System Architect, DAS / Wireless

Job Summary

The System Architect is responsible for designing, modeling, optimizing, and supporting the deployment of advanced Distributed Antenna System (DAS) and in-building wireless solutions for large venues and enterprise environments. This position performs moderately complex to advanced RF engineering activities supporting the design, development, commissioning, and optimization of carrier-grade wireless networks utilizing iBwave and other RF planning and design tools.

The System Architect will provide technical leadership and take ownership of the overall system architecture for assigned projects, including active DAS, Air Radio/DRAN overlay, and other carrier-grade wireless solutions. This role includes developing sectorization strategies for high-density venues; evaluating uplink and downlink performance, SINR, throughput, and interference; and integrating multiple frequency bands, radio sources, and wireless operators into a coordinated system architecture.

The System Architect will work closely with customers, wireless carriers, OEM partners, construction teams, and project managers to deliver high-performing DAS and in-building cellular solutions that meet coverage, capacity, and performance objectives. The System Architect will also lead complex technical reviews and architectural decisions while taking ownership of the technical strategy required to advance designs through the carrier approval process.

Responsibilities

• Design large venue DAS and in-building wireless solutions for stadiums, arenas, convention centers, airports, transportation facilities, healthcare campuses, higher-education facilities, and large commercial properties.
• Provide technical leadership and take ownership of the overall wireless system architecture throughout design development, carrier review, deployment, and optimization.
• Design active DAS and Air Radio/DRAN overlay solutions based on venue requirements, carrier objectives, RF performance, and deployment considerations.
• Develop detailed iBwave designs, including prediction modeling, floorplan development, equipment placement, and bill of material generation.
• Perform RF analysis and propagation modeling to ensure coverage, capacity, and quality objectives are achieved.
• Analyze uplink and downlink performance, SINR, throughput, and interference to validate the system architecture and ensure carrier-specific performance criteria are achieved.
• Determine antenna, power, fiber, and equipment configurations for DAS systems.
• Forecast traffic and capacity requirements based on venue usage, subscriber density, and carrier objectives.
• Develop sectorization strategies for high-density venues based on traffic distribution, subscriber demand, venue configuration, capacity requirements, and RF performance objectives.
• Develop DAS architecture utilizing equipment from CommScope, Corning, JMA, SOLiD, and other approved OEM partners.
• Develop integrated wireless architectures that support multiple frequency bands, radio sources, technologies, and wireless operators within a common venue infrastructure.
• Create and maintain RF design documentation, including design packages, heat maps, propagation reports, and carrier approval packages.
• Coordinate design reviews with wireless carriers, OEMs, project management, and customer stakeholders.
• Lead complex technical reviews and architectural decisions involving wireless carriers, customers, OEM partners, project teams, and other stakeholders. Clearly present design strategies, technical tradeoffs, performance considerations, and recommended solutions.
• Perform site surveys, venue walk-throughs, and RF assessments to support system design and optimization efforts.
• Review construction drawings, building plans, and venue requirements to develop effective wireless solutions.
• Support carrier approval processes and address design comments and revisions.
• Take ownership of the technical carrier approval strategy, including presenting the proposed architecture, responding to carrier feedback, resolving design comments, coordinating required revisions, and driving technical alignment on the final design.
• Conduct commissioning, optimization, validation testing, and troubleshooting of DAS and small-cell systems.
• Analyze post-installation testing data and implement optimization recommendations.
• Work with deployment and construction teams to ensure designs are executed according to approved engineering standards.
• Support project estimates, proposals, and technical solution development.
• Develop engineering standards and best practices for DAS and large venue deployments.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians.
• Organize and lead engineering meetings as required to meet project and department objectives.
• Complete administrative responsibilities, including timesheets, expense reports, project documentation, and status reporting.

Personal Qualities

Analytical Thinking

• Strong ability to analyze RF performance data, venue requirements, and system limitations to develop effective wireless solutions.
• Ability to evaluate competing system architectures and make technically sound decisions based on uplink and downlink performance, SINR, throughput, interference, coverage, capacity, system complexity, and deployment requirements.

Conflict Management & Problem Resolution

• Builds consensus among customers, carriers, OEMs, and internal teams while proactively identifying and resolving project challenges.
• Effectively resolves conflicts involving carrier requirements, architectural approaches, system performance, and project constraints while maintaining the integrity of the overall wireless solution.

Results Focused

• Successfully manages multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining engineering quality and project schedules.
• Takes ownership of architectural decisions and technical outcomes while advancing designs through carrier review and approval.

Communication Skills

• Effectively communicates technical concepts to engineering, operations, carrier, and customer audiences through presentations, reports, and design reviews.
• Leads complex technical reviews and clearly communicates architectural decisions, design tradeoffs, carrier requirements, and RF performance considerations to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

Relationship Building

• Establishes strong working relationships across internal teams, carriers, OEM partners, and customers while serving as a positive representative of AFL.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.
• Minimum of 2-5 years of RF engineering experience supporting wireless, DAS, or in-building cellular networks.
• Exceptional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Advanced proficiency with iBwave Design, iBwave Mobile, and iBwave Optimization.
• Experience designing carrier-grade DAS systems within large public venues and enterprise environments.
• Experience providing technical leadership and taking ownership of wireless system architecture for assigned projects.
• Experience designing active DAS and Air Radio/DRAN overlay solutions.
• Strong understanding of LTE, VoLTE, 5G NR, C-Band, CBRS, and public safety wireless systems.
• Experience with RF propagation modeling, link budgets, and coverage prediction methodologies.
• Strong understanding of uplink and downlink design principles, SINR, throughput, interference management, coverage, and capacity optimization.
• Experience developing sectorization strategies for high-density venues and other capacity-intensive wireless environments.
• Experience integrating multiple frequency bands, radio sources, technologies, and wireless operators into a coordinated system architecture.
• Knowledge of DAS platforms from CommScope, Corning, JMA, SOLiD, Ericsson, Nokia, or equivalent OEMs.
• Experience with spectrum analysis, RF testing, and optimization tools.
• Familiarity with PIM testing, fiber testing, sweep testing, and carrier acceptance testing procedures.
• At least one year of DAS commissioning, integration, and optimization experience.
• Understanding of carrier design standards and closeout package requirements.
• Experience leading technical design reviews, evaluating architectural alternatives, and communicating design decisions to carriers, customers, OEM partners, and internal project teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage the technical carrier approval strategy, address carrier comments, and drive alignment on the final system design.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Visio.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, customer presentations, and engineering documentation.
• Strong organizational, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Demonstrated sound judgment and decision-making capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• iBwave Level 2 or Level 3 Certification.
• Experience supporting AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and US Cellular wireless carrier environments.
• Experience with large venue deployments exceeding 250,000 square feet or high-density user environments.
• Experience developing active DAS, Air Radio/DRAN overlay, sectorized, or multi-operator solutions for large public venues.
• Experience leading complex architectural discussions and carrier design reviews involving multiple technical and project stakeholders.
• Public Safety (ERRCS/BDA) design experience.
• Knowledge of CBRS and private LTE/5G network architectures.

Working Conditions

• Use of standard office and field testing equipment.
• Ability to travel to customer sites, construction locations, and large venue environments.
• Good vision, hearing, and manual dexterity.
• Ability to lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb stairs and traverse large facilities and construction environments.
• General working hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, project support outside normal business hours may be required.
• Work indoors and outdoors under varying environmental conditions.
• Regional and occasional national travel required.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.