How to Apply to SBA Communications

12 min read Last updated April 20, 2026 1 open positions
Blake Crosley
Blake Crosley Researched using publicly available information, hiring data, and ATS analysis.

Key Takeaways

  • SBA Communications is the #3 US tower REIT behind American Tower and Crown Castle, with ~40,000+ towers globally and ~$2.7B in 2024 revenue.
  • Brendan Cavanagh became CEO in January 2024 after 26 years at SBA, succeeding Jeffrey Stoops; founder Steve Bernstein remains Executive Chairman.
  • The careers portal at sbasite.com/careers is custom-built; tailor resumes with precise tower industry keywords and certifications.
  • Roles split between Boca Raton corporate (finance, legal, IR, leasing strategy) and a large US + international field operations footprint.
  • Latin America (especially Brazil) is the primary international growth engine; Portuguese or Spanish fluency is a meaningful advantage.
  • Compensation is competitive for the REIT and tower industry: $90-150K mid-level corporate, $150-250K senior, hourly $20-35 for field technicians, plus RSUs and benefits.
  • Interview process runs four to six weeks for corporate, three to five weeks for field, with strong emphasis on tenure stability and operational substance.
  • 5G amendment activity, tail-end of Sprint/T-Mobile churn, and Latin America expansion (Atlas Tower South Africa 2023) are the main hiring drivers.

About SBA Communications

SBA Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: SBAC) is one of the largest independent owners and operators of wireless communications infrastructure in the world. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida and founded in 1989 by Steven Bernstein, who still serves as Founder and Executive Chairman, SBA owns and operates more than 40,000 cell towers and small cells across the United States, Latin America, and Africa. The company employs roughly 1,800 people and generated approximately $2.7 billion in revenue in 2024. SBA is the third largest publicly-traded US tower company, sitting behind American Tower (NYSE: AMT) and Crown Castle (NYSE: CCI). It is most directly comparable to American Tower in business mix, since Crown Castle is in the process of divesting its fiber business to refocus on towers — which will narrow the gap between the three pure-play tower REITs. The core business is straightforward: SBA owns the physical tower infrastructure and leases vertical space on those towers to wireless carriers under long-term contracts. In the US, the primary tenants are Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile US, DISH Network, and a long tail of smaller wireless and public safety customers. Internationally, SBA leases to América Móvil, Telefónica, TIM, MTN, and other regional carriers. Initial lease terms typically run five to ten years with multiple renewal options and built-in escalators, producing the recurring, contracted revenue stream that makes tower co's attractive to income investors. Growth comes from new tower builds, acquisitions, and amendments — when carriers add new equipment to existing towers, which is high incremental margin since the real estate is already in place. SBA converted to a Real Estate Investment Trust in 2016 and distributes most of its taxable income as dividends. Approximately 80 percent of revenue comes from the United States, with the remaining 20 percent split across a deep Latin American footprint (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru) and an African footprint (South Africa via the Atlas Tower acquisition completed in 2023, plus Tanzania). In January 2024, Brendan Cavanagh succeeded Jeffrey Stoops as Chief Executive Officer. Cavanagh had spent 26 years at SBA, most recently as CFO, and his promotion was an internal succession choice that signaled continuity rather than strategic pivot. Stoops retired after 22 years as CEO. The current macro backdrop combines 5G deployment activity (driving carrier amendment revenue), the tail end of Sprint/T-Mobile merger churn, and elevated interest rates that pressure REIT valuations. Long-tenured employees are common across the organization — Cavanagh's 26-year arc is illustrative of the culture.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Applications are submitted through the careers portal at sbasite

    Applications are submitted through the careers portal at sbasite.com/careers, where you create a profile, upload your resume, and answer screening questions tied to the specific requisition.

  2. 2
    An internal recruiter typically reviews applications within one to two weeks and

    An internal recruiter typically reviews applications within one to two weeks and reaches out by phone or email for an initial 20 to 30 minute conversation covering background, motivation, location flexibility, and compensation expectations.

  3. 3
    Many requisitions include a HireVue or similar one-way video screening with thre

    Many requisitions include a HireVue or similar one-way video screening with three to five behavioral and role-specific questions that you record on your own time.

