RF Network Engineer

Job Description

-The Senior RF/IT Systems Engineer - 5G & IoT/LPWAN leads design, deployment, and operations of private cellular and low power wide area networks, integrating them with secure, reliable enterprise IT. This role spans 3GPP RAN planning, IoT/LPWAN architecture, lab/field validation, security/compliance, automation, and cross functional collaboration.

RF Architecture & Planning

-Define RF architectures for private 5G (including CBRS) and IoT/LPWAN (LoRaWAN, NB IoT/LTE M, Wi SUN); produce link budgets, frequency/channel plans, and capacity models.

-Plan PCI/PRACH, neighbor relations, handovers, slicing/QoS, and timing (GNSS/PTP IEEE 1588); select antennas, filters, LNAs/PAs, and duplexing components.

-Model propagation, multipath, and interference; generate coverage maps and optimization plans; implement mitigation (tilt, power control, frequency reuse).

Validation & Optimization

-Execute lab characterization (EVM, ACLR, BER) and field verification (drive tests, spectrum scans); analyze KPIs (RSRP/SINR/CQI, throughput, latency).

-Optimize for reliability and performance across macro/small cells, indoor DAS, and IoT gateways; tune parameters based on telemetry and traffic patterns.

IT Integration & Security

-Integrate RF nodes and gateways with enterprise LAN/WAN (L2/L3), VLAN segmentation, QoS, DHCP/DNS, and time sync (PTP/NTP).

-Implement secure connectivity: VPNs, firewall policies, micro segmentation, NAC, device identity and PKI; manage certificates and secure onboarding for IoT (TLS/mTLS, MQTT/CoAP).

-Build observability: SNMP/telemetry, NetFlow/IPFIX, log pipelines; deliver dashboards and alerts (Grafana/Prometheus/Elastic/Datadog/Splunk).

-Automate build/deploy/runbooks with Python/PowerShell; use IaC (Terraform/Ansible) and CI/CD (Git) for repeatable, auditable changes.

Compliance, Safety & Risk

-Map and implement controls from NIST CSF, NIST SP 800 53/800 171, and ISO/IEC 27001; contribute to risk assessments and audit readiness.

-Enforce RF safety (ANSI/IEEE C95.1), site RF exposure limits, grounding/lightning protection, and lock out/tag out procedures.

-Maintain documentation: architecture diagrams, as builts, test reports, change records, SOPs/runbooks.

Cross Functional Leadership

-Partner with Systems Architecture, Network Operations, Cybersecurity, and Field Services; provide Tier 3 escalation and mentor engineers.

-Lead vendor selection, POCs, and performance benchmarking; drive standards and best practices across RF and IT domains.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to View email address on click.appcast.io learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy:

Skills and Requirements

-Active security clearance or ability to obtain one is required.

-Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering (or equivalent).

-7-10+ years RF engineering experience with demonstrable LTE/5G and IoT/LPWAN deployments; 5+ years enterprise IT/networking.

-Proficiency with:

-RF tools: Spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators; planning-Atoll/Planet, iBwave, Ekahau; modeling-MATLAB/Simulink, ADS, HFSS/CST; drive test-TEMS/Nemo.

-Networking/Security: Cisco/Juniper, OSPF/BGP, QoS, multicast; firewalls (Palo Alto/Fortinet), VPN, NAC; Linux/Windows Server; virtualization (VMware/Hyper V/KVM).

-Cloud/Automation: Azure/AWS, Docker/Kubernetes (nice to have), Python/PowerShell, Terraform/Ansible, Git; REST/SNMP APIs.

-Strong troubleshooting across PHY/RF, MAC/RLC/PDCP, IP, and application layers; excellent communication and documentation skills.

-Security clearance: eligibility to obtain and maintain Top Secret. -Master's degree or equivalent experience with large scale private LTE/5G and IoT deployments.

-CBRS/OnGo experience (SAS integration, CPI credential), RAN/Core (eNB/gNB, EPC/5GC), slicing and QoS.

-LoRaWAN design (gateways, network servers, OTAA/ABP, payload decoders); NB IoT/LTE M device provisioning and power profiles.

-Certifications: CWNP/CWISA, CCNP, CompTIA Security+, Azure/AWS Associate; Amateur Extra or GROL is a plus.

-Familiarity with Zero Trust architectures, PKI lifecycle, SIEM/SOAR, and audit processes.

Tools & Technologies

-Measurement: Keysight/R&S/Anritsu (spectrum, VNA); GPSDO/time sources.

-Design & Planning: Atoll/Planet/InfoVista, iBwave/Ekahau, MATLAB/ADS, HFSS/CST, GIS.

-Networking & Ops: Cisco IOS/NX OS, Junos, Palo Alto/Fortinet, Linux, Windows Server, VMware/Hyper V, Azure/AWS.

-Observability & Automation: SNMP/NetFlow, Grafana/Prometheus, Elastic/Splunk/Datadog, Python/PowerShell, Terraform/Ansible, Git.