Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wireless Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Wireless Technician is a field-focused telecommunications professional responsible for installing, commissioning, maintaining, and troubleshooting wireless network equipment (antennas, RRUs, base stations, small cells, backhaul) to support LTE/4G and 5G network performance and reliability. This role requires hands-on RF and fiber work at rooftops and towers, adherence to safety and regulatory standards, collaboration with RF and transmission engineers, and accurate documentation in work order systems. Ideal candidates combine technical know-how (RF test equipment, fiber splicing, power systems) with strong safety awareness and customer-focused communication.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Field Technician / Wireless Installer (entry-level)
Cable Splicer / Fiber Technician
Tower Technician Trainee

Advancement To:

Senior Wireless Technician / Lead Technician
RF Engineer / RF Optimization Specialist
Field Supervisor / Site Lead
Project Manager — Wireless Deployments

Lateral Moves:

Backhaul / Microwave Technician
Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician
Outside Plant (OSP) / Fiber Construction Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Install, mount, and align antennas, remote radio heads (RRHs), combiners, and feeders at cell sites and rooftop locations, performing sweep tests, return loss measurements, and antenna pattern verification to ensure coverage and KPIs meet operator specifications.
Perform tower climbs, rooftop work, and rigging tasks using approved fall-protection systems and rescue procedures; conduct daily PPE inspections and document compliance with OSHA and company safety protocols.
Terminate, splice, and test fiber optic and coaxial cabling using fusion splicers, OTDRs, power meters, and spectrum analyzers; certify fiber runs and report insertion loss and reflectance values to project acceptance criteria.
Commission base station equipment (eNodeB, gNodeB, small cells), configure basic radio parameters, verify backhaul connectivity, and run acceptance tests to validate throughput, latency, handovers, and service SLAs.
Troubleshoot RF coverage and interference issues using drive test tools (TEMS, Nemo, Ranalyzer), spectrum analyzers, and RAN troubleshooting software, producing root-cause analysis and remediation plans.
Install, inspect, and maintain power systems, including rectifiers, batteries, backup generators, automatic transfer switches, and grounding systems; perform load checks and battery capacity testing.
Execute preventive maintenance, routine site audits, and corrective repairs on tower and cabinet hardware, documenting findings and corrective actions in the CMMS or ticketing platform (e.g., ServiceNow, Salesforce Field Service).
Perform microwave and backhaul alignment and testing, validating link budgets and throughput for microwave radios and coordinating with transmission vendors for fault isolation and restoration.
Replace and repair faulty radio units, antennas, jumpers, feeders, and power components; perform post-repair validation tests and update equipment inventory and as-built documentation.
Conduct RF/site surveys and feasibility assessments, gather GPS coordinates and site attributes, and provide detailed site reports and photos to support RF planning and site acquisition.
Execute field-level software upgrades and patches for node equipment under supervision and verify post-upgrade performance and compatibility with core network elements.
Install, configure, and test IP networking equipment (routers, switches, firewalls) at sites for backhaul and transport, validating VLANs, routing, and throughput to ensure proper integration with operator networks.
Coordinate site access, permits, and landlord or municipal approvals; manage work windows and communicate schedule changes to stakeholders and team leads to minimize downtime and compliance risk.
Monitor site environmental conditions (temperature, HVAC, water ingress) and perform HVAC, structural, and sealing remedial work as needed to protect sensitive RF and IT equipment.
Respond to emergency outages and perform rapid triage and restoration activities, working on-call shifts during network incidents and major weather events to restore services quickly and safely.
Accurately record labor hours, parts used, and detailed job notes in field systems; prepare daily reports, punch lists, and closeout documentation for projects and maintenance tickets.
Maintain and manage spare parts inventory, tools, and calibrated test equipment; ensure chain-of-custody and secure handling of vendor-sensitive or licensed RF equipment.
Follow and enforce site-specific and corporate safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements (FCC, FAA lighting, local building codes), including rooftop structural limits and tower loading restrictions.
Mentor and train junior technicians and contracted crews on installation best practices, safety procedures, climbing techniques, and company standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Participate in post-installation acceptance and optimization activities with RF engineering, including drive tests, KPI verification, and tuning recommendations to improve coverage and capacity.
Work closely with cross-functional teams (RF planning, transmission, NOC, construction managers) to support large-scale rollouts, upgrades (e.g., LTE to 5G NR), and network modernization projects.
Use test equipment and diagnostic procedures to verify signal levels, carrier strength, SINR, throughput, and other critical radio metrics; log results and escalate persistent anomalies to engineering teams.
Ensure compliance with site documentation standards: update site drawings, wiring schematics, vendor BOMs, and equipment serial numbers for audit and warranty tracking.
Liaise with third-party contractors, tower owners, and utilities to coordinate civil, structural, and power work necessary for new site builds and upgrades, ensuring quality control and schedule adherence.

