Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Career Overview

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

Also Known As

• Communications Engineer
• Engineer
• Infrastructure Engineer
• Telecommunications Consultant (Telecom Consultant)

Alternate Job Titles

• Communications Analyst
• Communications Engineer
• Communications Network Engineer
• Communications Systems Engineer
• Electrical Design Engineer
• Engineer
• Field Engineer
• Infrastructure Engineer
• Messaging Engineer
• Multimedia Telecommunications Systems Integrator
• Network Engineer
• Outside Plant Engineer (OSP Engineer)
• Outside Plant Planning and Engineering Design Manager (OSP Planning and Engineering Design Manager)
• Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD)
• Telecommunication Design Analyst (Telecom Design Analyst)

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.
• Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.
• Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.
• Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.
• Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems.
• Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
• Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Telecommunications
• Computers and Electronics
• Engineering and Technology
• English Language
• Mathematics
• Customer and Personal Service

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Active Listening
3. Critical Thinking

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Written Comprehension
• Information Ordering
• Written Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Number Facility

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Intellectual Curiosity
• Cautiousness
• Adaptability

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Achievement
• Support
• Working Conditions
• Recognition
• Independence

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Apache Kafka
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Linux
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft PowerShell
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft SQL Server

Tools & Equipment

• Aerial bucket trucks
• Amplifier probes
• Cable analyzers
• Cable cutters
• Cable plows
• Cable tie guns
• Circuit testers
• Coaxial cable testers
• Combo crimping tools
• Compaction tampers
• Computer servers
• Continuity testers
• Digger derricks
• Digital power meters
• Electricity monitors

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Telephone Conversations
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Contact With Others
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Salary & Job Market

Wages reported for the broader Computer Network Architects occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Telecommunications Engineering Specialists.

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$79,520
Median	$130,390
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$198,030

Workers Employed Nationally: 177,010

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.