RAN Technician
Job Description
Position Summary
The RAN (Nokia or Ericsson certification preferred) Technician installs, integrates, tests, troubleshoots, and maintains Nokia radio access network equipment and associated IP routing infrastructure. This role supports reliable wireless service by combining hands-on radio frequency expertise with strong router, transport, and network troubleshooting skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Install, commission, integrate, and maintain Nokia RAN equipment, including baseband, radio, antenna, power, and transmission components.
- Perform radio, router, and transport troubleshooting using alarms, logs, performance data, test equipment, and network management tools.
- Configure and validate Nokia radio parameters and Ethernet/IP connectivity in accordance with approved designs and change procedures.
- Support Nokia routers and related transport devices, including interface configuration, VLANs, IP addressing, static and dynamic routing, quality of service, and synchronization.
- Conduct fiber, copper, RF, and Ethernet testing; identify faults; and coordinate corrective action with engineering, operations, and field teams.
- Perform software upgrades, hardware replacements, site acceptance testing, preventive maintenance, and restoration activities.
- Document configurations, test results, site conditions, inventory changes, incidents, and completed work accurately.
- Follow safety, security, change-management, and escalation procedures while meeting service restoration targets.
- Participate in scheduled maintenance windows and an on-call rotation as required.
Required Qualifications
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
- Associate degree in telecommunications, electronics, networking, or a related field, or equivalent military or industry experience.
- Hands-on experience installing, maintaining, or troubleshooting cellular radio access network equipment.
- Experience with LTE RAN platforms and network management or commissioning tools. (Nokia or Ericsson experience preferred)
- Working knowledge of RF fundamentals, antennas, feeders, fiber optics, grounding, power systems, and site alarms.
- Practical router and IP networking experience, including Ethernet, VLANs, IPv4/IPv6, routing, quality of service, and basic packet analysis.
- Ability to interpret network diagrams, site drawings, method-of-procedure documents, alarm information, and technical manuals.
- Strong troubleshooting, documentation, communication, and teamwork skills.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel to field locations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Nokia AirScale radio and baseband equipment.
- Experience with Nokia service routers or comparable carrier-grade routing platforms.
- Knowledge of LTE and 5G NR architectures, fronthaul, backhaul, timing, synchronization, and microwave transport.
- Industry certifications in Nokia technologies, routing and switching, fiber optics, RF, or tower safety.
- Experience in a carrier, utility, public-safety, or other high-availability network environment.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
- Work may be performed at cell sites, equipment shelters, rooftops, data centers, and other indoor or outdoor locations.
- Ability to lift and carry test equipment and components, climb stairs or ladders where authorized, and work in varying weather conditions.
- Availability for occasional travel, nights, weekends, emergency restoration, and planned maintenance windows.
- Compliance with all applicable electrical, RF exposure, fall-protection, and site-safety requirements.
Success in This Role
The successful candidate is a safety-focused, self-directed technician who can isolate faults across radio, transport, and routing domains; communicate clearly during service-impacting events; and complete high-quality work with accurate documentation.
Work Location & Schedule
- What is the designated work location for this role? Materials Distribution Center at Henderson
- Will the position be fully onsite, hybrid, or fully remote? Mostly on-site
- If hybrid, how many days per week would you like the consultant onsite?
- Are there any specific working hours, shift requirements, or maintenance window expectations? No
- Is there an on-call rotation requirement? If so, how frequently would the consultant be expected to participate? No
- What percentage of travel should candidates expect (local site visits, regional travel, overnight travel, etc.)? This is field position truck provided but not take home and expected to go site to site to do site evaluation, installation/implementation. No overnight work expecte.
Technical Experience Profile
- Is there a preferred years-of-experience range you would like suppliers to target? 5 Years Hardware/technical experience
- Between Nokia and Ericsson experience, is one preferred over the other? Nokia is preferred but we really want a person with Technical Aptitude and will be focused on field work
- How much hands-on routing/networking experience is required versus preferred? 5 Years Hardware/technical experience
- Would you consider candidates with strong Ericsson experience who have limited Nokia experience? yes
- Are there any certifications that would move a candidate to the top of the list (Nokia, CCNA, Tower Safety, Fiber Optics, etc.)? No
Industry Background
- Is utility or energy industry experience preferred? Yes but not necessary
- Would candidates from wireless carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, or DISH be strong fits? Field/RAN techs
- Would individuals from related industries such as telecommunications, cable, broadband, public safety networks, or military communications be considered? Yes
Key Skills & Search Terms
To assist suppliers with sourcing, what would you consider the top 5-10 skills, keywords, or experiences for this role?
Examples:
- Sierra Wireless/Semtech Modems
- Nokia AirScale
- Ericsson LTE/5G
- RAN Troubleshooting
- LTE/5G Networks
- IP Networking
- VLAN Configuration
- Fiber Testing
- Ethernet Transport
- RF Systems
- Nokia Service Routers
- Site Acceptance Testing
- Network Restoration
- Microwave Transport
Interview & Selection Process
- How many interview rounds do you anticipate? 1 - 2
- Will there be any technical assessments or hands-on troubleshooting discussions? Just the interviews
- What are the top characteristics that would make someone successful in this role? Self Starter, verifiable field experience, positive attitude, team focused, able to lift 50 lbs.
- Are there any candidate "red flags" suppliers should avoid? Over qualified candidates with higher end salary expectation