Senior Radio Access Network (RAN) Engineer

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance bonuses

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein seeks a Senior Radio Access Network Engineer to lead design, deployment, optimization, and maintenance of RAN components for 4G LTE and 5G NR networks. You will drive performance analysis, drive tests, and vendor collaboration to ensure high-quality service delivery.

Applicants should have 7+ years in RAN engineering and strong experience with Ericsson, Huawei or Nokia equipment, RF planning tools and drive tests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Telecommunications Engineering.
• 7+ years of RAN engineering experience.
• Strong 4G LTE and 5G NR expertise.
• Experience with major vendor RAN equipment.
• Experience with RF planning and drive tests.
• Knowledge of interference management, handover, capacity planning.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Certifications in mobile networks advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design and plan RAN sites and network architecture, considering coverage, capacity, and performance requirements.
• Oversee the deployment and commissioning of new RAN equipment and software upgrades.
• Conduct performance analysis, drive testing, and implement optimization techniques to improve network quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex RAN-related issues, ensuring minimal service disruption.
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate new RAN technologies and solutions.
• Ensure adherence to technical standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive RAN network documentation, including configuration files and performance reports.
• Collaborate with core network and transport teams to ensure seamless end-to-end service delivery.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior RAN engineers.

Skills

RAN engineering

4G LTE

5G NR

RF planning tools

Drive tests

Interference management

Capacity planning

Vendor relations

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Telecommunications Engineering

Tools

Ericsson equipment

Huawei equipment

Nokia equipment

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the telecommunications infrastructure sector, is seeking an experienced Senior Radio Access Network (RAN) Engineer to join their operations team in Bloemfontein. This role is vital for the design, deployment, optimization, and maintenance of our mobile network's RAN components, ensuring high-performance and reliable service delivery. You will be instrumental in managing the evolution of our cellular networks, including 4G LTE and 5G technologies. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply your deep technical expertise in radio access networks within a collaborative team environment in the Free State, South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and plan RAN sites and network architecture, considering coverage, capacity, and performance requirements.
• Oversee the deployment and commissioning of new RAN equipment and software upgrades.
• Conduct performance analysis, drive testing, and implement optimization techniques to improve network quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex RAN-related issues, ensuring minimal service disruption.
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate new RAN technologies and solutions.
• Ensure adherence to technical standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive RAN network documentation, including configuration files and performance reports.
• Collaborate with core network and transport teams to ensure seamless end-to-end service delivery.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior RAN engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in Radio Access Network engineering.
• Strong expertise in 4G LTE and 5G NR RAN technologies and architectures.
• Proficiency with RAN equipment from major vendors (e.g., Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia).
• Experience with RF planning tools, propagation modeling, and drive test analysis tools.
• Solid understanding of cellular network principles, including interference management, handover, and capacity planning.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective team collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Relevant certifications in mobile network technologies are highly advantageous.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, retirement fund, and performance bonuses. Employees benefit from a challenging and rewarding work environment with ample opportunities for professional development and career progression within the telecommunications industry. This role is based in Bloemfontein, offering a chance to make a significant impact on local and national mobile connectivity.