LMR Performance Engineer

About Harris County and Universal Services:

Harris County Universal Services (Universal Services) is transforming the way the County does business and seeking a Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Engineer to join our team.

Universal Services is the enterprise IT solutions center for the departments and offices of Harris County providing Information Technology Public Safety and Justice Technologies 311 Constituent Engagement Services Fleet Services and Records and Information Governance Services.

Harris County is the third largest and most diverse county in the nation with a population of more than 4.7 million. Harris County Commissioners Court the Countys governing body directs a budget of more than $4 billion providing essential services including flood control infrastructure healthcare housing and justice administration.

This is a great time to join Universal Services as we enhance critical services to Harris County residents and internal customers.

Position Overview:

The Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Performance Engineer is responsible for the configuration monitoring maintenance and operational integrity of Harris Countys Motorola digital trunked radio system. This role ensures the availability and reliability of land mobile radio (LMR) services for first responders and public safety users.

This position requires in-depth knowledge of Motorola public safety radio systems IP networking RF propagation encryption and in-building coverage systems. The successful candidate will play a lead role in troubleshooting maintaining system performance coordinating upgrades and supporting interoperability across more than 50 regional partner agencies.

Job Responsibilities:

System Administration & Monitoring

• Administer a Motorola ASTRO 25 system including:

Zone Controllers Prime Site Equipment Site Controllers

RF Sites (Simulcast and ASR)

MCC 7500 Dispatch Consoles and logging recorder interfaces

• Monitor system performance using Motorola-provided tools (e.g. Unified Event Manager Performance Management System Health Monitor Unified Network Configurator).

• Manage system alarms and escalate issues in coordination with Motorolas System Support Center (SSC) as needed.

Maintenance Upgrades and Patching

• Coordinate and perform life-cycle maintenance activities such as:

Firmware upgrades and software refreshes

Windows Server patching on Core and Prime site infrastructure

Routine failover testing of system redundancy (e.g. Prime/Secondary Zone Controllers)

• Collaborate with Motorola Technical Support and Field Services during SR roll outs and major network enhancements.

• Participate in testing and failover exercises to verify system redundancy and reliability.

Troubleshooting & Incident Response

• Act as Tier III support for radio system outages degraded performance interference issues and encryption/key management problems.

• Analyze RF issues using field test equipment (spectrum analyzers service monitors test sets) and software tools (Radio Management Coverage Analysis).

• Perform root cause analysis and produce after-action documentation for major system events.

Configuration & Engineering Support

• Assist in managing radio fleet map templates talk group configurations and subscriber profiles through Motorola Radio Management or CPS platforms.

• Support radio programming initiatives encryption key loading (KVL 4000 KMF management) and template distribution.

• Work with the engineering team on capacity planning frequency coordination and coverage improvement initiatives.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date technical documentation including:

IP addressing schemes VLAN assignments topology diagrams

Change management records and SR implementation logs

FCC licensing records and frequency coordination documentation

• Ensure compliance with best practices such as Motorola R56 grounding and site standards.

Collaboration & Training

• Interface with system users (dispatch centers field personnel IT staff) to resolve issues collect feedback and provide guidance.

• Develop internal SOPs and training documentation for junior staff and system users.

• Participate in project teams for system expansion site upgrades or integration of new technologies (e.g. LTE interoperability).

• Participate in on-call rotation and support emergency operations during major events or disasters.

• Serve as a technical liaison to Harris County departments municipal partners and outside agencies.

Interoperability and In-Building Coverage

• Support interoperability testing with regional and mutual aid partners via ISSI/CSSI gateways.

• Collaborate with the Harris County Fire Marshals Office and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) on building radio coverage issues.

• Conduct or review in-building signal grid testing per NFPA 1225 and Safer Buildings Coalition standards.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
you need special services or accommodations please call or email .
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and even when considered may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Preferred Education:

• Associate or bachelors degree in Telecommunications Electrical Engineering Information Technology Computer Science Information Systems or related field is preferred.

Preferred Experience:

• Ten (10) or more years of technical experience in telecommunications or LMR systems administration and performance engineering.

Preferred Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Preferred familiarity with the Safer Buildings Coalition NFPA 1221/1225 and local Fire Code requirements for public safety communications.

• Experience with Motorola Radio Management CPS and software tools for provisioning and diagnostics.

• Experience with IP networking principles including VLANs QoS firewalls and routing protocols.

• Familiarity with encryption technologies and key management protocols (e.g. KMF OTAR).

Licensure:

• Must possess a valid drivers license and be able to travel within the systems coverage area.