RF Engineer at Infratel Africa

Role Overview

The RF Engineer will be responsible for planning, optimizing, and maintaining radio access network performance across all technologies. The role is responsible for RF design, capacity planning, KPI monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization to ensure reliable network performance while supporting new site rollouts and network expansion. The role requires strong analytical capability, hands-on experience with drive test tools, RF planning software, and the ability to collaborate with field teams to ensure excellent network quality.

Key Responsibilities

RF Planning

• Perform RF planning for new site deployments and network expansions. 
• Conduct coverage and capacity analysis using planning tools. 
• Recommend site locations, radio planning and antenna configurations, 
• Produce RF design and coverage predictions. 
• Validate proposed sites for technical feasibility. 
• Support frequency planning and interference management. 

RF Optimization

• Monitor daily network KPIs and identify performance degradation. 
• Analyze drive test logs and OSS performance statistics. 
• Optimize coverage, quality, accessibility, retainability, and throughput. 
• Investigate and resolve dropped calls, blocked calls, poor LTE throughput, and coverage holes. 
• Perform parameter optimization for GSM and LTE networks. 
• Recommend corrective actions to improve customer experience. 

Performance Monitoring

• Monitor network health using OSS and NMS platforms. 
• Produce daily, weekly, and monthly KPI reports. 
• Track site availability and utilization. 
• Identify congestion and recommend capacity upgrades. 
• Monitor interference and spectrum utilization. 

New Site Acceptance

• Participate in Site Acceptance Testing (SAT). 
• Verify RF performance before site integration. 
• Confirm coverage objectives have been achieved. 
• Validate antenna installation against design specifications. 

Network Expansion

• Develop annual and quarterly RF expansion plans. 
• Recommend new sites based on traffic growth and coverage gaps. 
• Support Smart WiFi and rural broadband expansion initiatives. 
• Provide RF input during network modernization projects. 

Vendor Management

• Work with all OEMs during optimization activities. 
• Review vendor optimization reports. 
• Verify implementation of recommended parameter changes. 

Documentation

• Maintain RF design database. 
• Update frequency plans. 
• Prepare technical reports and executive summaries. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or related field. 
• 3 to 7 years of experience in RF planning and optimization. 
• Experience with GSM and LTE networks. 
• Experience with rural network deployments is an advantage. 

Technical Skills

• RF Planning 
• RF Optimization 
• Link Budget Analysis 
• Coverage Prediction 
• Frequency Planning 
• Drive Test Analysis 
• LTE KPI Analysis 
• GSM KPI Analysis 
• Interference Analysis 
• OSS Performance Monitoring 
• Spectrum Management 
• Antenna System Design 
• Propagation Modelling 
• Excel and reporting tools 

Proficiencies

All Network analysis tool e.g. Google Earth, Huawei M2000/U2020,Baicells OMC, VANU OSS, Excel, Power BI etc.

Competencies

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills. 
• Data driven decision making. 
• Ability to identify performance issues proactively. 
• Excellent technical reporting skills. 
• Effective stakeholder communication. 
• Planning and execution discipline. 
• Ability to manage multiple optimization activities simultaneously. 
• Continuous improvement mindset.