Senior Telecom RF Engineer

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Training & certs

Hybrid work

Relocation assistance

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa invites a Senior RF Engineer to join a telecoms infrastructure team in Nelspruit. This hybrid role focuses on design, optimization, and performance analysis of 4G/5G networks to ensure optimal coverage, quality, and capacity across designated service areas.

You will lead RF planning, site surveys, interference mitigation, and propagation modeling, using Atoll/Planet and RF measurement tools.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of RF engineering experience for mobile networks.
• In-depth knowledge of RF principles, cellular technologies (GSM, UMTS, LTE, 5G).
• Proficiency with RF planning tools such as Atoll and Planet.
• Experience with RF measurement equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators).
• Ability to travel within the designated region.

Responsibilities

• Design and plan RF network deployments, including site selection and frequency planning.
• Conduct RF site surveys and drive tests to assess performance.
• Analyze RF data to optimize coverage, capacity, and quality.
• Perform interference analysis and mitigation.
• Develop RF propagation models and simulate scenarios.
• Specify RF equipment, including antennas and base station components.
• Troubleshoot RF issues and support field teams.
• Stay current with 5G NR and other wireless tech.
• Collaborate with other engineering teams and present findings.

Skills

RF engineering

Propagation modeling

Antenna design

RF measurement

Drive tests

Cellular tech

5G NR

RF planning tools

Cloud-native RAN

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Atoll

Planet

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Drive test tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent telecommunications infrastructure company, is seeking a highly experienced Senior RF Engineer to join their expanding team in Nelspruit . This role will focus on the design, optimization, and performance analysis of radio frequency (RF) networks, including cellular (4G/5G) and other wireless communication systems. You will be responsible for ensuring optimal signal coverage, quality, and capacity across designated service areas. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in RF principles, propagation modeling, antenna systems, and the use of advanced RF measurement tools. This hybrid position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the enhancement of wireless communication networks in the Mpumalanga region and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and plan RF network deployments, including site selection, antenna placement, and frequency planning.
• Conduct RF site surveys and drive tests to evaluate network performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Analyze RF data and performance metrics to optimize network coverage, capacity, and quality.
• Perform interference analysis and implement solutions to mitigate signal degradation.
• Develop RF propagation models and simulate network performance under various conditions.
• Specify RF equipment, including antennas, feeders, and base station components.
• Troubleshoot RF-related issues and provide technical expertise to field operations teams.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in RF technology, including 5G NR standards.
• Collaborate with other engineering teams to ensure integrated network solutions.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings and recommendations to management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in RF engineering for mobile networks.
• In-depth knowledge of RF principles, cellular technologies (GSM, UMTS, LTE, 5G), and wireless propagation.
• Proficiency with RF planning and optimization tools (e.g., Atoll, Planet).
• Experience with RF measurement equipment (e.g., spectrum analyzers, signal generators, drive test tools).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Experience with antenna system design and optimization.
• Familiarity with cloud-native RAN architectures is a plus.
• Ability to travel within the designated region as needed.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for advanced training and professional certifications.
• Exposure to cutting-edge wireless technologies.
• Hybrid work arrangement providing work-life balance.
• Relocation assistance may be available for highly qualified candidates.
• Be part of a team driving advancements in mobile connectivity.