  4. 4
    A 45 to 60 minute hiring manager interview follows, focused on technical depth f

    A 45 to 60 minute hiring manager interview follows, focused on technical depth for engineering and finance roles or operational experience for site acquisition, leasing, and field roles.

  5. 5
    Panel interviews of two to three rounds with future peers, cross-functional part

    Panel interviews of two to three rounds with future peers, cross-functional partners, and a senior leader are standard for corporate roles, often combined into a single virtual or onsite half-day.

  6. 6
    Field operations and tower technician candidates undergo a practical assessment

    Field operations and tower technician candidates undergo a practical assessment of climbing fitness, certifications (NATE, OSHA), and equipment familiarity in addition to behavioral interviews.

  7. 7
    Reference checks (typically two to three professional references) and a formal b

    Reference checks (typically two to three professional references) and a formal background check are run before a written offer is extended.

  8. 8
    Pre-employment requirements for field roles include drug screening, a DOT physic

    Pre-employment requirements for field roles include drug screening, a DOT physical for climbing positions, motor vehicle record review for any role requiring driving to sites, and verification of certifications.

  9. 9
    Total cycle time runs four to six weeks for corporate roles and three to five we

    Total cycle time runs four to six weeks for corporate roles and three to five weeks for field roles, with offers extended verbally first and followed by a written package within two to three business days.

  10. 10
    International roles in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and other markets follow th

    International roles in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and other markets follow the local SBA subsidiary's process and may include in-country panels conducted in Portuguese or Spanish.

Resume Tips for SBA Communications

recommended

Lead with tower industry or telecom infrastructure experience if you have it — n

Lead with tower industry or telecom infrastructure experience if you have it — name competitors directly (American Tower, Crown Castle, Vertical Bridge, Diamond Communications, Tillman Infrastructure, Phoenix Tower International) so the recruiter can pattern match instantly.

recommended

For site acquisition and real estate roles, surface specific deal counts, dollar

For site acquisition and real estate roles, surface specific deal counts, dollar volumes, zoning approvals secured, and land lease negotiation outcomes; municipalities and jurisdictions worked are valuable keywords.

recommended

RF engineers should call out RAN design, link budgets, propagation modeling, ant

RF engineers should call out RAN design, link budgets, propagation modeling, antenna pattern analysis, frequency bands worked (600 MHz, 700 MHz, AWS, C-band, mmWave), and tools (Atoll, iBwave, Planet).

recommended

Structural engineers must reference TIA-222 (current revision H) and EIA-222 sta

Structural engineers must reference TIA-222 (current revision H) and EIA-222 standards, tower loading analysis, and software like tnxTower; this is the universal vocabulary of tower structural work.

recommended

Field operations and technician resumes should list NATE certifications, OSHA 10

Field operations and technician resumes should list NATE certifications, OSHA 10 or 30, RF awareness training, climbing certifications, rescue training, and any carrier-specific certifications (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile vendor cards).

recommended

Carrier sales and leasing candidates should quantify amendment revenue closed, M

Carrier sales and leasing candidates should quantify amendment revenue closed, MLA (Master Lease Agreement) negotiations, and carrier relationships managed by name where confidentiality permits.

recommended

Finance candidates should highlight REIT-specific experience: AFFO, FFO, same-to

Finance candidates should highlight REIT-specific experience: AFFO, FFO, same-tower revenue growth, taxable income calculations, dividend modeling, and capital markets experience (debt issuance, securitizations).

recommended

For Latin America roles, native or fluent Portuguese (Brazil) or Spanish is non-

For Latin America roles, native or fluent Portuguese (Brazil) or Spanish is non-negotiable — list it at the top of skills with proficiency level and any in-country work experience.

recommended

Use a clean, single-column ATS-friendly format

Use a clean, single-column ATS-friendly format. Avoid graphics, columns, and headers/footers since the careers portal is a custom system that parses inconsistently with complex layouts.

recommended

Mirror the requisition language exactly for top keywords (cell tower, wireless i

Mirror the requisition language exactly for top keywords (cell tower, wireless infrastructure, site acquisition, RF, REIT, carrier leasing) — keyword matching weighs heavily on initial recruiter screening.

