RF Performance Engineer

Nokia Federal Solutions Inc; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid health care

Life insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Flexible paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Nokia Federal Solutions Inc in Chantilly, Virginia is seeking an experienced RF Performance Engineer to plan, execute, and analyze RF tests for 4G/5G base stations and network elements.

The role requires deep knowledge of 3GPP specs, hands-on RF test equipment, and the ability to mentor junior engineers and support customers with demonstrations and trainings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in RF performance verification, optimization, or testing within the telecommunications industry.
• Proven experience with 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR) systems.
• Expert-level understanding of 3GPP specifications for LTE and NR.
• Strong analytical and leadership skills with ability to mentor others.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and analyze RF performance verification tests for 4G and 5G base stations and network elements.
• Conduct performance testing under various RF conditions, including near-cell, cell-edge, high/low SINR, and fading environments.
• Work with different types of UEs and integrate systems from multiple vendors.
• Identify and troubleshoot performance bottlenecks and issues; deliver demonstrations and trainings to customers and internal teams.

Skills

RF test equipment

3GPP LTE/NR knowledge

L1/L2 log analysis

Leadership and mentoring

Customer communication

Automation

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field

Tools

Keysight

Rohde & Schwarz

Anritsu channel emulators

Attenuators

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Job description

Position Summary

The RF Performance Engineer role is a highly skilled and experienced RF Performance Verification Engineer to join our team, focusing on 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR) wireless communication systems. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of RF principles, 3GPP standards, and practical experience in verifying system performance under diverse RF conditions. This role also requires strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills to support customers, mentor junior engineers, and effectively showcase our cutting-edge products.

Description

At Nokia Federal Solutions (NFS), we are committed to building scalable, secure, and resilient networks that enhance government operations. Our team helps solve complex challenges for U.S. civil, defense, and intelligence sectors by providing leading end-to-end mission-critical network solutions. With a legacy backed by over 100 years of technology innovation, we are pioneers in the field. NFS is a dedicated Nokia U.S. entity focused on delivering mission-critical solutions to the U.S. Government. Join us today and contribute to helping support the mission!

Requirements

Note: Must be a U.S. citizen (due to the nature of the work involving sensitive tactical/military systems)

Key Responsibilities

• RF Performance Verification:
• Plan, execute, and analyze RF performance verification tests for 4G and 5G base stations and network elements.
• Conduct performance testing under various RF conditions, including near-cell, cell-edge, varying Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR), and fading environments.
• Work with different types of UEs.
• Identify and troubleshoot performance bottlenecks and issues.
• Technical Expertise:
• Apply in-depth knowledge of 3GPP standards for 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR) radio access networks.
• Proficiently operate and configure RF test equipment, including channel emulators, attenuators, spectrum analyzers, and other monitoring tools.
• Perform detailed L1/L2 log analysis to diagnose and resolve complex RF performance issues.
• Integrate systems from multiple vendors.
• Automation of functionality.
• Product Demonstration & Showcasing:
• Actively participate in demonstrating new and innovative wireless and wired communication products to internal and external stakeholders.
• Showcase the performance, features, and capabilities of new products, often leveraging RF test setups and verification results.
• Translate complex technical information into clear and compelling demonstrations.
• Customer Support & Engagement:
• Provide expert technical support to customers, addressing performance-related inquiries and issues.
• Lead and conduct thorough investigations into customer-reported performance problems, driving them to resolution.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive technical trainings to customers and internal teams on RF performance verification methodologies and best practices.
• Leadership & Mentorship:
• Demonstrate strong leadership qualities by mentoring fresh graduates and junior engineers.
• Guide new team members in quickly acquiring necessary skills and becoming productive contributors.
• Foster a collaborative learning environment and share knowledge effectively.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 15+ years of experience in RF performance verification, optimization, or testing within the telecommunications industry.
• Proven experience with 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR) systems.
• Technical Skills:
• Expert-level understanding of 3GPP specifications for LTE and NR.
• Hands-on experience with RF test equipment (e.g., Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, Anritsu channel emulators, attenuators, spectrum analyzers, signal generators).
• Proficiency in performance verification under diverse RF scenarios (e.g., high/low SINR, mobility, fading channels).
• Strong analytical skills for L1/L2 log analysis and data interpretation.
• Soft Skills:
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical concepts and demonstrate product capabilities to various audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a global team.

What We Offer You

• An opportunity to be a part of something bigger; a mission with real impact.
• A chance to be a part of a people-first team.
• A comprehensive range of benefits that are fair, equitable, and competitive that include the following:
• Company-paid, full coverage inclusive health care (Medical, Dental Vision), for you and your family.
• Life/Disability: Employer-paid life insurance, in addition to short-term and long-term disability.
• 401(k) Retirement Account, 6% employer contribution.
• Professional Development
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

An Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Nokia Federal Solutions Inc. is an equal opportunity employer & provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and will make hiring decisions without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, protected genetic information, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.