Communications Systems Specialist

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, program, maintain, and troubleshoot portable, mobile, base-station, digital, analog, and LTE-enabled radio systems.
• Maintain repeaters, duplexers, multicouplers, combiners, antennas, feedlines, RF distribution equipment, grounding systems, and related radio infrastructure.
• Perform radio fleet management, firmware updates, codeplug maintenance, talkgroup/channel configuration, and subscriber provisioning.
• Conduct RF coverage testing, drive/walk testing, signal-strength validation, and coverage gap analysis across surface and underground work areas.
• Troubleshoot interference, signal degradation, poor audio quality, failed equipment, antenna issues, cabling faults, and network connectivity problems.
• Support dispatch radio consoles, recording systems, emergency communication channels, paging/alerting systems, and radio interoperability requirements.
• Manage daily operations of the communications/radio shop, including work prioritization, service requests, repairs, and field support coordination.
• Maintain inventory of radios, batteries, chargers, antennas, accessories, spare parts, programming cables, test equipment, and critical communications supplies.
• Calibrate, repair, bench test, and document communications equipment using approved test equipment and standard operating procedures.
• Maintain accurate documentation, including radio asset records, codeplug versions, frequency/talkgroup assignments, repair history, maintenance schedules, wiring diagrams, and site configuration records.
• Cook up vendor support, warranty repairs, contractor activities, licensing support, and equipment lifecycle planning for communication systems.
• Coordinate deployment, optimization, and maintenance of private LTE infrastructure supporting mining operations and operational technology applications.
• Configure and support LTE base stations, EPC/core components, SIM management, subscriber provisioning, and device onboarding processes.
• Monitor LTE and radio network performance, analyze alarms, review system logs, and resolve connectivity or performance issues.
• Coordinate LTE and radio integration with dispatch, fleet management, telemetry, safety systems, security systems, and other operational technologies.
• Perform communications network performance analysis, capacity planning, and reliability improvement recommendations.
• Assist with migration planning from legacy radio systems to LTE-enabled or hybrid communication solutions.
• Support microwave, wireless backhaul, fiber optic, Ethernet, and IP-based communications infrastructure associated with site communications reliability.
• Monitor system health using network management, radio management, and monitoring tools; escalate issues as needed to ensure timely resolution.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance routines for radio sites, antenna systems, subscriber equipment, batteries, shelters, cabinets, and tower-related infrastructure.
• Support emergency response readiness by testing critical radio channels, backup power, failover paths, and communications procedures.

Qualifications

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Electronics Technology, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering Technology, Information Technology, or a related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Two to five years of experience supporting industrial communications systems.
• Experience maintaining two-way radio systems in mining, industrial, utility, oil and gas, or heavy manufacturing environments.
• Experience with Motorola, Kenwood, or similar enterprise radio platforms.
• Experience programming and maintaining portable, mobile, base-station, repeater, and dispatch radio systems.
• Experience with RF troubleshooting, antenna systems, coaxial cabling, propagation concepts, and radio coverage analysis.
• Experience supporting IP-based communications networks, wireless backhaul, fiber, Ethernet, and field communications infrastructure.
• Effective communication and customer service skills, with the ability to support users at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, document technical work clearly, and support field operations in a dynamic environment.