RF Planner ​/ Network Design Engineer (LTE, 5G & RAN Optimization) | | United Kingdom

Job Title:

RF Planner / Network Design Engineer (LTE, 5G & RAN Optimization) | Fuel Recruitment | London, United Kingdom

Recruiting Company:
Fuel Recruitment

Job Location:

London, United Kingdom (Hybrid – 1 Day Per Week in Office)

Job Type: Permanent (Initial Fixed-Term Contract Considered)

Application Method:
Email:  Phone:

• Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 per Year
• Hybrid Working Model
• Experience
  
  Required:
  
  3–5 Years
• Telecom Radio Network Planning & Optimization Role
• Immediate and Experienced Telecom Candidates Encouraged to Apply

Fuel Recruitment is seeking a talented RF Planner / Network Design Engineer to support LTE and 5G radio network planning, optimization, and performance improvement activities. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge mobile network technologies, helping operators deliver superior coverage, capacity, and customer experience across evolving wireless networks.

As an RF Planner / Network Design Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing LTE and 5G radio networks to ensure optimal performance, coverage, and capacity. Working closely with radio optimization, planning, and performance teams, you will contribute to network expansion projects, performance improvement initiatives, and day-to-day optimization activities. The role requires strong analytical capabilities, an understanding of radio planning principles, and hands‑on experience interpreting network KPIs and performance metrics.

You will play a key role in improving customer experience through data‑driven optimization strategies while supporting the deployment and evolution of next‑generation mobile network technologies.

• Perform LTE and 5G radio network planning and design activities.
• Conduct coverage and capacity analysis to support network growth and optimization.
• Develop radio design solutions to improve network quality and performance.
• Analyze network KPIs and identify areas for performance enhancement.
• Execute day-to-day radio network optimization activities.
• Support network expansion, modernization, and capacity planning projects.
• Evaluate drive test and performance data to recommend optimization actions.
• Troubleshoot radio network performance issues and conduct root cause analysis.
• Collaborate with RAN, transmission, and core network teams to resolve service-impacting issues.
• Prepare technical reports, network performance assessments, and optimization recommendations.
• Support rollout and deployment activities for LTE and 5G technologies.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on customer experience and network efficiency.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• 3–5 years of experience in RF Planning, Radio Network Design, or RAN Optimization.
• Strong knowledge of LTE radio planning and optimization methodologies.
• Good understanding of 5G , planning principles, and optimization techniques.
• Experience performing coverage and capacity analysis.
• Hands‑on experience with network KPI analysis and performance reporting.
• Strong understanding of radio propagation, coverage, and interference management.
• Experience with radio network optimization and performance improvement activities.
• Ability to analyze network performance data and propose optimization solutions.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

• Experience with radio planning tools such as Atoll, Planet, or Asset.
• Knowledge of drive test tools such as TEMS, Nemo, or similar platforms.
• Experience with VoLTE and 5G NSA/SA optimization.
• Familiarity with automation, scripting, or data analytics tools.
• Experience working with major mobile network operators or telecom vendors.

For radio planning and optimization roles, hiring managers look for candidates who can demonstrate measurable improvements in network KPIs such as coverage, throughput, accessibility, retainability, and customer experience. Be sure to highlight successful LTE or 5G planning projects, optimization achievements, capacity expansions, and any tools or methodologies used to deliver quantifiable network performance improvements.