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wireless network officer

title: Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wireless Network Officer
salary: $70,000 - $110,000
categories: [Network Engineering, Wireless, Telecommunications, RF Engineering, IT]
description: A comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities, required technical skills and professional background for the role of a Wireless Network Officer.
Comprehensive, recruiter-written overview of responsibilities and required skills for a Wireless Network Officer.
SEO-optimized for keywords: wireless network officer, RF planning, Wi‑Fi, LTE, 5G, drive testing, network optimization,
spectrum analysis, OSS/BSS, network security, and site surveys.

🎯 Role Definition

The Wireless Network Officer is a hands-on technical and operational lead responsible for designing, deploying, optimizing, securing, and maintaining wireless access and mobile networks (Wi‑Fi, LTE/4G, 5G). This role combines RF engineering, network operations, performance analysis, vendor coordination, and cross-functional project delivery to ensure high availability, optimal capacity, and excellent user experience across enterprise, campus, or carrier networks. The Wireless Network Officer drives continuous improvement through data-driven optimization, standards compliance, and automation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • RF Engineer / RF Technician
  • Network Engineer (with wireless specialization)
  • Telecommunications Field Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Wireless Network Engineer / RF Manager
  • Wireless Network Architect
  • Head of Wireless Operations / Telecoms Engineering Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Network Performance Engineer
  • Site Reliability Engineer (Networking)
  • Security Engineer (Network Security)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead RF planning and wireless network design end-to-end: perform link budget analysis, coverage modeling, capacity planning, and cell/site design using tools such as iBwave, Atoll, or equivalent to ensure adequate coverage and performance across indoor and outdoor environments.
  • Design and implement Wi‑Fi architecture (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) and enterprise WLAN solutions including controller-based, controllerless, and cloud-managed deployments; specify AP placement, channel plans, and SSID/roaming strategies to meet security and QoS requirements.
  • Plan, configure, and optimize cellular networks (LTE / 4G and 5G NR) including radio parameter tuning, neighbor relations, handover optimization, and RAN capacity management to meet throughput and latency SLAs.
  • Conduct comprehensive drive tests, walk tests, and site surveys using TEMS, Actix, or Ekahau to validate real-world coverage and translate findings into corrective actions for coverage holes, interference, and throughput issues.
  • Perform spectrum analysis and interference mitigation using spectrum analyzers and monitoring tools; identify, classify, and remediate sources of RF interference (co‑channel, adjacent channel, non‑Wi‑Fi devices).
  • Lead in-building wireless projects including DAS, small cells, and repeaters: specify architectures, coordinate installation, oversee integration testing, and validate acceptance criteria for indoor coverage projects.
  • Execute network performance monitoring and troubleshooting using NMS/OSS tools (SNMP, NetFlow, sFlow), KPI dashboards, and performance reports; proactively detect anomalies and implement remediation to maintain SLAs.
  • Manage software and firmware upgrades for RAN and WLAN equipment, coordinating maintenance windows, regression testing, rollback plans, and vendor escalation paths to minimize service disruption.
  • Configure and maintain core network elements (EPC, 5GC, IMS as relevant) and interworking with access networks; ensure accurate configuration of routing, QoS, bearer management, and subscriber policies.
  • Implement and maintain network security for wireless infrastructures: enterprise WPA3/EAP, RADIUS integration, rogue AP detection, segmentation (VLANs), endpoint posture checks, and secure backhaul configurations.
  • Develop and maintain detailed network documentation: RF designs, capacity plans, configuration baselines, installation guides, and runbooks for operational continuity and audit readiness.
  • Lead vendor selection, contract reviews, and technical coordination with equipment vendors, integrators, and contractors; manage site acceptance testing (SAT), vendor deliverables, and warranty escalations.
  • Drive automation and scripting for repeatable operational tasks (provisioning, backups, monitoring configuration) using Python, Ansible, or vendor APIs to increase efficiency and reduce mean time to repair (MTTR).
  • Analyze traffic patterns and capacity trends to forecast growth; propose and execute capacity expansion, cell resectorization, or densification plans to sustain performance during peak events.
  • Support incident response and major outage management: lead troubleshooting, root cause analysis, post-incident reviews, and implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  • Ensure regulatory and standards compliance (FCC/ITU/local regulations), coordinate frequency licensing where required, and maintain documentation for audits and safety requirements.
  • Manage site acquisition and physical deployment activities: assess site feasibility, coordinate power/backhaul provisioning, schedule site surveys, and validate civil and RF installation acceptance.
  • Develop and deliver technical training and knowledge transfer for NOC and field teams on wireless troubleshooting, tools usage, and new feature rollouts to raise operational competency.
  • Create and present regular performance reports, SLA scorecards, and optimization recommendations to stakeholders including product owners, operations, and senior leadership.
  • Participate in cross-functional project teams (IT, facilities, security, product) to ensure wireless network requirements are integrated into new builds, migrations, and service launches.
  • Maintain CMDB/asset inventory for wireless infrastructure including APs, radios, antennas, cabling, and core network elements; manage lifecycle planning and decommissioning where applicable.
  • Implement and refine roaming, interworking, and handover strategies for multi-technology and multi-vendor environments to ensure seamless user experience across coverage zones.
  • Support customer escalations and enterprise customer-facing activities: perform root cause analysis, propose remediation roadmaps, and coordinate communications during major incidents or SLA breaches.
  • Lead quality assurance on new deployments: define acceptance criteria, perform functional and performance validation, and certify sites for production handover.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide ad-hoc analytics and exploratory analysis of wireless performance data to inform optimization projects and business cases.
  • Contribute to the wireless strategy and roadmap by evaluating new technologies (private 5G, CBRS, Wi‑Fi 6/6E/7), cost/benefit analysis, and pilot recommendations.
  • Collaborate with procurement and finance to define technical requirements for RFPs, evaluate vendor bids, and manage equipment lifecycle and spare parts inventory.
  • Participate in change management, sprint planning, and incident post-mortems; maintain clear communication with stakeholders and ensure alignment on priorities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • RF planning and propagation modeling (iBwave, Atoll, Pathloss) — coverage prediction, link budget, and antenna selection.
  • Enterprise Wi‑Fi architecture and protocols (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), WLAN controllers, cloud-managed WLAN platforms (Cisco, Aruba, Ruckus, Ubiquiti).
  • Cellular technologies: LTE/4G and 5G NR fundamentals, RAN parameterization, carrier aggregation, MIMO, and network slicing basics.
  • Drive test and survey tools (TEMS, Actix, Ekahau, AirMagnet) and the ability to interpret KPIs such as RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, RSSI, throughput, and latency.
  • Spectrum analysis and interference diagnostics using spectrum analyzers and RF measurement equipment.
  • Network protocols and core networking: TCP/IP, UDP, DHCP, DNS, VLANs, QoS, MPLS, BGP, and OSPF fundamentals as applied to wireless backhaul and aggregation.
  • OSS/NMS platforms and monitoring (NetMRI, SolarWinds, Nagios, Grafana, Prometheus) and the creation of KPI dashboards for SLA management.
  • Network security for wireless: 802.1X, WPA2/WPA3, RADIUS, certificate management, rogue detection, and segmentation strategies.
  • Scripting and automation: Python, Bash, Ansible, REST APIs for device orchestration and operational automation.
  • Drive test data analysis, KPI reporting, and use of database or analytics tools to correlate performance events to network changes.
  • Site integration and acceptance testing skills: SAT, FAT, commissioning procedures, and documentation.
  • Knowledge of cloud networking and virtualization relevant to wireless edge functions (AWS/GCP networking, VNF/CNF).
  • Familiarity with vendor-specific RAN/WLAN command-line interfaces and management portals (Cisco IOS/Prime, Aruba AOS-CX, Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei interfaces).

