Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wireless Network Planner

🎯 Role Definition

The Wireless Network Planner is a technical planning specialist responsible for designing, modeling, and optimizing radio access networks (RAN) across LTE, 5G NR and legacy technologies. This role blends RF engineering, capacity forecasting, propagation modeling, and cross-functional coordination to ensure reliable coverage, capacity, and quality of service while supporting network rollouts, upgrades, and ongoing optimization programs. The ideal candidate combines hands-on experience with RF planning tools, drive test analysis, spectrum management and strong stakeholder communication skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

RF Engineer / RF Technician
Telecom Field Engineer / Drive Test Engineer
Network Operations Engineer / Radio Optimisation Engineer

Advancement To:

Senior Wireless Network Planner / Principal RF Planner
RAN Planning Lead / RF Planning Manager
Network Design Manager / Radio Access Network (RAN) Architect

Lateral Moves:

RF Optimization Engineer (KPI tuning and troubleshooting)
Capacity Planner / Traffic Engineer
Site Acquisition & Rollout Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan, design and validate radio access network deployments for LTE and 5G NR, producing coverage maps, link budgets, and sector configurations to meet capacity, throughput and KPI targets across urban, suburban and rural environments.
Develop and maintain detailed RF propagation models using Atoll, Mentum/Planet, Forsk, InfoVista or equivalent planning tools; calibrate models with field measurements to ensure accurate coverage and interference predictions.
Perform capacity planning and traffic forecasting using historical traffic data, growth projections, and business requirements; recommend site additions, sector splits, and spectrum re-farming to meet projected demand.
Produce comprehensive technical design packages (site engineering drawings, antenna azimuths, downtilt, mechanical BOM, feeder routing and power provisioning) for new sites, upgrades and macro/micro cell deployments.
Conduct link budget and interference analysis, including co-channel and adjacent channel assessments, to optimize site placement, antenna patterns and transmit power while minimizing interference zones.
Plan and coordinate spectrum usage, carrier aggregation strategies and MIMO configurations; provide guidance on spectrum refarming and harmonization across technologies for optimal throughput and spectral efficiency.
Lead drive test campaigns, collect and analyze RF metrics with TEMS, Nemo, or similar tools, and translate findings into actionable optimization activities and model recalibrations.
Create and validate cell-level and cluster-level parameters (EARFCN, PCI/NRPCI planning, RACH, handover thresholds, timers, and neighbor lists) to ensure seamless mobility and minimize dropped calls.
Develop multi-technology (2G/3G/LTE/5G) coexistence strategies, including inter-RAT handovers, legacy capacity offload, and phased migration plans to support network modernization.
Collaborate with site acquisition, civil works and RF field teams to assess site feasibility, perform RF acceptance testing, and ensure installations meet design specifications and regulatory constraints.
Coordinate with vendors, OEMs and integrators on radio equipment selection, software release impacts, and hardware configurations; review vendor design submissions and ensure compliance with operator standards.
Configure and verify RAN elements via OSS/BSS platforms during rollout and upgrade phases; support integration testing and acceptance with core network and transport teams.
Monitor network KPIs and drive continuous improvement projects; develop optimization plans to reduce drop rates, improve throughput and increase capacity efficiency based on KPI trends and customer QoS targets.
Prepare detailed planning reports, site recommendation memos, cost-benefit analyses, and technical documentation for stakeholders and project governance boards.
Support project management activities for radio rollout and upgrade projects: track milestones, SLA targets, resource allocation and risk mitigation for timely deployment.
Evaluate and recommend small cell, DAS, indoor coverage and in-building solutions for venues and high-traffic locations; integrate heterogeneous network (HetNet) elements into overall coverage plans.
Perform microwave/fronthaul/backhaul link assessment and coordination with transport planners to ensure sufficient capacity and low latency for site additions and 5G services.
Lead radio parameter optimization and tuning after feature rollouts (carrier aggregation, VoLTE/VoNR, Massive MIMO, beamforming), ensuring stable performance and rollback strategies if regressions occur.
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, national spectrum rules, structural engineering limits and safety standards in all planning outputs and site deployments.
Develop automation scripts and data workflows (Python, SQL, Excel macros) to accelerate model generation, KPI extraction and scenario comparison for more efficient planning cycles.
Mentor junior planners, review technical work products, and enforce planning best practices and design templates to maintain consistent quality across regional teams.
Conduct RF risk assessments and mitigation planning for network changes, including rollback plans and staged implementation strategies to minimize customer impact.
Liaise with product and marketing teams to translate service requirements (e.g., URLLC, eMBB, mMTC) into technical planning objectives that support new service launches and monetization initiatives.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

RF planning and propagation modeling using tools such as Atoll, Forsk, Mentum/Planet or InfoVista; strong ability to calibrate models with field data.
Deep understanding of LTE and 5G NR air interface, including carriers, numerology, MIMO, beamforming and carrier aggregation techniques.
Proficiency with RF drive-test tools (TEMS, Nemo, Keysight), KPI analysis, and post-processing software for coverage and quality assessments.
Link budget analysis, interference analysis, and RF parameter setting (PCI/NRPCI planning, EARFCN, RACH configuration, handover thresholds).
Capacity planning, traffic forecasting and spectrum management experience to size networks and recommend upgrades.
Experience with OSS/BSS systems for RAN parameter configuration, integration testing and acceptance tasks.
Knowledge of microwave/fronthaul planning and transport capacity requirements for RAN sites.
GIS skills and experience with geospatial datasets to generate coverage/heat maps and perform terrain-based planning.
Familiarity with in-building solutions, small cell design, DAS architecture and HetNet integration strategies.
Practical knowledge of RF safety standards, regulatory compliance and site structural constraints.
Proficiency in data analysis and automation: Python, SQL, Excel (VBA/macros), and scripting to automate planning workflows.
Ability to generate technical design documentation, BOMs, and project-ready deliverables for construction and RF acceptance.
Experience with vendor product families (Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, ZTE, Samsung) and their RAN feature sets and parameter impacts.
KPI monitoring and troubleshooting: drop rate, handover failure, RSRP/RSRQ, SINR, throughput and latency diagnostics.

Soft Skills

Strong written and verbal communication for clear handoffs to field teams, vendors, and stakeholders.
Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management with product, transport, OSS, site acquisition and operations teams.
Analytical mindset and problem-solving ability to translate complex RF metrics into practical mitigation steps.
Project management discipline: ability to prioritize competing rollout and optimization tasks, manage timelines, and track delivery.
Attention to detail and documentation rigor to ensure accurate design, acceptance and audit readiness.
Customer-centric focus to align planning outcomes with commercial and user experience objectives.
Mentoring and team leadership to develop junior planners and codify planning standards.
Adaptability to evolving technologies (5G features, Open RAN, virtualization) and rapid change in deployment priorities.
Negotiation skills for vendor coordination and site lease/support agreements.
Time management and ability to work under pressure during tight rollout or mitigation windows.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science, Physics or closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Telecommunications, Wireless Communications, RF Engineering or MBA for combined technical/business leadership roles.
Professional certifications in RF planning or telecom project management are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Electrical / Electronics Engineering
Telecommunications / Wireless Communications
Computer Science / Data Science
Physics / Applied Mathematics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8 years of progressive experience in wireless network planning, RF engineering or optimization with hands-on planning tool usage and fieldwork.

Preferred: 5+ years of focused LTE and 5G RAN planning experience, demonstrated ownership of multiple rollouts or major upgrade programs and proven results in capacity improvements or KPI gains.