ATS System: SBA Custom Careers Portal (sbasite.com/careers)

SBA Communications uses a custom-branded careers portal at sbasite.com/careers rather than a major off-the-shelf ATS like Workday or Greenhouse. Some legacy postings have surfaced via iCIMS-style infrastructure, suggesting the portal may sit on top of a white-labeled enterprise platform, but the candidate-facing experience is SBA's own. Resumes are parsed into structured fields, and recruiters search by keyword, location, and requisition status.

  • Match the requisition's exact phrasing for required certifications, software, and standards (TIA-222, NATE, OSHA, RF, REIT) — the parser is keyword sensitive.
  • Submit a PDF generated from a single-column Word document to maximize parser accuracy; avoid scanned PDFs and graphic-heavy templates.
  • Complete every optional field in the application profile, including work authorization, salary expectations, and location preferences — incomplete profiles get deprioritized.
  • If a requisition lists multiple US locations (common for field roles), apply to the one closest to where you actually want to work; recruiters route by listed location.
  • Set up job alerts via the portal — SBA posts requisitions in waves tied to capital plans and carrier contract cycles, and early applicants get faster reviews.

Interview Culture

SBA's interview culture mirrors its corporate identity: professional, conservative, and execution-focused.

The Boca Raton headquarters carries a traditional Florida REIT feel — business casual, long-tenured staff, and a strong emphasis on operational discipline rather than the high-energy pitch culture you would find at a hyperscaler or growth-stage tech company. Brendan Cavanagh's promotion from CFO to CEO after 26 years inside the company tells you what the organization values: deep institutional knowledge, financial rigor, and patient execution. Expect interviewers to probe specifics. For corporate roles, behavioral questions follow a STAR pattern but interviewers will press on numbers — deal sizes, revenue impact, square footage, headcount managed, dollars saved. Vague answers get follow-up questions. For engineering and field roles, technical depth matters more than polish; an RF engineer who can sketch a link budget on a whiteboard or a structural engineer who can speak fluently to TIA-222 wind loading will outperform a smoother candidate without the substance. Field roles add a practical dimension. Tower technician candidates should expect to discuss climbing experience honestly, including any incidents or close calls, because safety culture is non-negotiable in this industry. Site acquisition candidates will be asked about specific zoning battles, difficult landowners, and creative deal structures. The Latin American operations have a distinctly different flavor. SBA Brasil in São Paulo and Rio runs on Brazilian business norms — relationship-driven, longer interview cycles, and an expectation that candidates can navigate local regulatory and labor environments. Spanish-language interviews in Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina follow similar patterns. International candidates moving between regions typically meet with both the local country leadership and a Boca Raton stakeholder.

