Principal RF Planning Engineer

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Medical and dental coverage

Pension fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Rustenburg, North West invites an experienced Principal RF Planning Engineer to lead strategic RF network planning for 5G and LTE. You will drive site surveys, propagation modeling, interference mitigation, and design guideline development, guiding cross-functional teams to deliver robust coverage and capacity.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s in Electrical Engineering with RF specialization and 8+ years in mobile network planning, with Atoll/Planet tools and 5G NR expertise.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with RF specialization.
• Minimum 8 years' progressive RF planning and optimization experience for mobile networks.
• Experience with RF planning tools (Atoll, Planet) and RF propagation models.
• Strong knowledge of 5G NR and LTE air interfaces.
• Experience in spectrum analysis and interference mitigation.
• Proven project management of complex RF planning initiatives.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Experience working in North West province is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term RF network strategy and deployment plans for 5G and LTE.
• Conduct RF site surveys, propagation modeling, and interference analysis.
• Optimize network parameters to improve coverage, capacity, and call quality.
• Perform capacity planning and forecast future needs based on traffic growth.
• Evaluate RF equipment including antennas and base stations.
• Lead analysis of RF performance metrics and identify improvements.
• Develop and maintain RF design guidelines and best practices.
• Collaborate with deployment and operations teams for successful implementations.
• Mentor junior RF engineers and share technical expertise.

Skills

RF engineering

5G NR

LTE

Radio spectrum management

Analytical thinking

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering (RF)

Tools

Atoll

Planet

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the telecommunications sector, is looking for a distinguished Principal RF Planning Engineer to join their esteemed technical division in Rustenburg, North West . This senior position is responsible for the strategic planning and optimization of radio frequency (RF) networks, ensuring superior coverage, capacity, and quality across our client's service areas. You will lead critical initiatives related to 5G and LTE network expansion and enhancement, utilizing advanced planning tools and methodologies. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in RF propagation, antenna systems, and spectrum management, coupled with a strong analytical mindset and the ability to guide complex projects. This is a career-defining opportunity for an expert in RF engineering to influence the technological roadmap of a major telecommunications player. We are seeking an individual with a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence in network performance. Your contributions will directly impact the quality of service delivered to millions of users. We provide a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term RF network strategy and deployment plans for 5G and LTE technologies.
• Conduct detailed RF site surveys, propagation modeling, and interference analysis.
• Optimize network parameters to enhance coverage, capacity, and call quality.
• Perform capacity planning and forecast future network needs based on traffic growth and new services.
• Evaluate and select appropriate RF equipment, including antennas and base stations.
• Lead the analysis of RF performance metrics and identify areas for improvement.
• Develop and maintain RF design guidelines and best practices.
• Collaborate with network deployment and operations teams to ensure successful implementation of RF plans.
• Mentor junior RF engineers and provide technical expertise.
• Stay current with RF technologies, standards (e.g., 3GPP), and competitor activities.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in RF Engineering or Telecommunications.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in RF planning and optimization for mobile networks.
• Expertise in RF planning tools such as Atoll, Planet, or similar.
• In-depth knowledge of RF propagation models, antenna theory, and radio link budgets.
• Strong understanding of 5G NR, LTE, and their associated air interface technologies.
• Experience with spectrum analysis and interference mitigation techniques.
• Proven ability to manage complex RF planning projects from conception to completion.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.
• Experience working in the North West province is advantageous.

Benefits

• a highly competitive salary
• an attractive annual performance bonus
• comprehensive medical and dental coverage
• a generous pension fund
• significant investment in professional development and continuous training
• paid annual leave and other company-specific perks