Technical Project Manager - Radio Frequency

Technical Project Manager – RF

Location: Remote, North Carolina (NC)
Work Arrangement: Remote or Hybrid
Travel Requirements: Minimal travel, based on project and/or team needs

Position Summary

Pierson Wireless is seeking an experienced Technical Project Manager – RF to lead the design, commissioning, integration, optimization, and acceptance of Radio Access Network (RAN) deployments supporting indoor wireless solutions for major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

This role uniquely combines hands-on RF engineering expertise with disciplined technical project management. The TPM directs assigned RF engineers and coordinates execution from initial planning through final carrier acceptance. As a working lead, this individual directly performs engineering tasks to resolve complex technical issues, address resource gaps, and maintain critical project commitments.

Working alongside the Project Manager and cross-functional teams, this position owns the RF workstream, including deliverables, technical quality, milestones, risks, and dependencies, while supporting overall project schedule and budget commitments.

Duties and Responsibilities

Technical Leadership and Hands-On Engineering

1. Technical Direction: Lead RF engineers supporting RAN deployments of RF sources connected to indoor Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and associated Distributed RAN (D-RAN) deployments, including relevant macro and colocation interfaces.

2. Hands-On Execution: Lead and directly perform RF planning, design, configuration validation, commissioning, integration, troubleshooting, and optimization as needed.

3. Quality Assurance: Develop, review, and finalize technical deliverables for accuracy, completeness, constructability, and adherence to carrier specifications.

4. Issue Resolution: Resolve complex technical issues, making key technical decisions and escalating resource needs when necessary.

5. Standards and Ownership: Establish clear ownership, technical standards, and completion criteria for all engineering tasks.

RF Workstream Planning and Delivery

1. Scope and Schedule Alignment: Define RF scope, deliverables, milestones, resources, and dependencies in partnership with the Project Manager, ensuring RF schedules remain strictly aligned with overall project timelines.

2. Tracking and Risk Management: Track workstream progress, proactively identify delivery risks, and implement effective mitigation and recovery plans.

3. Change and Budget Management: Evaluate RF scope changes, communicate schedule, cost, and resource impacts, monitor engineering effort, and support project budget tracking.

4. Documentation: Maintain technical status reports, action logs, decision records, and comprehensive carrier acceptance documentation.

Customer and Project Coordination

1. Customer Interface: Serve as the primary technical point of contact for MNO customers, coordinating broader communications with the Project Manager.

2. Compliance Alignment: Ensure technical execution strictly aligns with carrier implementation standards, performance requirements, and acceptance criteria.

3. Technical Reviews: Lead customer and vendor technical reviews, establishing clear decisions, assigning action items, and ensuring timely follow-through.

4. Approvals and Submissions: Prepare technical submissions, resolve carrier comments, and secure required engineering approvals.

RF Performance, Compliance and Optimization

1. Performance Analysis: Perform and oversee coverage, capacity, and network performance analysis using Atoll or equivalent RF planning tools.

2. Troubleshooting: Utilize carrier Operations Support Systems (OSS) and performance reports to troubleshoot issues and implement corrective actions.

3. Regulatory Compliance: Coordinate validation of applicable E911 requirements, jurisdictional mandates, and carrier standards.

4. Testing and Acceptance: Establish readiness criteria, verify prerequisites, and complete required field testing, performance validation, and technical documentation prior to final carrier acceptance.

Cross-Functional Execution and Continuous Improvement

1. Cross-Team Coordination: Coordinate RF activities with site acquisition, design, construction, structural engineering, field operations, and commissioning teams.

2. Readiness Validation: Validate approved designs, site access, equipment availability, and construction readiness prior to key handoffs.

3. Communication and Improvement: Communicate technical blockers, project impacts, and mitigation options to the Project Manager and key stakeholders. Apply lessons learned to standardize practices, reduce rework, and streamline delivery.

Benefits

1. Competitive compensation.

2. Medical, vision, and dental insurance — employer pays 100% of employees' premiums.

3. FSA/DCFSA program eligibility.

4. 401(k) retirement savings with employer match — eligible after 90 days.

5. Employer-provided short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment — eligible after one year.

6. Employer health and wellness program.

7. Meal stipend while traveling.

8. Paid travel time.

9. Paid training and certifications.

10. Paid vacation.

11. Paid sick leave.

12. Paid holidays.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

1. RF Engineering Experience: 5+ years of hands-on RF engineering experience supporting RAN deployments for major MNOs.

2. Hands-On Execution: Proven ability to independently perform RF design, deployment, and troubleshooting tasks with minimal oversight.

3. Network Architectures: Strong knowledge of RAN, D-RAN, and indoor/outdoor DAS, with a heavy emphasis on indoor wireless integration.

4. OEM Platforms: Direct proficiency with Ericsson and Nokia LTE/5G hardware, software, configuration, and deployment workflows.

5. Tools and Platforms: Direct experience with Atoll or equivalent RF planning tools and carrier OSS platforms.

6. Deployment and Acceptance: Practical experience with commissioning, integration, configuration validation, optimization, and securing carrier acceptance.

7. Standards and Infrastructure: Working knowledge of venue-based wireless infrastructure, applicable E911 requirements, carrier guidelines, and macro/colocation environments.

8. Team Leadership: 3+ years of experience leading technical telecommunications projects or engineering teams.

9. Multi-Site Delivery: Demonstrated success managing concurrent, multi-site RF workstreams within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.

10. Resource and Risk Management: Experience managing resources, risks, dependencies, and scope changes across cross-functional teams, including Project Managers, field operations, construction, vendors, and customers.

11. Working Lead Capabilities: Proven ability to balance team leadership and project coordination with direct, hands-on engineering execution.

12. Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of translating complex technical issues into clear decisions and business impacts.

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies

1. Experience delivering technical workstreams across multiple major MNO environments simultaneously.

2. Experience leading geographically dispersed engineering and field deployment teams.

3. Demonstrated track record of improving engineering workflows, accelerating carrier acceptance timelines, and reducing rework.

Demands and Work Environment

1. Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand program and project interdependencies and organizational impact.

2. Operational Acumen: Strong understanding of revenue flow, margin management, and operational performance.

3. Influence Without Authority: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct reporting lines.

4. Executive Communication: Skilled at translating complex technical and operational concepts into clear, concise messaging.

5. Agility: Comfortable managing multiple programs with shifting priorities and timelines.

6. Problem Solving: Strong analytical mindset focused on actionable solutions.

7. Travel: Minimal travel required, based on project and/or team needs.

8. Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

   • Work in both remote (home) and active construction environments.

   • Ability to navigate job sites, access equipment areas, and use standard field equipment.

   • Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.