Secondary Functions

Provide field input to RF design and planning teams by reviewing BOMs, site designs, and suggesting practical deployment optimizations based on site conditions.
Assist with permit acquisition, landlord coordination, and municipal inspections by preparing documentation, attending site meetings, and implementing corrective actions.
Support remote troubleshooting via VPN/remote access tools to analyze node logs, performance counters, and alarm states in collaboration with NOC and engineering teams.
Collect and deliver performance data and field measurements to support network optimization and capacity planning initiatives.
Conduct toolbox talks, safety briefings, and periodic training sessions to reinforce safe work practices and regulatory awareness among field crews.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

RF fundamentals and practical RF installation skills (antenna alignment, azimuth/elevation adjustments, feeder sweep, return loss analysis).
Hands-on experience with fiber optic termination and fusion splicing; OTDR, power meter, and loss budget verification.
Proficiency with RF and network test equipment: spectrum analyzers, signal generators, TEMS/Nemo drive test tools, network analyzers, and VNA basics.
Familiarity with cellular technologies and protocols: LTE (4G) and 5G NR fundamentals, common bands, and cell site commissioning steps.
Experience commissioning and troubleshooting base stations (eNodeB/gNodeB), small cells, and distributed antenna systems (DAS).
Microwave and backhaul alignment, including knowledge of link budgets, throughput testing, and vendor-specific microwave tools.
Coaxial cable termination and connector knowledge (N, 4.3-10, 7-16, SMA), including crimping and torque procedures.
Power systems knowledge: rectifiers, batteries (VRLA), UPS, generators, grounding, and basic electrical safety practices.
Competence with IP networking basics: switches, routers, VLANs, subnetting, and basic CLI for field equipment validation.
Skilled at using field service management and ticketing tools (ServiceNow, Oracle Field Service, CommCare) and maintaining accurate job documentation.
Ability to read and update technical drawings, site BOMs, and as-built diagrams; experience with GPS/site survey tools.
Familiarity with safety, regulatory, and compliance standards (OSHA, FCC, FAA, tower rescue, NATE recommended practices).

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and documentation discipline to ensure compliance, warranty integrity, and audit readiness.
Clear verbal and written communication to coordinate with internal teams, contractors, landlords, and customers.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to triage issues in high-pressure outage scenarios and identify root causes.
Self-motivated and able to work independently in remote locations while following company SOPs and escalation paths.
Team player who collaborates effectively with RF engineers, transmission teams, and project managers.
Time management and scheduling skills to balance multiple work orders, site visits, and emergency response duties.
Customer-service orientation when interacting with carrier stakeholders, building owners, and end-users.
Strong safety culture and leadership in promoting hazard recognition, PPE use, and safe work methods.
Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities, technology upgrades (e.g., LTE → 5G), and multi-vendor environments.
Coaching and mentoring ability to upskill junior technicians and third-party contractors on field standards and safety.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with demonstrated technical aptitude and field experience.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical diploma in Telecommunications, Electronics, Electrical Technology, or related field.
Certifications in fiber optics, RF fundamentals, or networking (see recommended certifications).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Telecommunications Technology / RF Engineering Technology
Electronics / Electrical Technology
Computer Networking / IT

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1 to 5 years of hands-on wireless field experience (installation, maintenance, troubleshooting).

Preferred:

2–5+ years of experience working on cell sites, towers, and rooftop installations with exposure to LTE and 5G deployments.
Demonstrated experience with fiber splicing, OTDR testing, RF sweep/testing, and base station commissioning.

Recommended Certifications (commonly requested in job listings):

OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 (Construction)
Tower Climbing & Rescue / NATE or equivalent tower safety certification
Fiber Optic Association (FOA) or equivalent fiber splicing certification
CPR/First Aid
Vendor-specific certifications as applicable (e.g., Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei field training)
FCC Radio Operator awareness / RF Safety training

Salary ranges, location-specific requirements, and employer-specific vendor certifications may vary; this document consolidates responsibilities and skills typically required by hiring managers and recruiters for Wireless Technician roles across carriers, tower companies, and independent contractors.