What SBA Communications Looks For

  • Deep telecom or wireless infrastructure experience — tower co background is highly preferred but adjacent carrier, OEM, or wireless engineering experience translates well.
  • Long-term orientation and tenure stability — SBA values candidates who plan to grow inside the company rather than treating it as a stepping stone.
  • Quantitative literacy across all functions, with particular weight on financial impact for corporate roles and operational metrics for field roles.
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate complex stakeholder situations — landowners, municipalities, carriers, and contractors all operate under different incentives.
  • For field roles, an unimpeachable safety record and current certifications; one safety incident on a resume requires a clear, accountable explanation.
  • REIT or capital-intensive industry experience for finance, accounting, and investor relations roles — REIT mechanics are not intuitive without exposure.
  • Bilingual capability for any role with a Latin America component; trilingual (English/Spanish/Portuguese) candidates are particularly valued.
  • Comfort with ambiguity and self-direction — SBA runs lean at the corporate level (~600 corporate employees against a global tower portfolio), so individual contributors carry meaningful scope.
  • Cultural fit with a Florida-based, founder-influenced organization — Steve Bernstein's continued involvement as Executive Chairman shapes the company's voice and values.
  • For engineering roles, fluency with the specific standards bodies that govern the industry: FCC, FAA (tower lighting and marking), ANSI/TIA, IEEE, and local PUCs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SBA Communications pay across different roles?
Compensation varies by function and location. In Boca Raton corporate, mid-level professional roles (analysts, senior managers) typically run $90,000 to $150,000 base plus annual bonus (10-25% target) plus restricted stock units that vest over three to four years. Senior corporate roles (directors, VPs) range from $150,000 to $250,000+ with proportionally larger bonus and equity. Project managers in operations earn $80,000 to $130,000. Field operations technicians are generally paid hourly at $20 to $35 per hour depending on certifications, climbing qualifications, and region, with overtime available. RF and structural engineers earn $90,000 to $160,000 depending on experience. Latin American roles are paid in local currency at locally competitive rates. As a REIT, SBA's equity compensation is meaningful — RSUs vest as actual SBAC shares, exposing employees to the dividend stream and share appreciation.
What is the difference between Boca Raton corporate roles and field roles?
Boca Raton headquarters houses corporate functions: executive leadership, finance and REIT accounting, legal, investor relations, capital markets, leasing strategy, IT and asset management software, HR, and certain engineering centers of excellence. Total corporate headcount is relatively lean at around 600 people. Field roles are distributed across regional US offices (Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, New Jersey, Cary NC for operations) and international offices (São Paulo and Rio for Brazil, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Mexico City, Centurion South Africa, Dar es Salaam Tanzania). Field functions include site acquisition, construction project management, tower maintenance and climbing, RF and structural field engineering, property management, and regional sales. Corporate roles favor traditional professional backgrounds; field roles favor industry-specific experience and certifications.
How do I build a career as a tower climber at SBA?
Tower climbing is a skilled trade with clear progression. Entry typically requires a high school diploma, OSHA 10 certification, basic climbing certification, RF awareness training, and physical fitness sufficient for climbing 100-300+ foot towers in varying weather. Many climbers start through tower industry apprentice programs or through subcontractor companies that work for SBA before being hired direct. Career paths include lead climber, foreman, crew supervisor, site superintendent, regional operations manager, and into safety, training, or quality assurance roles. NATE certifications (CTS, ETA, AAR) are highly valued and often employer-sponsored. Tower climbing is physically demanding and the safety culture in the industry is intense — SBA, like American Tower and Crown Castle, treats safety as a non-negotiable core value.
Does SBA sponsor work visas for international candidates?
SBA's general practice in the United States is to hire locally and visa sponsorship is limited. Specialized engineering or finance roles may occasionally support H-1B or other visa pathways, but most US openings are filled by US citizens, permanent residents, or candidates with existing work authorization. International transfers within the SBA family — for example, a Brazilian SBA Brasil employee relocating to a regional role in another Latin American market or to corporate in Boca Raton — do happen, particularly for senior leadership. Outside the US, each country subsidiary follows local labor and immigration rules; Brazil and Mexico operations primarily hire local nationals.
How does SBA compare culturally to American Tower and Crown Castle?
All three are tower REITs with similar business models, but they have distinct cultures. American Tower is the largest and operates with a more international, bigger-company feel given its global footprint and Boston headquarters. Crown Castle, headquartered in Houston, has historically been more US-centric and is currently undergoing a strategic refocus as it divests fiber. SBA, headquartered in Boca Raton with founder Steve Bernstein still actively involved as Executive Chairman, retains more of a founder-influenced, entrepreneurial culture despite being a $20+ billion market cap REIT. SBA tends to attract candidates who value long tenure, operational focus, and a less bureaucratic environment than American Tower. Crown Castle and SBA both run leaner corporate functions than American Tower.
What does the REIT structure mean for employees?
