Telecommunications Engineering Specialist

Also called: Communications Engineer, Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, Messaging Engineer, Multimedia Telecommunications Systems Integrator

Telecommunications Engineering Specialist

Varies

estimated salary

Telecommunications engineering specialists design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

  • 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.
  • Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways.
  • Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use.
  • Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems.
  • Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems.
  • Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures.
  • Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools.
  • Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment.
  • Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions.
  • Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations.
  • Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.
  • Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks.
  • Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices.
  • Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.
  • Prepare system activity and performance reports.
  • Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data.
  • Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration.
  • Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, or compatibility with existing systems.
  • Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity.
  • Supervise maintenance of telecommunications equipment.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 96% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 85% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 58% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 58% responded "Extremely important".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 43% responded "Very important".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 48% responded "Some freedom".
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Work Activities
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
  • Estimate time or monetary resources needed to complete projects.
  • Maintain contingency plans for disaster recovery.
  • Test computer hardware performance.
  • Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.
  • Maintain computer hardware.
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Knowledge

Telecommunications
  • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
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Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
  • Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Network monitoring software
  • Wireshark Hot Technology
  • Nagios Hot Technology
  • Cisco Systems Cisco Traffic Analyzer
Operating system software
  • Microsoft Windows Server Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Windows Hot Technology
  • Shell script Hot Technology
  • UNIX Hot Technology
  • Linux Hot Technology
  • KornShell
Development environment software
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript Hot Technology
  • Microsoft PowerShell Hot Technology
  • Apache Kafka Hot Technology
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Education

Get started on your career:

Job Outlook

New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
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