Outdoor Wireless Network Engineer/Field Technician

Jobtailor

Annapolis (MD)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Jobtailor seeks an experienced field wireless engineer to design, install, and maintain outdoor Cisco wireless networks across challenging sites. You will perform site surveys, configure access points, manage VLANs, and ensure secure, high-availability connectivity.

Responsibilities include RF planning, spectrum analysis, grounding and weatherproofing outdoor gear, and coordinating with managers and technicians to meet project timelines.

Qualifications

Three or more years of experience installing, configuring, or supporting enterprise wireless networks.
Hands-on experience with Cisco wireless access points, wireless LAN controllers, switches, and management platforms.
Demonstrated experience installing and troubleshooting outdoor wireless systems.
Working knowledge of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz wireless technologies.
Experience with TCP/IP, subnetting, DHCP, DNS, VLANs, trunking, routing, switching, PoE, and network security.
Ability to read construction drawings, network diagrams, riser diagrams, site plans, equipment schedules, and technical specifications.
Experience terminating and testing Category 5/6/6A copper cabling and working with fiber-optic cabling.
Experience with grounding, bonding, lightning protection, and National Electrical Code requirements.

Responsibilities

Perform site surveys to evaluate wireless coverage, capacity, interference, installation requirements, power availability, connectivity, and antenna placement.
Design and implement outdoor Cisco Wi-Fi, mesh, point-to-point, and point-to-multipoint networks.
Install, configure, test, commission, maintain, and troubleshoot Cisco outdoor wireless equipment and related infrastructure.
Configure access points, wireless LAN controllers, VLANs, authentication, encryption, RF profiles, channel assignments, power levels, mesh and bridge connections, QoS, redundancy, and high availability.
Conduct predictive and active wireless surveys and spectrum analysis.
Calculate link budgets, Fresnel-zone clearance, antenna gain, cable loss, signal strength, and expected throughput.
Install and align antennas, outdoor-rated copper and fiber cabling, conduit, mounting hardware, surge protection, and PoE equipment.
Ground, bond, seal, weatherproof, and protect outdoor equipment against lightning and environmental exposure.
Perform installations on rooftops, poles, towers, buildings, lifts, and elevated platforms.
Troubleshoot coverage, signal, roaming, interference, packet loss, latency, authentication, and connectivity issues.
Integrate wireless systems with routers, switches, firewalls, network-management systems, cybersecurity platforms, and enterprise networks.
Perform firmware updates, configuration backups, equipment replacement, preventive maintenance, and system-health assessments.
Develop installation drawings, heat maps, equipment schedules, test reports, inventories, configuration records, and as-built documentation.
Conduct acceptance testing and document compliance with project specifications and customer requirements.
Coordinate field activities with project managers, engineers, electricians, contractors, security technicians, customers, and stakeholders.
Provide technical support and training to customers and junior technicians.
Complete daily field reports, deficiency lists, test records, photographs, and project closeout documentation.
Follow safety, cybersecurity, configuration-management, quality-control, and change-management procedures.
Protect customer information and controlled documentation; report cybersecurity incidents, safety concerns, deficiencies, and unauthorized changes.
Deliver reliable coverage, complete installations safely and on schedule, minimize rework, diagnose field problems, and produce accurate commissioning and as-built documentation.

