Associate Wireless & Microwave Network Engineer

STARTOUCH INC • Bellingham, WA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

StarTouch Broadband Services designs, builds, and operates carrier-grade wireless and fiber networks throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our engineering team is responsible for delivering innovative broadband solutions that connect homes, businesses, and communities across diverse geographic environments.
We are seeking an Associate Wireless & Microwave Network Engineer to join our growing Engineering Team. This position is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career engineering professional who is passionate about wireless technologies, telecommunications, networking, and broadband infrastructure.
This role is designed as a career development opportunity, providing direct mentorship from experienced engineering leadership while offering hands-on exposure to RF engineering, microwave transport, fiber transport, outside plant (OSP) design, network planning, and broadband deployment projects.
We are looking for someone who is intelligent, curious, highly motivated, and eager to learn. Strong technical aptitude, problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude are more important to us than years of industry experience.
The Associate Wireless & Microwave Network Engineer will support the planning, design, deployment, documentation, and optimization of StarTouch's broadband infrastructure, including fixed wireless, microwave transport, and fiber network solutions.
Working closely with the RF Engineering Manager and other engineering staff, this individual will participate in all phases of network engineering, from site planning and network design through implementation and ongoing operational support.
This role offers exposure to both office-based engineering and occasional field activities, providing a well-rounded foundation for a long-term career in telecommunications engineering.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, RF Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Expected graduation within six (6) months of hire date.
• Understanding of wireless communications fundamentals.
• Knowledge of basic RF principles, propagation concepts, and antenna systems.
• Understanding of networking fundamentals, including IP networking concepts.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong intellectual curiosity and desire to learn.
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Detail-oriented approach to engineering and documentation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Nice To Haves

• Fixed wireless broadband technologies
• Microwave transport systems
• Fiber optic network infrastructure
• Cambium, Tarana, Ubiquiti, Mimosa, or similar wireless platforms
• GIS and mapping applications
• AutoCAD or similar drafting tools
• RF planning tools such as LinkPlanner, Radio Mobile, iBwave, Atoll, or Planet
• Linux, scripting, or automation experience
• CCNA-level networking knowledge
• Telecommunications internships, capstone projects, research programs, or relevant personal projects

Responsibilities

• Support the design and optimization of fixed wireless broadband networks.
• Assist with RF propagation studies, coverage analysis, interference evaluation, and link design.
• Support spectrum planning and wireless network performance analysis.
• Participate in wireless capacity planning and network expansion projects.
• Analyze network performance metrics and recommend improvements.
• Assist with the design and engineering of point-to-point microwave transport systems.
• Perform path analysis, link budget calculations, and fade margin evaluations.
• Support deployment, testing, and optimization of microwave transport networks.
• Assist in troubleshooting wireless and transport network performance issues.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, construction drawings, network diagrams, and site plans.
• Assist with tower, rooftop, fiber, and wireless infrastructure planning.
• Review site surveys, GIS data, photographs, and drone imagery to support engineering decisions.
• Support development of broadband expansion projects utilizing wireless, microwave, and fiber technologies.
• Maintain accurate engineering records and infrastructure databases.
• Assist in developing customer and network solutions utilizing fixed wireless, microwave, and fiber transport technologies.
• Evaluate existing network infrastructure and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support project planning, bill-of-material development, and technical design package creation.
• Assist with project cost estimates under the guidance of senior engineering staff.
• Coordinate with equipment manufacturers, telecommunications carriers, and service providers to support network deployments.
• Support engineering project execution by tracking deliverables, schedules, and implementation milestones.
• Work closely with Operations, Construction, Field Services, and Engineering teams throughout project lifecycles.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Company paid Vision and dental benefits
• Additional ancillary benefits for accident, hospitalization, long term and short term disability, special event, and cancer are available at the employee’s expense.
• $100,000 company paid life insurance coverage which can be increased by employee contributions
• 401K basic retirement plan w/matching contribution plan
• 10 paid holidays - New Years, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and your Birthday.
• Seventeen (17) PTO days per year. Twenty-two days (22) after four (4) years of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level