Senior RAN Engineer - LTE/5G

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary and bonuses

Medical aid & retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior RAN Engineer to design, deploy, optimize, and troubleshoot LTE and 5G RAN for a Polokwane-based team. The role blends in-office collaboration with remote work flexibility and requires deep knowledge of radio access technologies, performance metrics, and cross-team coordination.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in RAN engineering with LTE/5G exposure, understands RF propagation and antennas, and has hands-on experience with major vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in RAN engineering with LTE and 5G exposure.
• Strong knowledge of RAN principles: RF propagation, antennas, modulation techniques.
• Hands-on experience with RAN equipment from major vendors such as Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain LTE and 5G RAN solutions.
• Perform network performance analysis and implement optimization strategies.
• Troubleshoot RAN issues, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain RAN configuration templates and documentation.
• Collaborate with Core, Transport, and IT teams for integrated network performance.
• Stay updated on RAN technologies, trends, and vendor offerings.
• Plan and execute software upgrades and hardware modifications for RAN equipment.
• Support planning and rollout of new sites and network features.

Skills

RAN engineering

LTE

5G

RF propagation

Antenna systems

Modulation techniques

Performance analysis

Root cause analysis

Vendor equipment

RAN tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Telecommunications related field

Tools

RAN planning tools

Optimization tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading telecommunications network operator, is seeking a Senior RAN Engineer specializing in LTE and 5G technologies to join their Polokwane-based team. This is a hybrid role, offering a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. You will be responsible for the design, deployment, optimization, and troubleshooting of the Radio Access Network (RAN) for both LTE and 5G. This position requires a strong understanding of radio access technologies, performance metrics, and the ability to drive continuous improvement in network quality and coverage. You will work closely with other engineering teams to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance of the overall mobile network. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the expansion and enhancement of mobile services.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain LTE and 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions.
• Perform network performance analysis, identify areas for improvement, and implement optimization strategies.
• Troubleshoot RAN issues, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain RAN configuration templates and documentation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Core, Transport, IT) to ensure integrated network performance.
• Stay updated on the latest RAN technologies, trends, and vendor offerings.
• Plan and execute software upgrades and hardware modifications for RAN equipment.
• Support the planning and rollout of new sites and network features.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in RAN engineering, with significant exposure to both LTE and 5G technologies.
• In-depth knowledge of RAN principles, including RF propagation, antenna systems, and modulation techniques.
• Hands-on experience with RAN equipment from major vendors (e.g., Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia).
• Familiarity with RAN planning and optimization tools.
• Strong understanding of mobile network architecture and protocols.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a hybrid work setting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and training in cutting-edge RAN technologies.
• Hybrid work model for a flexible work-life balance.
• Exposure to a leading telecommunications network.
• Generous annual leave and other company perks.