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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wireless Consultant

💰 $ - $

TelecommunicationsWirelessRF EngineeringNetwork Planning

🎯 Role Definition

A Wireless Consultant provides technical leadership and hands-on delivery across the wireless network lifecycle: site surveys, RF design, capacity planning, performance optimization, testing, and post-deployment support. This role partners with operators, system integrators, vendors and construction teams to ensure network requirements are met for capacity, coverage, throughput, latency and reliability across macro, small cell and indoor DAS environments. The consultant leverages RF tools, drive-test data, propagation models and spectrum knowledge to translate business needs into pragmatic network solutions for 4G LTE, LTE-A and 5G NR technologies.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • RF Engineer / Junior RF Planner
  • Field Test Technician / Drive Test Engineer
  • Telecom Project Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Wireless Consultant / RF Solutions Lead
  • RAN Architect / Network Optimization Manager
  • Wireless Solutions Architect or Program Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Systems Integration Engineer
  • Site Acquisition / Construction Project Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead RF network design and planning for LTE and 5G NR projects, including link budget calculations, antenna selection, azimuth/tilt optimization, and capacity forecasts to meet coverage and KPIs.
  • Develop detailed indoor DAS and small cell designs using iBwave and other indoor modeling tools; produce installation drawings, BOMs, and cabling schematics for multi-floor venues.
  • Perform site surveys and feasibility studies: evaluate RF propagation, identify candidate sites, assess backhaul availability, power and structural constraints, and produce site pickup reports.
  • Conduct drive tests, walk-tests and benchmarking using TEMS, Nemo, Keysight or similar tools; analyze KPI data (RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, throughput) and provide evidence-based remediation plans.
  • Optimize RAN performance through parameter tuning, neighbor relation management, handover optimization, interference mitigation, and capacity rebalancing for improved user experience.
  • Create accurate propagation models and simulations in Atoll, Planet, Mentum or similar, calibrate models with field measurements, and refine predictions for urban, suburban and indoor scenarios.
  • Design and specify multi-vendor RAN solutions (Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, Samsung) and coordinate vendor integration to ensure feature interoperability and KPIs.
  • Drive network energy and cost optimization projects, including cell consolidation, decommissioning, carrier re-farming and traffic steering strategies to reduce OPEX while preserving QoS.
  • Produce detailed RF documentation: RF plans, RFIs/RFPs, BOMs, acceptance test plans (ATP), site build packages and as-built records for delivery and audit.
  • Provide technical leadership during installation and commissioning: supervise RF acceptance tests, tune parameters, validate coverage and throughput targets and sign-off on site handovers.
  • Lead interference analysis and resolution initiatives, including identification of co-channel, adjacent channel and intermodulation sources, and design mitigation strategies (filters, power adjustments, antenna reorientation).
  • Define capacity planning and forecasting models based on traffic trends, subscriber growth, and service mix; recommend site additions, sector upgrades and spectrum refarming.
  • Collaborate with backhaul, transport and core teams to ensure network resilience: evaluate microwave/ fiber backhaul capacity, latency, SLA requirements and redundancy options.
  • Support OSS/BSS alignment: define KPI thresholds, alarms and reporting requirements; assist in designing dashboards for performance monitoring and SLA management.
  • Perform spectrum planning and coordination: calculate frequency reuse, channel assignments, MIMO configuration and cross-sector planning to maximize spectral efficiency.
  • Lead root-cause analysis for customer-impacting incidents, prepare corrective action reports, and implement preventive measures to avoid recurrence.
  • Manage multi-disciplinary project timelines, coordinate contractors and vendors, and act as the technical point-of-contact for operators and enterprise customers during rollout.
  • Provide design review and quality assurance for third-party delivered RF artifacts, ensuring compliance with RF standards, safety regulations and site structural requirements.
  • Develop and deliver technical training and knowledge transfer sessions for operators, field teams and junior engineers on RF tools, best practices and troubleshooting methodologies.
  • Prepare technical proposals, cost estimates and solution rationales for new business opportunities; participate in pre-sales discussions to translate customer requirements into viable network designs.
  • Ensure regulatory compliance: support spectrum licensing processes, advise on emission limits, and maintain documentation for audits and regulatory filings.
  • Drive adoption of automation and scripting (Python, MATLAB) to accelerate RF analysis, KPI extraction, reporting and repetitive tasks.

Secondary Functions

  • Support customer-specific performance reviews and executive summaries, translating technical outcomes into business impact and recommended roadmap actions.
  • Assist procurement teams with technical vendor evaluations and RF equipment specifications to ensure alignment with performance and lifecycle requirements.
  • Provide on-call support during major network incidents or critical launches, coordinate triage across RAN, core and transport teams, and communicate status to stakeholders.
  • Participate in network modernization initiatives such as Massive MIMO rollouts, carrier aggregation enablement and network slicing proof-of-concepts.
  • Contribute to standardization and internal best practices: template RF design checklists, test plans and optimization playbooks for consistent delivery.
  • Mentor junior RF engineers and field technicians through structured development plans and hands-on coaching during live projects.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • RF design and planning for 4G LTE, LTE-A and 5G NR (including link budgets, MIMO, beamforming and carrier aggregation).
  • Indoor design expertise with iBwave (or equivalent) for DAS and small cell deployments.
  • Propagation modeling and simulation using Atoll, Mentum, Planet or equivalent tools; model calibration with field data.
  • Drive-test and benchmarking proficiency with TEMS, Nemo, Keysight or similar; deep familiarity with KPI analysis (RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, CQI, throughput).
  • RAN optimization techniques: handover tuning, neighbor management, interference mitigation, and scheduler configuration.
  • Practical experience with antennas, RF feeders, passive components, and RF site installation practices.
  • Knowledge of backhaul technologies (microwave, fiber) and basic IP transport considerations for RAN connectivity.
  • OSS/IT familiarity: KPI dashboards, alarm management, KPI SLA definitions and basic SQL or data extraction methods.
  • Spectrum planning, coordination and regulatory compliance across licensed and shared bands.
  • Proficiency with scripting and automation tools (Python, MATLAB, R) for data analysis and report generation.
  • Vendor interoperability and multi-vendor RAN coordination (Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, Samsung etc.).
  • Experience producing RF documentation: RFIs/RFPs, as-built drawings, ATPs and acceptance criteria.

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication: ability to produce clear technical reports and present to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Analytical problem-solving with attention to detail and evidence-based decision making.
  • Project management and coordination skills: manage schedules, vendors and cross-functional teams to deliver on milestones.
  • Customer-focused mindset: translate business requirements into pragmatic network solutions and manage expectations.
  • Adaptability and resilience: comfortable working in field conditions, travel-intensive assignments and dynamic rollouts.
  • Mentoring and team leadership: coach junior engineers and foster knowledge sharing.
  • Stakeholder management and negotiation: influence vendors, landlords and internal teams to achieve project goals.
  • Time management and prioritization across multiple simultaneous projects.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science or related technical discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree in Telecommunications, RF Engineering, Wireless Systems or MBA for senior consultant roles.
  • Professional certifications (CBRS, AWS, vendor certifications, iBwave certification) are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Telecommunications / Wireless Communications
  • Computer Science / Information Systems
  • RF Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8+ years in wireless network planning, optimization, drive testing or RF consulting.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years experience with hands-on RF planning, drive-testing and RAN optimization for mobile operators or enterprise wireless deployments.
  • Demonstrable experience across at least one major vendor RAN and familiarity with 5G NR deployments, small cells and indoor DAS projects.
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