Job Summary

Provide senior-level RF planning, cellular network design, coverage and capacity engineering expertise for 3G, 4G LTE and 5G NR networks. The role ensures that cellular site distribution, sector configuration, frequency-band assumptions, propagation models, coverage objectives, capacity targets, and optimization inputs are technically sound, deployable, and aligned with operator-grade mobile network planning practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop site distribution logic for cellular macro, rooftop, pole-mounted and small-cell sites based on coverage objectives, demand hotspots, population density, road corridors, building morphology, terrain and service zones.

• Define RF planning assumptions for 3G/4G/5G, including frequency bands, carrier bandwidths, duplex mode, antenna type, height, azimuth, mechanical/electrical tilt, sectorization, feeder losses, MIMO configuration and propagation model.

• Prepare or review RF link budgets for UMTS, LTE and 5G NR downlink/uplink, including maximum allowable path loss, receiver sensitivity, noise figure, interference margin, penetration loss and fade margin.

• Support nominal cell planning and candidate site identification for greenfield, expansion, densification and capacity-relief scenarios.

• Perform coverage and capacity planning using RF planning tools and GIS inputs such as terrain, clutter, morphology, building heights and traffic/demand layers.

• Assess 4G and 5G coverage KPIs such as RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, SS-RSRP, SS-SINR, throughput, PRB utilization, spectral efficiency and cell-edge performance.

• Define small-cell and infill strategies for weak coverage, high traffic, indoor leakage, urban canyons, commercial districts, transport hubs and public venues.

• Support site survey requirements by specifying RF survey data, panoramas, azimuth references, antenna mounting constraints, line-of-sight/blockage conditions and candidate antenna locations.

• Coordinate with civil, power, backhaul, IBS, GIS and implementation teams to ensure RF designs are physically deployable and aligned with rollout constraints.

• Provide RF design comments during HLD/LLD reviews and support technical clarifications during RFP, tender evaluation or operator design review phases.

• Define optimization inputs such as neighbor planning, PCI/PSC/SC planning approach, handover zones, overshooting mitigation, tilt optimization and interference reduction actions.

Qualification, Technical Skills and Competencies

• Bachelor degree in telecommunications, electrical engineering, wireless communications, RF engineering or equivalent; master degree is preferred.

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in cellular RF planning, mobile network design, coverage modeling, capacity planning or RAN engineering.

• Strong practical knowledge of 3G/UMTS, 4G/LTE and 5G NR radio interfaces, bands, KPIs, deployment scenarios and RAN architecture.

• Experience with RF planning tools such as Atoll, Planet, Mentum, iBwave, Asset, or equivalent planning platforms.

• Strong understanding of propagation models, clutter calibration, terrain/building databases, link budget formulation and coverage prediction uncertainty.

• Experience reviewing RF coverage maps, drive-test results, site survey outputs, antenna configurations and rollout design packages.

• Experience in operator, vendor, consultant or large-scale mobile network rollout environments is preferred.

• GCC/Middle East project experience is an advantage where applicable.