Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

15-1241.01 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

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, Electrical Design Engineer, Engineer, Field Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, ...

Annual Salary

$130,390

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$102,120 25th – 75th percentile $164,440

10th percentile $79,520

90th percentile $198,030

U.S. Employment: 177,010

Job Outlook

+11.9%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Much faster than average)

Annual Job Openings 11,200 per year (avg. 2024–2034)

Typical education: Bachelor's degree

Experience: 5 years or more

What You'd Do

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.
Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.
Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.
Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions.
Prepare system activity and performance reports.
Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools.
Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.
Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways.
Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.

Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures.
Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations.
Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment.
Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use.
Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices.
Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.
Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services.
Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems.
Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems.
Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 3.6

Active Listening 3.6

Critical Thinking 3.6

Active Learning 3.4

Writing 3.3

Speaking 3.3

Operations Monitoring 3.1

Complex Problem Solving 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Telecommunications 4.9

Computers and Electronics 4.1

Engineering and Technology 4.1

English Language 3.6

Mathematics 3.6

Customer and Personal Service 3.5

Administration and Management 3.4

Design 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Certificate

23.8%

Bachelor's

19.1%

Some College

14.3%

Associate's

14.3%

Post-Bacc Cert

14.3%

High School

4.8%

Master's

4.8%

Professional

4.8%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand 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

Other Tools

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

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.6

Attention to Detail

2.6

Dependability

2.2

Intellectual Curiosity

2.0

Cautiousness

2.0

Adaptability

2.0

Innovation

2.0

Achievement Orientation

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 3.8

Oral Expression 3.8

Problem Sensitivity 3.6

Written Comprehension 3.5

Near Vision 3.5

Information Ordering 3.4

Written Expression 3.3

Deductive Reasoning 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.5

Working with Computers 4.5

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.4

Getting Information 4.3

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.3

Processing Information 4.2

Scheduling Work and Activities 4.0

Analyzing Data or Information 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail

5.0

Telephone Conversations

5.0

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

4.7

Contact With Others

4.5

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

4.4

Freedom to Make Decisions

4.1

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

4.1

Time Pressure

4.1

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

4.0

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

4.0

Written Letters and Memos

3.7

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

3.7

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.