Responsibilities

The primary purpose of the System Performance Engineer is to coordinate RF performance activities for a designated zone in the network. This includes the monitoring and analysis of system/site/sector statistics, diagnostic monitor outputs, customer trouble tickets, employee trouble tickets and information from other departments; detection and correction of performance problems; adjustment and documentation of RF parameter settings, completion and analysis of drive tests; verification of new software loads and other network reconfigurations and upgrades; and the specification and acceptance of antenna, cell site, and DAS modifications / additions / deletions. The System Performance Engineer is accountable for meeting or exceeding the established RF performance criteria for the specific zone. This engineer will be responsible a cluster of cells in the Central Illinois market, job location will be in Springfield IL.

Monitor and meet System Performance goals including VoLTE Ineffective Attempts and VoLTE Lost Calls, SEER, CDMA Ineffective Attempts and CDMA Lost Calls, Failed Connection Attempts and Dropped Connections for EVDO, and RRC Set Up Failures and Bearer Drops in LTE networks. Optimization and project management of problem areas in order to improve performance and/or capacity through the use of field changeable parameters or base station reconfiguration:

• Antenna replacement, down tilt, azimuth and height
• Handoff parameters
• Neighbor lists
• Base station transmit power
• Relocation of sectors or sites
• Addition or deletion of sites
• Documentation of all changes

Perform all RF Performance activities required to support the network build program (new cells, EVDO, CDMA and LTE carrier additions etc.).

Analyze baseline, Nielsen, Root Metrics results and implement solutions for improving those results.

Monitor network performance (using SMS alerts, Real Time Tools, stats reports) and respond to system problems. Implement corrective actions in a timely manner.

Support the team in responding to all customer and employee trouble tickets:

• Investigate troubles
• Provide information to close a ticket
• Call customer or employee if necessary

Support the team to respond to interference cases:

• Perform measurements and tests to verify or dispute the interference case
• Resolve the interference case or find interferer.

Support in-building and special event coverage as requested by Sales, Marketing and Public Relations:

• Test coverage at subject location
• Evaluate DAS designs, installations, and complete all testing.

Provide input to Traffic and Fixed Network on capacity requirements

Conduct drive testing, analyze drive data results and monitor stats for new site integration, system optimization, and activation.

Coordinate with RF Engineering in designing and deploying channel elements and carrier additions to prevent system blocking and support network growth. Support adding network equipment and performance monitoring for special events.

Work closely with Operations Group, Vendor, and Design Engineers to troubleshoot network and hardware issues.

Review all aspects of job functions and recommend new procedures, programs, or test tools to enable greater job productivity.

Interface with project manager, real estate, construction, switch/field operations, engineering, sales, marketing, finance and legal to assure that Verizon Wireless's network quality and financial objectives are met

Develop expertise in the following areas:

Urban, suburban, and rural RF optimization

b) small cells

c) repeaters

d) amplifiers

e) antennas

f) handsets

g) diagnostic monitors

h) other RF related devices, topics or tools

Perform monthly store visits for assigned offices and record feedback.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/ Computer Engineering with specialization in RF or Communications Systems.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in cellular or telecommunications industry.
• Excellent problem solving, analytical and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated positive, proactive leadership abilities.
• Knowledge of LTE and CDMA technologies.
• Familiarity with Alcatel Lucent infrastructure.
• Understanding of call processing (originations, handoffs) and data networking (switching/routing, TCP/IP).
• Antenna design and propagation knowledge.
• Understanding of interference detection and correction techniques.
• Familiarity with RF data collection/analysis tools and RF test equipment (e.g. DataPro, Actix, frequency scanners, spectrum analyzers).
• Computer programming knowledge & skills.
• Flexibility in work schedule (some nights required).
• Must be self-motivated and resourceful.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access.

Required - driver's license and good driving record.

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Verizon is a Federal Contractor
• Verizon requests veteran priority referrals
• Verizon is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer M/F/Disability/Vet.