RF Engineer

Nomad Solutions; Gainesville (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Nomad Solutions is seeking a skilled RF Engineer to design, deploy, and support countrywide telecommunications systems. The role emphasizes RF systems, site surveys, maintenance, and ensuring high availability and reliability of the network.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience with RF infrastructure, Juniper routers, VMware, and Motorola equipment, with the ability to work with customers and teams in dynamic environments. Some evenings/weekends may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in information technology or related technical discipline.
• 7 to 10+ years of relevant experience in radio frequency systems design, installation and maintenance.
• Demonstrated experience working in IT production environments.
• High degree of proficiency in computer system and network troubleshooting.
• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail.
• Ability to obtain/maintain security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to work some evenings and/or weekends as job duties demand.

Responsibilities

• Designs, builds, deploys and supports RF communications systems and equipment
• Performs preventative/corrective maintenance on countrywide wireless network communications system
• Conducts site surveys of RF communications systems, documents as-built systems, and recommends system improvements
• Maintains Motorola RF communications equipment (RF repeaters, base stations, and antenna systems)
• Regularly communicates orally and in writing with team and with customer
• Ensures the highest possible level of communications network operational availability
• Troubleshoots system and network issues, and develops and implements solutions
• Creates and maintains as-built and other systems drawings (flowcharts, diagrams)
• Manages spare asset inventory and performs regular inventory audits
• Performs routine backups of critical data to ensure operational continuity in event of catastrophic failure
• Participates in special projects as required

Skills

IP networking

Windows administration

Juniper routers/Junos

RF systems familiarity

Active Directory administration

VMware virtualization

Hardware & software tools

Spectrum analyzers

Line sweep analyzers

Networking equipment maintenance

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in information technology or related technical discipline

Tools

Junos

PuTTY

WinSCP

VMware

HP ProLiant

Network analyzers

Job description

The RF Engineer designs, builds, deploys, installs, troubleshoots and provides support for complex countrywide telecommunications systems. Conducts interoperability analysis and identifies technical risks. Performs core and subsite maintenance to include remote RF and dispatch sites. Tests systems, solves problems, mitigates risks, and develops solutions.

Responsibilities

• Designs, builds, deploys and supports RF communications systems and equipment
• Performs preventative/corrective maintenance on countrywide wireless network communications system
• Conducts site surveys of RF communications systems, documents as-built systems, and recommends system improvements
• Maintains Motorola RF communications equipment (RF repeaters, base stations, and antenna systems)
• Regularly communicates orally and in writing with team and with customer
• Ensures the highest possible level of communications network operational availability
• Troubleshoots system and network issues, and develops and implements solutions
• Creates and maintains as-built and other systems drawings (flowcharts, diagrams)
• Manages spare asset inventory and performs regular inventory audits
• Performs routine backups of critical data to ensure operational continuity in event of catastrophic failure
• Participates in special projects as required
  

Required Technical Proficiencies

• IP networking
• Windows 10, Windows Server 2012/2016/2019, and Active Directory administration
• Juniper routers and Junos
• LMR, RF systems, wired/wireless communication systems and/or networking equipment
• Hardware and software tools (network analyzers, PuTTY, WinSCP, etc.)
• HP ProLiant server administration
• Deployment and administration of VMware virtualization suites
• Strong understanding of RF systems, to include transmitters, receivers, and antenna networks
• Knowledge of standard telephony and dedicated data circuits, and packet switching techniques
• Logging of recording systems, RF interfaces, and wired/wireless communications systems
• Communications system analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and line sweep analyzers using frequency domain reflectometry
• Solid understanding of R-56 grounding standards

Preferred Technical Proficiencies

• Experience with Motorolas proprietary software and hardware systems
• Experience with P25, Smartnet, SmartZone, RF infrastructure, ASTRO systems, radios and consoles
• Experience with Microwave backhaul systems
• Experience in performing RF trunking site optimization, or be willing to learn this skill

General Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in information technology or related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, certifications and work experience
• 7 to 10+ years of relevant experience in radio frequency systems design, installation and maintenance
• Demonstrated experience working in IT production environments
• High degree of proficiency in computer system and network troubleshooting
• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail
• Self-starter with ability to work effectively in small team environment with minimal supervision
• Capable of lifting and moving equipment up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as job duties demand
• Must be able to hit the ground running
• Ability to obtain/maintain security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship