Engineer - Radio Access Planning & Design at Safaricom Kenya

We are pleased to announce the following vacancy in the Network Engineering Department within the Technology Division. In keeping with our current business needs, we are looking for a person who meets the criteria indicated below:

Reporting to the Manager – Radio Access Planning & Design, Access Network Planning & Design the role holder will be responsible for Providing radio frequency (RF) and/or Radio Access Network (RAN) strategy for a wide range of wireless network technologies including 2G, 3G, and LTE and emerging technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan and optimize wireless radio access network communications systems, including radio propagation modelling and prediction, interference analysis, frequency coordination, parameter definition and ancillary equipment;
• Participate in formulation of radio capacity design guidelines and strategies as per ITU and safaricom planning guidelines;
• Participate in developing internal processes used for radio capacity design and Optimization and inter and intra departmental team processes for enhancing RF system performance;
• Performs development, testing, and validation of RF feature plan proposals. Provides input in defining implementation guidelines for approved new features and technologies. Engages Vendors and Strategy team on hardware and software roadmaps and new RF technologies;
• Performs development, testing, and validation of capacity enhancing feature plan proposals. Provides input in defining implementation guidelines for approved new features and technologies. Engage Vendors and Strategy team on hardware and software roadmaps and new technologies;
• Manage all Radio planning tools, software and hardware inventories and track upgrades and licensing;
• Provides input to management on tactical and strategic issues. Key contributor to developing products strategy;
• Collaborates with legal, SLT and CAK to ensure regulatory compliance;
• Prepares accurate and timely equipment forecast for new nominal. Define need for capacity, coverage and quality sites. Ensure timely release of all new site plans;
• Participate in MSVs, SAVs and IBS survey visits;
• Enforce site sharing as much as possible to reduce on our Capex and Opex;
• Prepare and coordinate issuance of redesigns, integration parameters and BTS signoffs as per SLA;
• Coordinate and carry out Post debar site evaluation to ensure optimal performance of all new sites. Engage with Regional Optimization teams to optimize new sites to ensure they meet defined KPIs;
• Collects, processes and reviews drive test data. Works with other RF Engineers to evaluate and resolve issues. Updates databases with resolution or actions taken;
• Support other business units on technical evaluation of RF solutions on existing and emerging technology plans and strategies;
• Manage all Radio planning tools, software and hardware inventories and track upgrades and licensing.

Qualifications

• BSc. Honors degree in Electrical/Electronic engineering with bias towards telecommunications;
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to details, Communication and interpersonal skills, Excellent trouble shooting and problem solving skills;
• 2 years’ experience in telecommunication;
• Candidates with experience in, Nokia, or Huawei radio equipment will have an added advantage;
• Knowledge of 3G & 2G networks and interoperability with 4G is a must;
• Basic knowledge in traffic modeling, coverage and capacity forecasting & management. Knowledge in tele-traffic Engineering, LTE, and U900 is a plus;