RF Engineer

Company description:

Digicel Group Limited

Job description:

Job Title:  Radio Frequency Engineer

Primary objective of the job:

• Planning of radio networks (GSM, WCDMA and LTE), determining where sites are to be located to provide service such as new and improved coverage as well as capacity. 

• Ensuring that all sites have enough resources to accommodate network traffic. 

• Maintaining predetermined radio network standards by continuously monitoring the network and optimizing radio parameters to maintain and improve network quality while fulfilling the commitment to deliver a superior superfast network experience.

Main Duties and responsibilities:

• Site Planning: The Radio Engineer initiates where an area will get coverage or additional capacity.  This is done by the use of specialized computer software as well as visiting potential sites to determine optimal location(s) to provide required/desired coverage. Support Business entities with deploying capacity solutions handling customer complaints (COWs and IBS).

• Site Surveys: Visiting potential sites with other members of the Technical department to determine if the site is suitable for all concerned and how the site will be built.  Field instruments (binoculars, compass, Global Positioning Receiver, Camera) are used during these surveys to help determine suitability. 

• Site Reports: Once a site is finalized, a document (RF Report) with details specific to the radio aspects of the site is prepared for inclusion in an overall Site Construction File. 

• Drive Testing:
  • Of New Sites: Once a site comes on air, the radio engineer has to test the site (this includes driving around the area where the site is providing coverage), to ensure that all the radio parameters are correct as well as ensure that the physical installation of antennas is done according to specifications. 
  • Of the Network:  With sites on air, the network has to be drive tested to monitor the quality. Specialist software is used to collect relevant information during the drive tests, to analyze the results and to produce pertinent printouts (drive test plots). Also, a drive test report detailing the results of the drive test is also produced.

• Radio Network Performance Monitoring:  The Radio Engineer has to continuously monitor the sites within his geographical area of responsibility with information (network statistics such as congestion and dropped calls rate) that is gathered continuously.  This information is used to request any changes of Radio Network Parameters that are required to maintain or improve Network Quality in the event that something untoward is discovered.  Liaise with Network operations center in resolving faults (includes hardware and network faults).

• Radio Network Optimization: Physical or parameter changes are needed when new sites are added to the existing network, new developments are rolled out in a sites coverage are, customer complaints,   or KPI degrades. This requires changing some or part of the entire network using specialized software, in order to effectively distribute coverage and improve network quality. 
  • Directly interfacing and driving external contractors responsible for implementing network optimization changes.
  • Developing and ensuring standards for network configuration and optimization.
  • Developing and ensuring adherence to procedures for network troubleshooting

• Frequency Re-Tuning: The frequencies for the entire network are re-planned periodically especially prior to a planned major change in number of sites or the amount of spectrum.  This is a process that involves putting together information from all sites in the network (both existing sites as well as those planned) and using software to perform a series of steps towards developing a new frequency plan which is then examined, implemented and tested. 

• Attend community meetings to present information about radio frequency radiation and present research on (health) concerns raised by citizens.
• Perform RF tests on new user equipment for the network
• Support business entities on RAN related activities
• Maintain radio database accuracy, document and track changes associated with radio optimization on the network

Academic qualifications and experience required for job:

BS in Electrical/Telecommunications Engineering or closely related field from an accredited University/College:

• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics
• Physics
• Communication
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science

Telecommunications

• The following experience would be an asset:
• Understanding of RF KPIs and PIs for GSM, UMTS and LTE
• Experience with Ericsson Configuration tools: CNA, OCE, MML, AMOS
• Experience with ZTE Configuration tools: NetNumen
• Experience with Ericsson Performance Tools: MRR, NCS, RPMO, GPEH, FFA
• Experience with ZTE Performance Tools: NetMax
• Performance Reporting with Business Objects & SQL
• Experience in Frequency Planning, Neighbor Optimization, Dropped Call Optimization, Paging Optimization, Atoll planning tool.

Functional Skills:

• Highly self-motivated individual with excellent teamwork skills combined with the discipline to work extremely well on his own if required.
• Strong organizational and communication skills involving the ability to disseminate information and knowledge whilst listening and putting into practice advice and instructions.
• Proficient in the use of basic PC applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel
• Willing to work long and odd hours at times
• Basic Database administration Skills