Radio Access Network (RAN) Engineer

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Annual bonus

Remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Radio Access Network (RAN) Engineer for Rustenburg, North West, to help expand and optimize 4G/5G infrastructure. The role emphasizes planning, deployment, and performance management of RAN assets to ensure excellent mobile connectivity.

The successful candidate will analyze KPIs, manage interference, and collaborate with vendors on upgrades while keeping pace with Open RAN and cloud-native trends. Flexible work arrangements are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in RAN engineering, with a focus on 4G/LTE and 5G technologies.
• In-depth knowledge of RAN components (e.g., base stations, antennas, transport).
• Experience with RAN planning and optimization tools.
• Strong understanding of cellular network principles, protocols, and air interface technologies.
• Familiarity with spectrum management and interference analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills, able to liaise with technical and non-technical personnel.

Responsibilities

• Designing, planning, and deploying 4G/LTE and 5G NR RAN solutions.
• Monitoring RAN performance, identifying KPIs, and implementing optimization strategies to enhance network quality and capacity.
• Troubleshooting and resolving RAN-related issues, including interference, coverage gaps, and capacity constraints.
• Conducting site surveys, acceptance testing, and commissioning of new RAN sites.
• Collaborating with vendor partners on hardware and software upgrades and new feature introductions.
• Analyzing traffic patterns and network load to ensure efficient resource utilization in Rustenburg.
• Keeping abreast of the latest developments in RAN technology, including Open RAN and cloud-native RAN architectures.
• Preparing detailed reports on network performance, project status, and technical recommendations for stakeholders.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and company policies for network operations in North West.

Skills

RAN engineering

RAN planning

Optimization

Interference analysis

Open RAN

Cloud-native RAN

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Telecommunications / CS

Tools

RAN planning tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the mobile telecommunications sector, is seeking a highly competent Radio Access Network (RAN) Engineer to contribute to their network expansion and optimization efforts in **Rustenburg, North West**. This role focuses on the planning, deployment, and performance management of 4G and 5G RAN infrastructure. You will be instrumental in ensuring seamless mobile connectivity and delivering a superior user experience. The position requires a deep understanding of RAN technologies, performance metrics, and optimization techniques. This is a significant opportunity for a seasoned RAN Engineer to make a substantial impact within a forward-thinking organization. The role is structured to allow for flexible work arrangements, recognizing the importance of work-life balance for our technical experts.

Key Responsibilities

• Designing, planning, and deploying 4G/LTE and 5G NR RAN solutions.
• Monitoring RAN performance, identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and implementing optimization strategies to enhance network quality and capacity.
• Troubleshooting and resolving RAN-related issues, including interference, coverage gaps, and capacity constraints.
• Conducting site surveys, acceptance testing, and commissioning of new RAN sites.
• Collaborating with vendor partners on hardware and software upgrades and new feature introductions.
• Analyzing traffic patterns and network load to ensure efficient resource utilization in **Rustenburg**.
• Keeping abreast of the latest developments in RAN technology, including Open RAN and cloud-native RAN architectures.
• Preparing detailed reports on network performance, project status, and technical recommendations for stakeholders.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and company policies for network operations in **North West**.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in RAN engineering, with a focus on 4G/LTE and 5G technologies.
• In-depth knowledge of RAN components (e.g., base stations, antennas, transport).
• Experience with RAN planning and optimization tools.
• Strong understanding of cellular network principles, protocols, and air interface technologies.
• Familiarity with spectrum management and interference analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills, able to liaise with technical and non-technical personnel.
• Prior experience in the **North West** region's telecom environment is advantageous.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Performance incentives and annual bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Generous paid time off and public holidays.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional certifications.
• Remote work flexibility, enabling a better work-life integration.