Senior Wireless Engineer

Ford Motor Company is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Wireless Engineer to join our Wireless Network Engineering team. As a Senior Wireless Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of Ford's wireless network infrastructure, with a primary focus on Wi-Fi technologies. You will leverage your deep understanding of RF principles, wireless protocols, and Cisco wireless solutions to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and security. In addition to Wi-Fi, the team is responsible for other wireless technologies, including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), LoRaWAN, 800/900MHz, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and CURWB. 

This role demands a strong understanding of wireless infrastructure testing and certification, proficiency in performing site surveys and creating/updating Wireless RF designs, and expertise in RF / Cisco Radio Resource Management (RRM). The ideal candidate will be familiar with Mesh deployments, various Cisco access points (including 11ac/Wi-Fi 5 and 11ax/Wi-Fi 6/6E models), Catalyst 9800 and AireOS wireless controllers, and related hardware components. A solid understanding of underlying private cellular, converged wireless networks, and LAN technologies, particularly PoE standards, is essential. Experience with Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Catalyst Center is required, including proficiency in inventory management, troubleshooting, feature utilization, heatmap analysis, and report generation. A significant portion of this role will be focused on RF design, outdoor wireless deployments, comprehensive documentation, and rigorous wireless device testing. 

RF Design and Planning:

• Conduct comprehensive site surveys to determine optimal access point placement and RF coverage for diverse environments, including office spaces, manufacturing floors, and outdoor areas.
• Develop and maintain detailed RF designs, considering factors such as signal strength, interference, channel allocation, and security requirements.
• Ensure appropriate access point layout to support location services
• Utilize Ekahau or similar software (e.g., iBWave, Airmagnet, Hamina) to create predictive models and heatmaps for wireless network performance.

Wireless Infrastructure Implementation and Management:

• Configure, deploy, and maintain Cisco wireless infrastructure components, including access points (2800, 3800, 4800, 1562, C9130, C9124, C9136, CW9166, CW9163E, IW9167), wireless LAN controllers (Catalyst 9800, AireOS 5520/8540), and associated hardware.
• Implement and manage wireless security protocols, including WPA2/3-Enterprise, 802.1X authentication, and guest access controls.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex wireless network issues, utilizing packet capture tools and other diagnostic methods (e.g., Wireless Config Analyzer Engine/WCAE, Wireless Debug Analyzer, Airtool).

Outdoor Wireless Deployments:

• Plan and execute outdoor wireless deployments, considering environmental factors, antenna selection, and mounting techniques.
• Ensure proper grounding and lightning protection for outdoor wireless equipment.
• Optimize wireless performance in outdoor environments, addressing challenges such as foliage attenuation and weather conditions.

Wireless Device Testing and Certification:

• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for wireless devices, including laptops, mobile devices, and IoT sensors.
• Certify wireless devices for compatibility and performance on the Ford network.
• Identify and resolve interoperability issues between wireless devices and infrastructure.

Understood! Here's the bulleted list of responsibilities under the heading "Wireless Network Design & Architecture":

Wireless Network Design & Architecture

• Architect and design robust, scalable, and secure wireless network solutions to meet Ford's evolving business needs, spanning diverse environments.
  Conduct thorough requirements gathering for complex wireless projects, collaborating with stakeholders across multiple network areas (e.g., LAN, security, applications) to ensure alignment.
• Possess a deep understanding of various Catalyst-based wireless architectures, including FlexConnect, Bridge Mode, Fabric Enabled Wireless (SD-Access Wireless), and Meraki LAN & Wireless solutions.
• Determine the appropriate wireless architecture based on project requirements, considering factors such as performance, scalability, security, and manageability.
• Design and execute proof-of-concept testing to validate wireless network designs, assess performance, and identify potential issues before deployment.
• Understand the implications and components required to support location services, such as Cisco Spaces and Catalyst Center, including sensor placement, calibration, and data