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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wireless Assistant

💰 $ - $

🎯 Role Definition

The Wireless Assistant supports deployment, optimization, and day‑to‑day operations of wireless systems (Wi‑Fi, LTE, 5G and private wireless). This role works closely with RF engineers, field technicians, project managers and customers to perform site surveys, install and test radio equipment and antennas, gather diagnostic data, document work performed, and escalate issues for rapid resolution. The Wireless Assistant is a technical contributor in the field and office, helping deliver reliable wireless coverage and performance across commercial, industrial, and enterprise environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Cable Technician or Low‑Voltage Installer
  • Junior Field Technician or Installer
  • Help Desk / Technical Support for networking

Advancement To:

  • RF / Wireless Technician
  • RF Optimization Engineer
  • Field Engineer or Senior Wireless Technician
  • Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician
  • Wireless Project Coordinator or Project Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Customer Success / Technical Account Specialist
  • Wireless Sales Engineer
  • Installation Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist with the installation and alignment of wireless radios, antennas, and associated cabling on rooftops, towers, utility poles and indoor locations following site plans, safety procedures and industry best practices.
  • Perform on‑site Wi‑Fi and cellular site surveys using industry tools (e.g., Ekahau, AirMagnet, spectrum analyzers) to measure signal strength, interference, channel utilization and coverage maps, and provide actionable recommendations.
  • Execute cable termination, connectorization and basic fiber handling (rack and patch, testing, and simple troubleshooting) to ensure reliable physical layer connectivity for radio and access point equipment.
  • Configure, commission and reboot wireless access points, small cells and customer premises equipment (CPE) under guidance, including basic firmware updates, SSID configuration and VLAN tagging.
  • Collect, label and upload diagnostic data (log files, packet captures, spectrum traces) to centralized systems and summarize key findings for escalation to RF engineers or back‑office teams.
  • Conduct RF optimization tasks under supervision such as channel planning, power adjustments, antenna downtilt/uptilt, and simple re‑radiation tests to reduce interference and improve coverage.
  • Operate portable test instruments (RF spectrum analyzer, signal level meters, Wi‑Fi analyzers, OTDR for fiber verification) to verify installations and validate performance against acceptance criteria.
  • Implement basic troubleshooting workflows for customer‑reported wireless issues — replicate problems, document steps and results, and execute predefined remediation procedures.
  • Support tower and rooftop climbs when qualified, including rigging of antennas and cabling while following fall‑protection and site‑specific safety plans.
  • Coordinate logistics for field activities: schedule site access, confirm permissions, stage equipment, and liaise with site owners and third‑party contractors to minimize downtime and delays.
  • Maintain accurate as‑built and handover documentation including radio parameters, antenna orientation, azimuth, tilt, mounting heights, cable routes and spare parts used.
  • Assist with rollout activities for upgrades (e.g., Wi‑Fi 6/6E, LTE‑Advanced, 5G NR) by preparing sites, staging hardware and documenting pre‑ and post‑upgrade performance metrics.
  • Execute preventative maintenance and health checks on wireless infrastructure, replacing failed units and performing firmware and configuration consistency checks as directed.
  • Support indoor wireless deployments: install ceiling and wall‑mount access points, conceal cabling, validate PoE power delivery and verify performance in occupied spaces with minimal disruption.
  • Escalate complex RF, network or hardware faults to senior engineers with clear, prioritized findings and recommended next steps, ensuring rapid incident resolution.
  • Manage inventory of radios, antennas, cables and test equipment; track serial numbers, update inventory systems and request replenishment to support ongoing deployments.
  • Provide on‑site customer communication and basic technical education — explain diagnostics, timelines and immediate remedial steps in customer‑friendly terms.
  • Follow and document compliance with health, safety and environmental policies on every site visit, including lockout/tagout, OSHA guidelines and local permit requirements.
  • Participate in post‑installation acceptance testing, validate SLAs for throughput and latency, and obtain customer sign‑off on completed work orders.
  • Assist in creating standardized installation checklists, test plans and runbooks to improve first‑time‑fix rates and ensure consistent delivery across teams.
  • Support remote troubleshooting and monitoring activities during off‑hours or planned maintenance windows when scheduled, following clear escalation and reporting procedures.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement by reporting recurring issues, suggesting process or tooling enhancements and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to implement solutions.

