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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wireless Network Intern

💰 $18 - $28 / hour

EngineeringTelecommunicationsInternshipWireless

🎯 Role Definition

As a Wireless Network Intern you will support planning, testing, optimization, and troubleshooting of cellular and Wi‑Fi networks under the mentorship of senior RF and network engineers. Typical duties include executing drive tests, collecting and analyzing KPI/RF data, configuring test equipment, validating network changes (RAN and small cells), and creating test reports and documentation. This internship is designed to give hands‑on exposure to wireless network technologies (LTE, 5G NR, Wi‑Fi), field measurement tools, and performance optimization methodologies while contributing to live network improvement projects.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Undergraduate student in Electrical/Telecommunications/Computer Engineering
  • Recent graduate with academic projects in wireless communications or signal processing
  • Lab assistant or campus network technician with RF exposure

Advancement To:

  • RF/Radio Optimization Engineer
  • Wireless Network Engineer (RAN)
  • Network Performance Analyst / KPI Analyst
  • Field Test Engineer / Drive Test Engineer
  • 5G/IoT Solutions Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician
  • Test Automation Engineer
  • Wireless Systems Integration Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist senior RF engineers to plan, prepare, and execute drive tests and walk tests across urban, suburban, and indoor environments to collect RF measurements (RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, RSSI, RSSNR) and KPIs for LTE/5G and Wi‑Fi networks.
  • Configure and operate industry-standard measurement tools and scanners (e.g., TEMS, Nemo Handy, Rohde & Schwarz scanners) and ensure accurate time, location, and logging parameters during field tests.
  • Collect, preprocess, and clean large datasets from drive tests, network alarms, and OSS/BSS exports, transforming raw data into structured formats suitable for analysis using Python, MATLAB, or R.
  • Perform slice-level and cell-level KPI analysis to identify coverage gaps, capacity constraints, and handover failures, and prepare actionable recommendations for optimization.
  • Support small cell and macro site verification after hardware upgrades or parameter changes by validating RF performance, neighbor relations, and handover behavior.
  • Execute indoor Wi‑Fi site surveys using Ekahau or AirMagnet to map coverage heatmaps, channel utilization, and interference sources, and propose channel/frequency planning improvements.
  • Assist with configuration and testing of RAN elements (eNodeB/gNodeB, small cells) in lab and field environments, following change management and rollback procedures.
  • Run protocol-level captures and packet analysis with Wireshark to troubleshoot VoLTE, data session establishment, and control-plane signaling issues, coordinating with core network teams as required.
  • Perform automated test scripts and basic testbench automation using Python or shell scripting to accelerate repetitive validation tasks and data extraction.
  • Validate radio parameter changes by comparing pre- and post-change KPIs, generating structured test reports with visualizations and executive summaries for stakeholders.
  • Investigate customer-reported issues (voice drops, poor throughput, roaming problems) by correlating drive test data, OSS alarms, and CRM tickets to identify root causes.
  • Support spectrum analysis and regulatory compliance testing using spectrum analyzers to detect interference, spurious emissions, and to help define mitigation strategies.
  • Assist with MIMO, beamforming, and carrier aggregation testing for 4G/5G deployments, documenting antenna performance and suggesting optimization for coverage and throughput.
  • Participate in capacity planning exercises to estimate cell loading, project future capacity needs, and support parameter tuning to improve spectral efficiency.
  • Create, maintain, and improve standardized test templates, checklists, and run-books for field activities to ensure reproducible measurement quality and compliance with safety policies.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (core network, transport, provisioning, OSS) to coordinate end‑to‑end network validation activities for software releases and infrastructure rollouts.
  • Document all measurement plans, test results, and change logs in the ticketing system (e.g., Jira) and in formal reports for management and vendor partners.
  • Support vendor acceptance testing and bench validation of new radio equipment by executing lab test cases and comparing vendor results against operator KPIs.
  • Analyze RF propagation and path loss in chosen environments using propagation models (e.g., COST-231, ITU models) and simple coverage prediction tools to help inform site selection.
  • Assist with optimization for IoT and low-power wide-area network technologies when applicable, validating coverage and connectivity performance for NB‑IoT/CAT‑M devices.
  • Maintain and calibrate field test equipment, ensure batteries and GNSS/time sync are functional, and manage inventory of SIMs, test UEs, and measurement licenses.

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.
  • Provide on-call or scheduled support during network acceptance windows and rollout weekends.
  • Prepare training material and knowledge transfer documents for junior interns and technicians.
  • Assist with procurement evaluation by testing and documenting vendor tool capabilities and feature gaps.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Practical experience with RF drive test tools: TEMS, Nemo Handy, R&S tools, or similar.
  • Proficiency in data analysis and scripting: Python (pandas, numpy, matplotlib), MATLAB, or R for KPI analysis and reporting.
  • Familiarity with network packet analysis tools: Wireshark; ability to interpret SIP/IMS and LTE/5G protocol traces.
  • Understanding of cellular technologies and standards: LTE (E-UTRAN), 5G NR, GSM basics, VoLTE/VoWiFi, NB‑IoT/CAT‑M.
  • Knowledge of RF fundamentals: propagation, link budget, fading, antenna patterns, MIMO, beamforming, and path loss models.
  • Experience with Wi‑Fi site survey tools and spectrum analyzers (Ekahau, AirMagnet, handheld spectrum analyzers).
  • Basic configuration knowledge of RAN elements and vendor radios (parameter tuning, neighbor lists, common alarms).
  • Competence in GIS and mapping tools for visualizing coverage heatmaps and geolocated KPI data.
  • Familiarity with OSS/BSS concepts and ability to extract KPI tables and alarm logs from network management systems.
  • Experience working in Linux environments and basic command-line proficiency for data manipulation and automation.
  • Exposure to test automation frameworks or scripting to run repeatable test cases and generate standardized reports.
  • Basic knowledge of TCP/IP, routing concepts, and transport network considerations for mobile backhaul.

Soft Skills

  • Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving with attention to detail when interpreting measurement data.
  • Clear verbal and written communication tailored to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Team-oriented mindset with ability to coordinate across RAN, core, transport, and vendor teams.
  • Time-management and prioritization skills to balance fieldwork, lab testing, and data analysis deliverables.
  • Curiosity and continuous learning attitude toward evolving wireless standards (5G, private networks, IoT).
  • Adaptability to field conditions, travel for site visits, and willingness to work occasional off-hours for network maintenance windows.
  • Documentation discipline and ability to produce concise test reports, executive summaries, and knowledge-base articles.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Bachelor's program in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, or related STEM field (undergraduate level acceptable for internship).

Preferred Education:

  • Coursework or minor in wireless communications, signal processing, RF systems, or embedded systems.
  • Master's candidates in Telecommunications or RF Engineering considered for extended internships.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Telecommunications / Wireless Communications
  • Computer Engineering / Computer Science (with networking focus)
  • Physics (with applied electromagnetics or signal processing)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–2 years (suitable for undergraduates, recent graduates, or early-career technicians). Prior academic projects, lab work, or campus network roles recommended.

Preferred:

  • 6–12 months of prior internship or part-time experience in telecom, RF labs, or network operations.
  • Hands-on exposure to drive tests, OSS KPI extraction, or Wi‑Fi surveys; familiarity with at least one measurement tool (TEMS, Nemo, Ekahau).
  • Project coursework involving MATLAB/Python for signal processing, data analysis, or wireless simulation.
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