Senior RF Planning Engineer

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car or travel allowance

Performance bonuses

Comprehensive medical aid and pension

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni, Gauteng seeks a Senior RF Planning Engineer to design and optimize RF networks for 2G–5G deployments. You will conduct drive tests, analyze performance data, and apply advanced planning tools to ensure strong coverage and capacity.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in RF planning, solid antenna/propagation knowledge, and experience with Atoll or Planet. Collaboration with site teams and adherence to regulations are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Telecommunications Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years in RF planning and optimization for mobile networks.
• Strong knowledge of RF propagation, antennas, and cellular tech (GSM/UMTS/LTE/NR).
• Proficiency with Atoll, Planet or similar tools; experience with RF measurements.
• Analytical, problem-solving and effective communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize RF network designs for newSite deployments and upgrades (2G-5G).
• Perform drive tests, analyze RF data and identify network improvements.
• RF planning incl. antenna selection, coverage, capacity and interference analysis.
• Use Atoll, Planet for simulations and optimization.
• Coordinate with site acquisition to secure suitable base station locations.
• Ensure designs comply with regulations and industry standards.
• Troubleshoot RF issues reported by operations and care teams.
• Mentor junior RF engineers and share best practices.
• Stay updated on latest mobile RF technologies.

Skills

RF planning

Drive testing

Antenna theory

Propagation models

Analytical skills

Teamwork

5G NR planning

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Telecommunications specialization

Tools

Atoll

Planet

Drive test tools

Job description

About the Role Our client, a key player in the South African telecommunications landscape, is seeking a highly experienced Senior RF Planning Engineer to contribute to their network development initiatives in Benoni, Gauteng . This role is crucial for designing and optimizing radio frequency (RF) networks, ensuring superior coverage, capacity, and quality of service. You will be responsible for site acquisition planning, RF design simulations, interference analysis, and performance tuning of mobile network infrastructure. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of RF principles, propagation models, and advanced planning tools, coupled with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. This is an excellent opportunity to leverage your expertise in Benoni and significantly impact the performance of our client's mobile network.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize RF network designs for new site deployments and existing network upgrades (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G).
• Conduct drive tests, analyze RF performance data, and identify areas for network improvement.
• Perform detailed RF planning, including antenna selection, coverage and capacity planning, and interference analysis.
• Utilize advanced RF planning tools (e.g., Atoll, Planet) for network simulation and optimization.
• Collaborate with site acquisition teams to identify and secure suitable locations for new base stations.
• Ensure network designs comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve RF-related issues reported by network operations and customer care teams.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in mobile RF engineering.
• Mentor and guide junior RF engineers, sharing knowledge and best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in RF planning and optimization for mobile networks.
• In-depth knowledge of RF propagation principles, antenna theory, and cellular network technologies (GSM, UMTS, LTE, NR).
• Proficiency with RF planning and optimization tools such as Atoll, Planet, or similar.
• Experience with RF measurement tools and drive testing analysis.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Experience with 5G NR planning and deployment is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple project priorities in the Benoni area.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and expertise.
• Performance-driven bonuses and incentives.
• Comprehensive medical aid, life insurance, and retirement fund benefits.
• Opportunities for advanced training, certifications, and professional development.
• Company car or travel allowance.
• Exposure to cutting-edge mobile network technologies.
• Positive and collaborative work environment.