Secondary Functions

  • Help maintain and organize the team’s test equipment calibration schedules and vendor service records.
  • Support ad‑hoc field data collection projects and proof‑of‑concept testing for new radio hardware or antenna designs.
  • Participate in training sessions and peer mentoring to level up junior field staff on safety, tools and installation best practices.
  • Contribute to job costing and time tracking by accurately recording hours, materials used and travel time for each assignment.
  • Assist planners and project managers with site readiness checks including power, grounding, space availability and backhaul connectivity verification.
  • Maintain up‑to‑date site documentation in the company’s GIS or asset management system, uploading photos, drawings and test reports.
  • Perform basic configuration and verification tasks in network management systems (NMS) and ticketing platforms following documented procedures.
  • Support RMA logistics by packaging and returning defective components and tracking replacements to minimize customer impact.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Strong understanding of RF fundamentals: path loss, link budget, antenna patterns, polarization and propagation effects in indoor and outdoor environments.
  • Hands‑on experience with Wi‑Fi standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) and familiarity with SSID, security modes (WPA2/WPA3), and basic VLAN configuration.
  • Basic knowledge of cellular technologies (GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE‑Advanced, and introductory 5G NR concepts) and small cell/CPE installation procedures.
  • Proficiency using site survey and RF planning tools such as Ekahau, iBwave, AirMagnet or equivalent to create heatmaps and capacity plans.
  • Ability to operate RF test equipment and interpret results from spectrum analyzers, signal level meters, Wi‑Fi packet captures and basic OTDR readings for fiber.
  • Practical skills in cable termination (coax, CAT6/6A), connector installation (N‑type, SMA, RJ45), and basic fiber handling and testing procedures.
  • Familiarity with network basics: IP addressing, DHCP, DNS, TCP/IP troubleshooting and the ability to read network diagrams and port configurations.
  • Competence in documenting technical work: producing test reports, as‑built drawings, and updating asset management and ticketing systems.
  • Experience with handheld tools and safety gear used in field work, including multimeters, torque wrenches, lift platforms, and fall protection equipment.
  • Basic scripting or data handling skills (CSV, Excel, parsing logs) to aggregate test results and prepare concise reports for engineers.
  • Working knowledge of common vendor equipment and management interfaces (basic CLI/GUI navigation for access points, radios and switches).
  • Familiarity with change control, installation checklists and acceptance testing procedures to meet quality and SLA requirements.

Soft Skills

  • Clear, customer‑centric communication; able to explain technical findings in plain language to stakeholders and site contacts.
  • Strong problem‑solving mindset with the ability to follow diagnostic processes and escalate with concise, prioritized information.
  • Excellent time management and ability to organize multiple site visits, inventory, and documentation to meet deadlines.
  • Team player comfortable working with cross‑functional teams and sharing knowledge to improve overall delivery.
  • High attention to detail to ensure accurate as‑built records, safe installations and reliable test result interpretation.
  • Adaptability to changing schedules, weather conditions, and varying site environments while maintaining professionalism.
  • Accountability and ownership of tasks, including follow‑through on open tickets and clear reporting of completion status.
  • Customer service orientation: patience, diplomacy and responsiveness when interacting with clients and stakeholders.
  • Safety mindset and compliance with regulatory and company safety procedures at all times.
  • Continuous learner attitude — willingness to pursue certifications and training for evolving wireless technologies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED with vocational training or certifications in telecommunications, networking, or electrical trades.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or technical diploma in Telecommunications, Electronics, Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Networking, or related field.
  • Relevant vendor certifications (e.g., Ekahau Certified Surveyor, Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+, manufacturer‑specific training) are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Telecommunications / Wireless Communications
  • Electronics / Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Computer Networking / Information Technology
  • RF Engineering Foundations

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years of hands‑on field or entry‑level experience in wireless installations, low‑voltage cabling, or technical support.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years supporting wireless deployments, performing site surveys and working with RF test equipment in enterprise or carrier environments.
  • Demonstrated experience in field safety procedures, basic tower or rooftop work (when required), and maintaining accurate field documentation.
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