Principal Radio Network Planner

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Annual bonus

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Radio Network Planner in Pretoria, South Africa, to lead long-term RAN strategy and optimization for 4G/LTE and 5G networks. The role blends technical planning with strategic leadership and cross-functional collaboration in a hybrid work setup.

You will guide capacity planning, tool-led design (Atoll, Planet), and performance analysis, while mentoring junior engineers and coordinating with RF, operations, and strategy teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in mobile radio network planning and optimization.
• Experience with 4G/LTE and 5G NR planning parameters.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term radio network strategic plans focusing on capacity, coverage and performance.
• Lead cell site deployments including site acquisition support and RF parameter planning.

Skills

Radio planning

Strategic planning

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Electrical Engineering

Telecommunications Engineering

Tools

Atoll

Planet RFM

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the telecoms industry, is actively seeking a highly experienced Principal Radio Network Planner to join their innovative team in Pretoria, Gauteng. This senior role is critical for the strategic planning, design, and optimization of the company's radio access network (RAN), ensuring superior mobile coverage and capacity across its service areas. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in mobile network technologies (4G/LTE, 5G), network planning tools, and performance analysis. You will be responsible for long-term network evolution strategies, capacity planning, and new technology introduction. This position requires a blend of technical acumen, strategic foresight, and strong analytical skills. The role involves significant collaboration with RF engineering, operations, and strategy teams. We offer a hybrid working arrangement, providing a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, located in our state-of-the-art facilities in Pretoria. This is an excellent opportunity to influence the direction of mobile communications infrastructure in South Africa and to work on groundbreaking projects within a reputable organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and refine long-term radio network strategic plans, focusing on capacity, coverage, and performance enhancements for 4G/LTE and 5G networks.
• Lead the planning and design of new cell site deployments, including site acquisition support and RF parameter planning.
• Utilize advanced network planning tools (e.g., Atoll, Planet) for detailed radio network design, simulation, and optimization.
• Conduct comprehensive radio network performance analysis, identifying areas for improvement and recommending optimization strategies.
• Perform capacity planning and traffic forecasting to ensure the network can meet current and future demand.
• Evaluate and plan for the introduction of new radio access technologies and features.
• Collaborate closely with RF engineers, operations teams, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless network deployment and performance.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to junior network planning engineers.
• Stay current with industry trends, competitor analysis, and evolving mobile technologies.

Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or a related technical field.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in mobile radio network planning and optimization.
• Extensive experience with 4G/LTE and 5G NR radio access technologies and their planning parameters.
• Proficiency in using industry-standard radio network planning and simulation tools (e.g., Atoll, Planet RFM).
• Strong understanding of propagation models, interference analysis, and network optimization techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity planning, traffic forecasting, and dimensioning for mobile networks.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information effectively.
• Experience working with major South African telecoms operators is highly advantageous.
• Located in or willing to relocate to the Pretoria area.

Benefits

• A highly competitive annual salary package up ZAR.
• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance coverage.
• Performance-based annual bonus.
• Retirement annuity with generous employer contributions.
• Extensive opportunities for professional development, training, and international conferences.
• Access to leading-edge planning tools and technologies.
• A stimulating and innovative work environment in Pretoria.
• Hybrid work arrangement promoting work-life balance.