RF Field Engineer

Airtower Networks; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with 5% match

Paid time off

Job summary

Airtower Networks is seeking an RF Field Engineer to own field delivery of large in-building DAS and managed networks from survey to commissioning and ongoing performance. You’ll bridge design engineering, deployment crews, carriers, and AHJs, ensuring builds match designs and carrier KPIs.

The role emphasizes field execution with regular travel to customer sites nationwide. Expect hands-on testing, data collection, and working across multiple OEMs with strong RF theory.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on field experience with cellular or public safety DAS (installation, commissioning, troubleshooting)
• Solid grasp of RF propagation and antenna theory, with working RF math: link budgets, power sharing, noise figure, and uplink/downlink balancing
• Proven commissioning and optimization experience on at least two of: JMA, SOLiD ADRF, Andrew, Comba, Fiplex, Nextivity, Airspan.

Responsibilities

• Surveys and pre-construction; data collection and site walks as the primary technical resource
• Review drawings, iBwave designs and RF schematics; flag gaps early
• Lead commissioning, integration, and optimization of cellular and public safety DAS
• Prepare systems for carrier integration and AHJ inspections
• Monitor systems remotely and respond to trouble tickets to meet SLAs

Skills

RF field engineering

DAS & public safety networks

Commissioning & optimization

RF spectrum analysis

Reading construction drawings

Driver's license

Client communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Spectrum analyzer

OTDR

PIM tester

CW signal generator

UE data collection tools

Job description

Airtower Networks delivers total managed services and mobile connectivity for the commercial real estate and enterprise sector.

We design, deploy, own and operate in-building cellular and public safety networks that tenants, first responders, and building owners rely on every day. If you want a fast-growing company that invests in your development, pays competitively, and promotes from within, read on.

The role

The RF Field Engineer owns the hands-on technical delivery of large in-building DAS and managed networks, from first site survey to commissioning, close-out, and ongoing performance. You will be the technical bridge between design engineering, deployment crews, carriers, and the authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs).

This role is centered on field execution rather than design ownership. You will validate that what was designed is what gets built, prove it with test data, and keep it performing to carrier KPIs and client SLAs.

• Location: Remote, based in the DC Metro Area, Atlanta, or North Carolina
• Travel: Regular travel to customer sites across the nation
• Reports to: Director of Network Engineering
• Employment type: Full-time, exempt

What you’ll do

• Surveys and pre-construction
• Perform pre- and post-contract RF site surveys and benchmark data collection (walk testing, scanner and UE data)
• Join site walks and pre-construction meetings as the primary technical resource
• Review construction drawings, iBwave designs, and RF schematics against site conditions; flag gaps to design engineering early

Installation validation and testing

• Act as liaison between design engineering and deployment teams so networks are built as designed
• Validate installation of DAS head-ends, remotes, RF sources (BDA, eNB/gNB, small cell), DC power plants, and low-voltage circuits
• Perform CW testing, spectrum analysis, segment and system sweep testing, PIM, and OTDR testing
• Use small hand tools for minor installation tasks, rack-and-stack, and cable terminations

Commissioning and acceptance

• Lead commissioning, integration, and optimization of cellular and public safety DAS, including uplink/downlink link balancing and power sharing
• Prepare systems for carrier integration and acceptance against carrier KPIs
• Lead public safety ERCES commissioning and oversee AHJ inspections and third-party testing for code compliance (NFPA 1225 / IFC 510)

Maintenance and support

• Monitor systems remotely and respond to trouble tickets, onsite or remote, to meet client SLAs
• Perform fault analysis, interference mitigation, preventive maintenance, and annual public safety retesting
• Execute system modifications, expansions, and upgrades with project managers and design

  Documentation and communication

  • Produce commissioning reports, test results, as-builts, and close-out packages
  • Communicate status and findings clearly to clients, carriers, contractors, and internal teams
  • Follow industry safety standards, local codes, and Airtower safety protocols on every site

  What you bring

  • 3+ years of hands-on field experience with cellular or public safety DAS (installation, commissioning, troubleshooting)
  • Solid grasp of RF propagation and antenna theory, with working RF math: link budgets, power sharing, noise figure, and uplink/downlink balancing
  • Proven commissioning and optimization experience on at least two of: JMA, SOLiD ADRF, Andrew, Comba, Fiplex, Nextivity, Airspan.
  • Proficiency with spectrum analyzers, cable/antenna analyzers, PIM testers, OTDR, CW signal generators, and RF scanners
  • Ability to read construction drawings, iBwave designs, and RF schematics
  • Basic networking and LAN configuration for DAS management and remote monitoring
  • Experience wiring DC power plants and low-voltage circuits
  • Clear written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting results to clients, carriers, and inspectors.
  • Ability to work independently, travel regularly, and hold a valid driver’s license

  Nice to have

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field (equivalent field experience considered)
  • Experience on both cellular and public safety networks
  • OEM certifications (e.g., CommScope, JMA, SOLiD, ADRF) or industry credentials such as NICET, iBwave, or FCC GROL
  • Familiarity with NFPA 1221/1225, IFC 510, and local AHJ requirements for ERCES
  • Experience with carrier integration and LTE/5G NR KPIs on large venues or neutral-host systems
  • Exposure to small cells, private LTE/5G (CBRS), or Wi-Fi
  • Experience mentoring or leading field technicians

  Tools and Platforms

  Category / Examples

  • DAS / BDA OEMs
  • JMA, ADRF, CommScope, Comba, Fiplex, Nextivity, SOLiD, Corning
  • Spectrum analyzer, cable and antenna analyzer, PIM tester, OTDR, CW signal generator, power meter
  • Survey and data collection
  • RF scanners, UE-based data collection, post-processing software
  • Design and documentation

  Work environment

  • Active construction sites, ceilings, risers, telecom rooms, and rooftops
  • Climbing ladders, lifting and carrying test equipment up to 50 lbs, and working in tight spaces
  • Occasional after-hours or weekend work for cutovers, inspections, and urgent trouble tickets

  Compensation:

  • $100K-$125K
  • We have listed this salary range with a good-faith minimum and maximum compensation. The final salary will vary depending on factors like experience, geographic location, and skills.

  At Airtower Networks we recognize our ultimate success depends on our talented and dedicated workforce. We understand the contribution each employee makes to our accomplishments and so our goal is to provide a comprehensive program of competitive benefits to attract and retain the best employees available.

  • Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision
  • FSA/HSA
  • Retirement: 401(k) with 5% match
  • Paid time off
  • 10 Paid Holidays
  • Paid parental leave
  • Company-paid life insurance policy
  • Company vehicle or mileage reimbursement, phone, and test equipment
  • Paid OEM training and certifications
  • Voluntary Insurances (Employee, Spouse/Partner, Child)
  • o STD/LTD
  • o Life Insurance
  • o Critical Illness Insurance
  • o Identity Theft Protection

  Company Core Values & Beliefs:

  • Honesty: We believe in transparent and straightforward communication, both internally and with our clients, building trust at every step.
  • Delivery Excellence: We are committed to delivering high-quality results and exceeding customer expectations on every project.
  • Work Hard: Airtower’s culture is built on dedication and persistence, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible service.
  • Stay Humble: We value humility in our approach, always learning from our experiences and striving for improvement.
  • Perpetual Learners: Innovation and growth are at the heart of our operations. We stay ahead of industry trends and continually adapt to the evolving landscape of wireless technology.

  Equal opportunity

  Airtower Networks believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a company. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

  Airtower Networks is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

  Airtower is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.