Skills

Wireless Network Design

Installation and Configuration

Spectrum Analysis

Link Budget Calculation

VLAN Configuration

Network Diagnostic Equipment

Technical Documentation Preparation

Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues

Predictive Wireless Surveys

RF Propagation

Strong Communication Skills

Education

Cisco Certified Network Associate

Cisco Certified Network Professional

Certified Wireless Network Administrator

CompTIA Security+

Tools

Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series

Cisco Prime Infrastructure

Wireless Survey Tools

Network Management Systems

Power Tools

Job description

Responsibilities

Perform site surveys to evaluate wireless coverage, capacity, interference, installation requirements, power availability, connectivity, and antenna placement
Design and implement outdoor Cisco Wi-Fi, mesh, point-to-point, and point-to-multipoint networks
Install, configure, test, commission, maintain, and troubleshoot Cisco outdoor wireless equipment and related infrastructure
Configure access points, wireless LAN controllers, VLANs, authentication, encryption, RF profiles, channel assignments, power levels, mesh and bridge connections, QoS, redundancy, and high availability
Conduct predictive and active wireless surveys and spectrum analysis
Calculate link budgets, Fresnel-zone clearance, antenna gain, cable loss, signal strength, and expected throughput
Install and align antennas, outdoor-rated copper and fiber cabling, conduit, mounting hardware, surge protection, and PoE equipment
Ground, bond, seal, weatherproof, and protect outdoor equipment against lightning and environmental exposure
Perform installations on rooftops, poles, towers, buildings, lifts, and elevated platforms
Troubleshoot coverage, signal, roaming, interference, packet loss, latency, authentication, and connectivity issues
Integrate wireless systems with routers, switches, firewalls, network-management systems, cybersecurity platforms, and enterprise networks
Perform firmware updates, configuration backups, equipment replacement, preventive maintenance, and system-health assessments
Develop installation drawings, heat maps, equipment schedules, test reports, inventories, configuration records, and as-built documentation
Conduct acceptance testing and document compliance with project specifications and customer requirements
Coordinate field activities with project managers, engineers, electricians, contractors, security technicians, customers, and stakeholders
Provide technical support and training to customers and junior technicians
Complete daily field reports, deficiency lists, test records, photographs, and project closeout documentation
Follow safety, cybersecurity, configuration-management, quality-control, and change-management procedures
Protect customer information and controlled documentation; report cybersecurity incidents, safety concerns, deficiencies, and unauthorized changes
Deliver reliable coverage, complete installations safely and on schedule, minimize rework, diagnose field problems, and produce accurate commissioning and as-built documentation

Requirements

Three or more years of experience installing, configuring, or supporting enterprise wireless networks
Hands-on experience with Cisco wireless access points, wireless LAN controllers, switches, and management platforms
Demonstrated experience installing and troubleshooting outdoor wireless systems
Working knowledge of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz wireless technologies
Understanding of RF propagation, channel planning, signal-to-noise ratio, received signal strength, interference, roaming, antenna polarization, line-of-sight, and Fresnel-zone clearance
Experience with TCP/IP, subnetting, DHCP, DNS, VLANs, trunking, routing, switching, PoE, and network security
Ability to read construction drawings, network diagrams, riser diagrams, site plans, equipment schedules, and technical specifications
Experience terminating and testing Category 5/6/6A copper cabling and working with fiber-optic cabling
Experience using hand tools, power tools, cable-test equipment, wireless survey tools, and network diagnostic equipment
Ability to work independently in field environments and resolve technical issues with limited supervision
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to prepare accurate technical documentation and test reports
Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record
Ability to travel to customer locations and remain on-site for multi-day installations when required
Ability to pass customer-required background checks, drug screenings, and security-clearance requirements
Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds
Ability to climb ladders and work from rooftops, lifts, poles, towers, and elevated platforms
Ability to work with personal protective and fall-protection equipment
Ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, reach, and work with tools for extended periods
Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold, wind, rain, dust, and other environmental conditions
Ability to work evenings, weekends, maintenance windows, or emergency service periods when required
Cisco Certified Network Associate certification preferred
Cisco Certified Network Professional Enterprise or Wireless certification preferred
Certified Wireless Network Administrator or higher-level Certified Wireless Network Professional certification preferred
Experience with Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers preferred
Experience with Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco Identity Services Engine, Cisco Prime Infrastructure, or Cisco Meraki preferred
Experience with outdoor Cisco Catalyst or Aironet access points and wireless bridge deployments preferred
Experience supporting Department of War, federal government, public-safety, transportation, utility, or critical-infrastructure customers preferred
Current Secret or higher-level U.S. Government security clearance preferred
CompTIA Security+ or another certification meeting applicable DoD 8140 requirements preferred
Experience with grounding, bonding, lightning protection, and National Electrical Code requirements preferred
Experience integrating wireless infrastructure with video surveillance, access control, electronic security, IoT, or operational-technology systems preferred
U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain or maintain a DoD security clearance are requested in the application

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in designing, installing, and troubleshooting outdoor Cisco wireless networks, with a strong understanding of RF propagation and network security. Capable of producing accurate technical documentation and providing training and support to customers and junior technicians.

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