RF Engineer

Job Title

RF Design Engineer (RF Design and Optimization)

Duration

12+ months with a possible extension based on performance.

Job Description

The RF Engineer is responsible for contributing to the RF Design of the regional wireless network. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Creates search areas and reviews search area candidates within a geographic area, taking into consideration baseline, performance issues, capacity, topography, and population.
• Works with the performance team to improve Key Performance Indicators within the area.
• Collaborates with traffic and implementation counterparts to understand capacity improvements needed in the network.
• Create site design RFDS and complete plumbing diagrams.
• Evaluate antennas and equipment for performance and future growth.
• Perform radio engineering evaluations for system planning and site acquisition.
• Evaluate coverage problems and requirements for coverage and capacity cells.
• Utilize propagation tools and other RF related equipment such as MapInfo, GeoPlan, ATOLL, Datapro and Nortel Performance Tool for site candidate comparison, propagation and coverage review, selection, zoning and regulatory work.
• Determine regulatory coverage boundaries for extensions, FAA/FCC filings.
• Review cell sites and designs for upgrades or modifications.
• Prepare necessary zoning and regulatory filings for sites ensuring compliance and attend zoning meetings as required.
• Work closely with the real estate team to increase efficiency, minimize cost, and streamline processes related to site acquisition, lease and zoning submissions.
• Review real estate applications for accuracy prior to lease execution.
• Conduct RFE analysis, generate required reports and documents, and ensure 100% compliance with RFE mitigation standards within the allotted time frame.
• Generate and evaluate coverage and interference prediction maps.
• Calculate and evaluate the effects on the received signal of path-related impairments.
• Develop and analyze sectors post‑construction to optimize coverage and capacity.
• Determine the required antennas for planned frequencies and their optimal positions.
• Determine the required cables, antennas, and equipment to implement macro and small‑cell wireless network clusters.
• Ensure 100% regulatory requirements are met in every phase of the design project.
• Evaluate site compliance with health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Perform intermodulation analyses of antenna systems and components.
• Calculate link budgets as needed to evaluate system performance and reliability based on received signal level and fade margin.
• Calculate the efficiency of various multiple‑antenna schemes and analyze trade‑offs involved in selecting among them.
• Evaluate the effects of path loss on the received signal strength in various propagation environments such as flat terrain, rolling hills, urbanized areas, and indoor environments with losses caused by walls and ceilings.
• Determine antenna parameters such as pattern, beam width, gain, distance from an antenna or array for far‑field conditions, spacing, beam forming, tilt, and sectorization, and analyze the effects of these parameters on coverage and capacity.
• Analyze propagation modeling and drive‑test measurements and make recommendations for site optimizations.
• Analyze design considerations and perform system design to eliminate coverage holes and to optimize capacity and coverage.
• Evaluate site design efficiency related to handover and inter‑technology handover management.

Desired Personal Qualities

• Personal integrity
• Timeliness
• Self‑starter
• Ability to accomplish tasks with minimal supervision
• Attention to detail
• Proactive
• Team‑player
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Goal‑oriented and mission focused
• Can‑do attitude
• Flexibility
• Superior organizational and project planning skills

Tools Experience Required

• ATOLL
• Siterra
• MapInfo thematic map creation
• Advanced Microsoft Office suite
• Google Earth and .kml import
• FCC ASR and ULS databases

Other Desired Tools (a plus)

• Geoplan
• Net Workflow
• Actix
• Ericsson performance tools
• VBA for macro creation
• Roofview
• Test equipment such as network analyzers and spectrum analyzers

Demonstrated Knowledge

• 4G network design and implementation
  • Antennas, RF engineering, transmission, reception, and propagation knowledge.
  • Firm understanding of band performance capabilities and limitations.
  • Understanding of LTE KPIs and the impact of design on them.
  • Planning factors for data and VoLTE.
• Frequency planning and de‑confliction
• Knowledge of loss types and mitigation techniques
• Methods to calculate antenna gain and free space path loss
• Effects of outdoor terrain and indoor structures on signal propagation
• Use of topographical maps and digital terrain databases
• Antenna system design and use, including types such as Hex/Octo port panel and cross‑pol array, patterns, gain, EIRP, ERP, polarization, diversity, MIMO antenna systems, and proper installation for coverage and interference mitigation.
• Macro site design considerations in urban, suburban, and rural environments
• Small‑cell design considerations in urban and suburban environments