Senior Wireless Engineer

Job Description

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.

Responsibilities

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 integration.
• Create detailed wireless network design documentation, including network diagrams, hardware specifications, configuration guidelines, and security policies.
• Evaluate new and emerging wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi 6E and future generations, and assess their potential for improving Ford's wireless infrastructure.
• Ensure that wireless network designs comply with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and Ford's internal policies.
• Identify and assess potential risks associated with wireless network designs and develop mitigation strategies.
• Conduct capacity planning to ensure that the wireless network can support current and future bandwidth demands.
• Work closely with other IT teams, such as network engineers, security engineers, and system administrators, to ensure seamless integration of wireless services.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on wireless network design and architecture.
• Identify opportunities to optimize wireless network designs for cost efficiency without compromising performance or security.
• Incorporate security best practices into wireless network designs, including authentication, encryption, and access control.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Create and maintain detailed documentation of wireless network designs, configurations, and procedures.
• Generate regular reports on wireless network performance, utilization, and security.
• Develop and deliver training materials for Enterprise Platform Engineering & Operations (EPEO) staff, Plant/Site IT, and end-users on wireless technologies.

Wireless Technology Evaluation:

• Evaluate new and emerging wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi 6E/7, and assess their potential for improving Ford's wireless infrastructure.
• Conduct proof-of-concept testing to validate the performance and feasibility of new wireless technologies.
• Provide recommendations on wireless technology adoption and standardization.
• Research and test new features included in latest IOS-XE software releases

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with other EPEO teams, including network engineers, security engineers, and system administrators, to ensure seamless integration of wireless services.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, providing updates on wireless projects and initiatives.
• Participate in industry forums and conferences to stay abreast of the latest wireless trends and best practices.

Other Wireless Technologies:

• Provide support for other wireless technologies, including 5G cellular, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), LoRaWAN, 800/900MHz, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and CURWB.
• Assist in the design and implementation of solutions leveraging these technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Cyber Security, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in wireless network engineering.
• Expert-level knowledge of Wi-Fi technologies, including 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be standards, and mobility/roaming & relevant enhancements including 802.11r/k/v
• Extensive experience with Cisco wireless infrastructure, including access points, wireless LAN controllers, and management tools (Prime Infrastructure, Catalyst Center).
• Strong technical writing capabilities
• Proficiency with using GenAI (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini) in the creation of documentation, automation, and reporting
• Strong understanding of RF principles, antenna theory, and wireless security protocols.
• Experience with Cisco Identity Pre-Shared Key (iPSK)
• Proficiency with deploying APs in different modes including Local, FlexConnect, Bridge/Mesh, Workgroup Bridge (WGB), and Fabric
• Proficiency in performing site surveys and creating/updating Wireless RF designs using Ekahau, iBWave, Airmagnet, or similar software.
• Experience with outdoor wireless deployments, including antenna selection, mounting techniques, and grounding/lightning protection.
• Experience with wireless device testing and certification.
• Solid understanding of underlying LAN technologies, including PoE standards, topologies (3-tier, SD-Access)
• Solid understanding of Cisco routing & switching, multicast, and QoS
• Experience deploying QoS in wireless environments
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong technical writing capabilities
• Relevant certifications, such as CWNA, CWDP, CWSP, CWNE, CCNP Enterprise (Wireless Design and/or Wireless Implementation specialist), or CCIE Enterprise Wireless are highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Agile project management methodology and tools (e.g., Scrum, Kanban, Jira)

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

For a detailed look at our benefits, click here: Benefit Summary

This position is a salary grade 8.

This position is a range of salary grades 8.

* Please note: This is a hybrid role, you are expected to relocate if you are not within commutable distance, and responsible to be on site at minimum 1-3 day per week *

*Visa Sponsorship is not provided for this role*

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, If you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

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