Occupation

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Human Advantage 71%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.8 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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

Also Known As: Communications Analyst, Communications Engineer, Communications Network Engineer, Communications Systems Engineer, Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, Messaging Engineer, Multimedia Telecommunications Systems Integrator +21 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.
  2. Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.
  3. 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.
  4. Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.
  5. Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems.
  6. Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
  7. Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services.
  8. Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways.
  9. Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use.
  10. Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems.
  11. Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems.
  12. Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures.
  13. Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools.
  14. Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment.
  15. Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions.
  16. Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations.
  17. Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.
  18. Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks.
  19. Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices.
  20. Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.
  21. Prepare system activity and performance reports.

Supplemental Tasks (5)

  1. Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data.
  2. Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration.
  3. Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, or compatibility with existing systems.
  4. Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity.
  5. Supervise maintenance of telecommunications equipment.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: 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.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

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)
24%
Bachelor's Degree
19%
Some College Courses
14%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
14%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
14%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
5%
Master's Degree
5%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
5%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Apache Kafka
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft PowerShell
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Windows Server
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Java
  • Perl
  • Python
  • Shell script
  • Structured query language SQL
  • UNIX

Software (54)

  • 2AB iLock Security Services
  • Access management software
  • Antivirus software
  • Avaya Identity Engines
  • Call accounting software
  • Cisco Systems Cisco Traffic Analyzer
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Firewall software
  • IBM Domino
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • IBM Notes
  • IBM Rational Requirements Composer
  • Interactive voice response software
  • KornShell
  • McAfee
  • Microsoft Exchange
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript
  • Nagios
  • Network management software
  • NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software
  • NovaStor NovaBACKUP
  • Operating system software
  • Project scheduling software
  • Requirements analysis software
  • SiteMaster SiteSmart
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Virtual private networking VPN software
  • Voice over internet protocol VoIP system software
  • Web browser software
  • Web design software
  • Wireshark
  • Zmanda Amanda

Tools & Equipment (57)

  • 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
  • Fiber optic cable splicers
  • Fiber optic cable strippers
  • Fiber optic fault locators
  • Fiber optic fusion splicers
  • Fiber optic power meters
  • Fiber optic strippers
  • Fiber optic tweezers
  • Fiber scribes
  • Field inspection microscopes
  • Fish tapes
  • Flat head screwdrivers
  • Infrared fiber meters
  • Infrared thermometers
  • Insulation resistance testers
  • Jack termination tools
  • Laser printers
  • Local area network LAN analyzers
  • Multimeters
  • Nut drivers
  • Open end wrenches
  • Optical power meters
  • Optical time domain reflectometers OTDR
  • Personal computers
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Pipe benders
  • Polarity testers
  • Portable drills
  • Power saws
  • Punch down insertion tools
  • Radio interference detection RID devices
  • Scanners
  • Soldering irons
  • Spectrum analyzers
  • Tone generators
  • Tone test sets
  • Trenchers
  • Voltage testers
  • Winches
  • Wire locators
  • Wire mappers
  • Wire pullers
  • Wire wrap guns

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Network Systems & Cybersecurity Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists You are here

Web & Cloud Arts, Entertainment, & Design

Zone 3
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists You are here

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