Wireless Network Engineer / Tower Climber

Benefits :

401(k)

Company car

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

Wireless Network Engineer / Tower Climber

Industry : Telecommunications                                   Position Type : Full-Time

Location : Sylva, NC (Must live in WNC footprint)       Years of Experience : 1+ Year Preferred

Department :   Network & VoIP Operations                Post Date :   8 / 11 / 2025

OBJECTIVE

To provide quality Wireless Internet service to the WNC region.  To grow and deliver the best alternative solution to fiber in communities that fall within the BalsamWest footprint.  To serve underserved areas.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is a full-time, 40-hour-plus position.  You will report to the Network Operations Manager.  This position will primarily be responsible for the management, maintenance, and turn-up of wireless infrastructure.  You will be responsible for all site planning and engineering necessary for the successful operation and deployment of towers, backhaul positions, and base station sites. You will provide field service support, route client traffic, work trouble tickets, provision equipment, and fulfill orders. Resolve / correct all network issues.  After normal business hours will be required, including an on-call rotation. You must be willing to work more than 40 hours per week as the objectives require. Duties include monitoring and responding to alarms and occasional maintenance during night hours.

At BalsamWest, we believe in growing our own talent. If you’re a dedicated employee with a passion for learning, we encourage you to apply — even if you don’t meet every qualification listed. We’ll provide the training, mentorship, and support you need to develop your skills and achieve your career goals.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Show respect and leadership qualities to your team by being on time (or early) for your daily tasks.  This sets a standard for others to follow.
• Leave the boisterous talk behind.  Speak and listen respectfully in a caring manner to your team and co-workers.
• Remember safety first in your work and demonstrate this to your team.  Drive safely and defensively. Do not talk on your cell phone while driving.  Keep your vehicle clean, inside and out.
• Responsible for maintaining wireless towers, backhaul equipment, and access points
• Finalize engineering of power, cabling, and hardware installation at tower sites
• Communicate with tower owners, assist in the research of new sites, and help maintain positive relationships with property owners
• Review and approve designs for new projects based on off-site survey data
• Assist with wireless-related projects
• Manage monitoring and maintaining the network infrastructure
• Assist with all WISP and FTTx equipment and network uplink hardware
• Work closely with other operations team members
• Provide tech support and leadership for both wireless technicians
• Review trouble reports for hardware, software, equipment, and service concerns with other departments.
• Assist with the setup and testing of new trial equipment, technologies, and programs. Specializing in fixed wireless radio technologies, including CBRS.
• Supporting new employees through on-the-job training and job shadowing.  Transfer of knowledge is critical for employee engagement and growth.
• Demonstrating behaviors that ensure quality customer service and adequately address escalated customer issues. Demonstrate collaborative, engaging behavior with your teams at BalsamWest.
• Conducting on-site inspections to evaluate adherence to safety, engineering, and industry standards
• Responsible for the installation, operation, and administration of network site equipment, transport facilities, D.C. power systems, and generators, but may also, from time to time, install subscriber modules and equipment for commercial customers.
• Complete site surveys for the deployment of new wireless network facilities or to facilitate upgrades to existing towers and infrastructure.
• Maintain sites by performing required incidental and regular preventive maintenance routines, including power equipment (batteries, power plant, rectifiers, generators, etc.), transmission, and associated equipment, and complete necessary logs, reports, and postings. Performs civil maintenance as necessary.
• Communicate and liaise with all other Company departments; notify appropriate parties immediately of any issues that may affect efficient operations, including, but not limited to, outages, service disruptions, and repeated customer complaints.
• Work requires weekend and / or evening work, and some travel may be required
• Installation of cable, wiring, and related tasks.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift 50 Lbs, climb towers, poles, and a 40ft ladder.
• Proficient with Windows and browser software.
• Integration & commissioning.
• Ability to read and understand EF&I MOPs (Methods of Procedures)
• Troubleshooting alarms.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Working in all outdoor weather conditions
• Maintains the antenna systems by troubleshooting faults, and performing voltage standing wave ratio checks (VSWR) and visual inspections. Responsible for antenna alignment and antenna replacement as required.
• Must know pertinent FCC / FAA / EPA / OSHA regulations.
• Utilize computer inputs to create, modify, and / or correct database contents, microwave system analysis, and Digital Cross Connect administration / operation.
• Coordinate clearing of trouble with other groups and organizations, and work with other employees and / or customers in the maintenance and installation of wireless service.
• Use sophisticated electronic test equipment, measuring devices, meters, and hand tools in analyzing, adjusting, installing, wiring, repairing, maintaining, and testing wireless, transmission, and associated equipment.
• Performs all associated administrative functions, including evaluating site statistics, updating daily logs, and internal and external communications; Conducts collection and presentation of field data of the wireless market as required.
• Performs grounding system maintenance.
• Proficient in FTTX & WISP-related radios and equipment, PRTG, and other monitoring software.
• Experienced with choosing and terminating cables for computer and electrical components.
• Comfortable with climbing towers, on ladders, under buildings, and into small spaces.
• Must maintain certification for Tower Climbing & Rescue.
• Familiar with Cat 5e, Cat 6, RG-6, and RG-59 cables.
• Effective at troubleshooting and problem-solving.
• Basic understanding of IP, Ethernet, routing & switching.
• Fiber standards, connectors, & copper cabling.
• Basic knowledge of electrical wiring and differences between AC, positive DC, & negative DC.
• Excellent communication skills are necessary for interaction with customers, vendors, contractors, and other team members.
• Training will be given in developing skills with (a) ethernet, routing & switching, (G. 8032, QoS, BGP, and OSPF), (b) IPSec VPN, ACLs, (c) VoIP, (d) DWDM / ROADM / SONET / TDM, and (e) CBRS as is necessary to complete your job.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Must comply with company and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety policies and requirements.  Must promote safety with team members.
• Obtain CPI certification.

SECONDARY TASKS

• Assist in managing network devices as required by management.
• Duties may involve provisioning circuits or hardware.
• Perform IP hardware, circuit, and backbone capacity planning.
• Assist with the installation of POP and collocation equipment, power, and inside plant.
• Maintenance of our POP facilities.

RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent ability to gather, monitor, and report on key operating metrics;
• Customer service oriented, desire customer satisfaction & achieving operational excellence
• Ability to project manage, analyze and define problems, prioritize workflow, multitask, meet deadlines, and remain flexible
• Be able to use various types of test equipment, including OTDR, Power Meters, Light Sources, and Volt Ohm Meters as required.
• Industry Internetworking certification – Network+, CCENT, CCNA, CCND, CCIE, NRS I & II, CWT, CWNA / NP / SP
• Metro-Ethernet Professional Certified