Soft Skills

  • Strong verbal and written communication: create clear technical reports, present findings to stakeholders, and coordinate multi-discipline teams.
  • Analytical problem solving: break down complex wireless issues and deliver actionable remediation plans using data-driven methods.
  • Project management and organizational skills: manage timelines, prioritize tasks, and deliver projects on schedule.
  • Stakeholder management: engage vendors, internal teams, and customers with a service-oriented mindset.
  • Attention to detail and documentation discipline to maintain accurate configuration baselines and compliance artifacts.
  • Adaptability and continuous learning to evaluate and adopt new wireless technologies and standards.
  • Team leadership and mentoring: coach junior engineers and field staff on best practices and troubleshooting techniques.
  • Customer focus and escalation handling: manage high-pressure incidents and maintain trust through transparent communication.
  • Time management and multitasking: balance routine operations, reactive incidents, and proactive optimization projects.
  • Decision-making under uncertainty: weigh trade-offs between performance, cost, and timeline for network interventions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related technical field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree in Telecommunications, Wireless Communications, Network Engineering, or MBA for managerial tracks.
  • Industry certifications such as Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP), Cisco CCNA/CCNP Wireless, Nokia/Ericsson vendor certifications, or relevant RF/5G certifications.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Wireless Communications
  • RF Engineering
  • Computer Networks
  • Telecommunications
  • Electronics / Electrical Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8 years of progressive experience in wireless network planning, operations, or RF engineering, with demonstrable hands-on exposure to Wi‑Fi and cellular network projects.

Preferred: 5+ years experience in mixed enterprise/carrier wireless environments, with track record of successfully delivering indoor/outdoor projects, drive testing, and cross-functional coordination. Prior experience with vendor management, OSS/NMS platforms, and automation scripting is highly desirable.

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