1

Rf Drive Testing Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

At Jump, research outcomes drive more than superior risk adjusted returns. We design, develop, and ... testing Debugging RF issues in development and production Skills You'll Need: Experience with ...

RF Hardware Engineer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

At Jump, research outcomes drive more than superior risk adjusted returns. We design, develop, and ... field testing โ€ข Debugging RF issues in development and production Skills You'll Need: โ€ข ...

RF Hardware Engineer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$150 - $200/hr

At Jump, research outcomes drive more than superior risk adjusted returns. We design, develop, and ... Conducting lab and field testing * Debugging RF issues in development and production Skills You'll ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

Rf Drive Testing information

See Illinois salary details

$35.9K

$114K

$177.3K

How much do rf drive testing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for rf drive testing in Illinois is $114,035.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,500.00 and $134,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is RF drive testing?

RF drive testing is the process of evaluating and measuring the performance of wireless networks by physically driving through specific routes with specialized equipment. This equipment collects data on signal strength, coverage, call quality, and other key parameters. The collected data helps network engineers identify issues such as dropped calls, weak signal areas, or interference, which are then used to optimize and improve network performance. RF drive testing is essential for ensuring reliable cellular service, especially during network rollout or upgrades.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an RF drive testing engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an RF Drive Testing Engineer, you need a strong grasp of wireless communication principles, RF propagation, and mobile network technologies, typically supported by an engineering degree in electronics, telecommunications, or a related field. Familiarity with drive test tools such as TEMS, NEMO, or Agilent, as well as proficiency with data analysis software and basic understanding of GIS systems, is crucial. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help you excel in troubleshooting and collaborating with optimization teams. These skills ensure accurate data collection, analysis, and optimization, which are critical for maintaining high-quality mobile network performance.

What is the difference between Rf Drive Testing vs Rf Field Testing?

AspectRf Drive TestingRf Field Testing
Work EnvironmentMobile, on-the-road testing using vehiclesStationary or on-site testing at specific locations
Required CredentialsRF knowledge, driving license, technical skillsRF knowledge, technical skills, often similar certifications
Industry UsageNetwork coverage validation, performance testingSignal quality assessment, troubleshooting

Rf Drive Testing involves mobile testing using vehicles to evaluate network performance across areas, while Rf Field Testing typically occurs at fixed locations for detailed signal analysis. Both roles require RF expertise and are essential for network optimization, but they differ mainly in mobility and testing environment.

What are some common challenges faced by RF drive test engineers during field testing, and how can they be overcome?

RF Drive Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as equipment malfunctions, inconsistent signal quality due to weather or terrain, and coordinating with local authorities for site access. To overcome these, it's essential to conduct thorough equipment checks before each test, plan routes that account for geographic and urban obstacles, and maintain clear communication with both the project team and local contacts. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are key in adapting to unexpected issues that can arise during fieldwork.
What are the most commonly searched types of Rf Drive Testing jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Rf Drive Testing jobs in Illinois are:
What job categories do people searching Rf Drive Testing jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Rf Drive Testing jobs in Illinois are:
Infographic showing various Rf Drive Testing job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,035 per year, or $54.8 per hour.

Senior 5G RF Optimization Engineer

Myticas Consulting

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Senior 5G RF Optimization Engineer

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Position Overview

The Senior 5G RF Optimization Engineer will be responsible for optimizing the performance, reliability, and quality of 5G radio access networks in both Standalone and Non-Standalone environments.

This role combines deep technical expertise with customer engagement, service delivery, and pre-sales support. The successful candidate will lead network-performance initiatives, resolve complex technical issues, recommend improvements, and present innovative solutions to customers and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the radio-frequency optimization of 5G Standalone and Non-Standalone networks.

  • Troubleshoot and improve key performance indicators related to throughput, accessibility, retainability, latency, capacity, and coverage.

  • Conduct detailed KPI analysis, identify root causes, and resolve network-performance issues and service outages.

  • Lead technical discussions with customers to identify improvement opportunities and recommend effective solutions.

  • Develop and present network-performance findings, optimization recommendations, and status reports.

  • Recommend and implement radio-network parameter changes to improve performance.

  • Support the implementation and tuning of new 5G radio-access-network features.

  • Analyze neighbour relationships and implement required corrections.

  • Investigate end-user and customer-reported network issues.

  • Provide on-site network-design, optimization, and performance-support services.

  • Contribute technical expertise during pre-sales discussions, customer presentations, and service-delivery activities.

  • Deliver technical training covering multi-vendor, multi-technology, multi-band radio networks.

  • Develop optimization processes, technical guidelines, and operational best practices.

  • Ensure all work complies with established processes, methodologies, tools, and service-quality standards.

  • Collaborate with local and international engineering teams to deliver high-quality customer outcomes.

Required Qualifications
  • Minimum of five years of experience optimizing 5G radio-access networks.

  • Minimum of two years of experience supporting Voice over New Radio and Voice over LTE.

  • Minimum of ten years of RF optimization experience across LTE and UMTS networks.

  • Strong experience optimizing live commercial 5G networks.

  • Expert knowledge of 5G radio-network KPIs and performance counters.

  • Demonstrated expertise creating, analyzing, and presenting statistical KPI reports.

  • Experience with RF drive-testing and measurement tools such as TEMS or equivalent platforms.

  • Experience with drive-test post-processing and analysis tools such as Actix or equivalent platforms.

  • Strong understanding of radio-network parameters, mobility, neighbour relations, interference, coverage, capacity, and call-flow analysis.

  • Proven ability to investigate complex end-user and customer network issues.

  • Experience providing technical support directly to customers, including on-site engagements.

  • Ability to develop technical processes, guidelines, training materials, and optimization standards.

  • Strong focus on network quality, service excellence, and customer satisfaction.

  • Excellent leadership, collaboration, presentation, and communication skills.

  • Ability to work effectively within international and cross-functional teams.

  • Strong customer-relationship-management skills.

Education

Bachelorโ€™s or masterโ€™s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.

#J-18808-Ljbffr