfort working in containerized environments
- Understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, sockets, message-driven or async systems)
- Ability to own a component end to end: design, build, test, document

Nice to have (none required)

- Kubernetes, Go, gRPC/protobuf
- PyTorch, ONNX, or TensorRT; any edge/embedded ML exposure
- Wireless or networks coursework (5G NR, LTE, SDR, GNU Radio, srsRAN/OpenAirInterface)
- CI/CD pipelines, Grafana/Prometheus or similar observability tooling
- Test automation frameworks (pytest, Robot Framework)

Why this co-op
- Your software runs against a real carrier-grade private 5G network and satellite-link emulation at a national testing facility — experience almost no co-op offers.
- You'll work at the intersection of AI, telecom, and aerospace on technology covered by provisional patents and backed by federal innovation programs.
- Small team, senior mentors, zero busywork: everything you build is on the critical path of a funded technology-demonstration milestone.
- Strong performers will be first in line for future full-time roles as we scale.

Additional information Photon-IV develops dual-use technology. This role is scoped entirely to our civilian network-intelligence program; however, due to the nature of our broader work, preference may be given to candidates eligible for Government of Canada security screening (Canadian citizens or permanent residents).

📌 Wireless AI Engineering - coop (Waterloo)
🏢 Photon Iv
📍 Waterloo