SBA converted to a REIT in 2016, which has several practical implications for employees. The company must distribute most of its taxable income as dividends, so equity compensation in the form of restricted stock units carries both share price exposure and dividend yield (SBAC pays a meaningful and growing dividend). RSUs typically vest over three to four years. The REIT structure also creates a more stable, income-investor shareholder base, which influences the company's emphasis on operational predictability and disciplined capital allocation. From a benefits standpoint, SBA offers standard corporate benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, life insurance, disability, paid time off), with executive-level employees additionally eligible for non-qualified deferred compensation programs.
How is the 5G rollout affecting hiring at SBA?
5G deployment has been the dominant industry tailwind for the past several years. Carriers add new 5G equipment to existing towers under amendment agreements, which generates high-margin incremental revenue for SBA without requiring new tower construction. This drives hiring across leasing (negotiating amendment terms), engineering (structural analysis to confirm towers can carry additional loads, RF design for new bands like C-band), construction project management (executing the physical equipment installations), and field operations (the actual climb and install work). The amendment cycle is multi-year and varies by carrier capital plans. Mid-band 5G (C-band, CBRS) and the eventual rollout of higher frequency mmWave create an ongoing pipeline of work.
Does SBA have intern or new graduate programs?
SBA runs modest internship programs, primarily in finance, accounting, IT, and engineering, based out of Boca Raton and to a lesser extent regional offices. Programs typically run 10 to 12 weeks during summers, with conversion to full-time offers for strong performers. The scale is much smaller than what you would see at a Fortune 100 company — SBA is a focused organization and intern cohorts are measured in dozens, not hundreds. New graduate hires are most common in finance (REIT accounting, FP&A), engineering (RF and structural), and operations analyst roles. Candidates from finance, civil engineering, electrical engineering, real estate, and supply chain academic programs are well represented.
What is the career angle for working in SBA's Brazil and Latin America operations?
SBA Brasil is the largest international operation and offers meaningful career opportunities for bilingual or trilingual candidates. The Brazilian tower market is mature, competitive, and operates under distinct regulatory and labor frameworks. Career paths include site acquisition specialists, field operations managers, regional commercial leaders managing carrier relationships with TIM, Vivo, Claro, and others, and corporate functions in finance, legal, and HR based out of São Paulo and Rio. Other Latin American markets (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Central America countries) operate with smaller teams. For US-based candidates with Spanish or Portuguese fluency, occasional rotational opportunities exist; for in-country candidates, the path typically progresses from country specialist to regional Latin America roles to potentially Boca Raton corporate exposure.
How has the leadership transition from Jeffrey Stoops to Brendan Cavanagh changed the company?
Jeffrey Stoops led SBA as CEO for 22 years before retiring in January 2024. Brendan Cavanagh, who had been with SBA for 26 years and most recently served as Chief Financial Officer, succeeded him. The transition was widely characterized by analysts and investors as a continuity choice rather than a strategic pivot. Cavanagh's CFO background reinforces the company's emphasis on disciplined capital allocation and REIT financial performance. Founder Steve Bernstein remains Executive Chairman with active involvement in strategic decisions. Practical implications for employees and candidates: expect operational continuity, gradual rather than dramatic strategic shifts, and a continued cultural emphasis on financial discipline, long tenure, and execution. The company has not announced major restructurings or strategic reorientations under Cavanagh's leadership to date.
What is the day-to-day work environment like in Boca Raton?
The Boca Raton headquarters is a professional REIT corporate environment. Dress is business casual. The office operates with a hybrid schedule for most corporate roles, with in-office presence expected several days per week depending on team and function. Florida headquarters bring practical benefits — no state income tax, year-round outdoor lifestyle access, and a growing professional services ecosystem in South Florida. The headcount is small enough that cross-functional collaboration is direct: finance partners directly with operations, legal works closely with leasing, and senior leaders are accessible. The pace is steady rather than frenetic; this is an infrastructure REIT, not a venture-funded startup, and the work rhythm reflects that. Long tenure is common, which creates institutional knowledge but can also feel insular to candidates from higher-turnover industries.

Open Positions

SBA Communications currently has 1 open positions.

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 1 open positions at SBA Communications

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Sources

  1. SBA Communications Corporation — About Us —
  2. SBA Communications Careers Portal —
  3. SBA Communications Investor Relations —
  4. SBA Communications Form 10-K, Fiscal Year 2024 (SEC filing) —
  5. SBA Communications Names Brendan Cavanagh as Chief Executive Officer (Press Release, 2024) —
  6. Jeffrey A. Stoops Retirement Announcement, SBA Communications —
  7. SBA Communications Completes Acquisition of Atlas Tower South Africa (2023) —
  8. American Tower Corporation Investor Materials (peer comparison) —
  9. Crown Castle Inc. Investor Relations (peer comparison) —
  10. Wireless Estimator — Tower Industry News and Analysis —
  11. RCR Wireless News — Tower Industry Coverage —
  12. National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) — Certification Information —
  13. TIA-222 Standard for Antenna Supporting Structures (Telecommunications Industry Association) —
  14. SBA Communications — Glassdoor Company Profile —
  15. SBA Communications — LinkedIn Company Page —