Occupation · SOC 15-1241.01
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.
Median wage
$130,390
$79,520–$198,030
Projected growth
+11.9%
Faster than average
Annual openings
2,140
per year
Employed (US)
177,010
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
2,970 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningActive LearningWritingSpeakingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessOperations MonitoringMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementService OrientationQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionMathematicsCoordinationTroubleshootingLearning StrategiesNegotiationInstructingEquipment MaintenanceTechnology DesignManagement of Personnel ResourcesRepairingEquipment SelectionProgrammingManagement of Material ResourcesOperations AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesOperation and ControlInstallationScience
Knowledge areas
TelecommunicationsEngineering and TechnologyComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementDesignSales and MarketingPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingBuilding and ConstructionEconomics and AccountingMechanicalAdministrativeLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaProduction and ProcessingPsychologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesPhysicsGeographySociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyTherapy and CounselingChemistryTransportationPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageFine ArtsMedicine and DentistryFood ProductionBiology
Technology & tools
2AB iLock Security ServicesAccess management softwareAntivirus softwareApache KafkaAutodesk AutoCADAvaya Identity EnginesCall accounting softwareCisco Systems Cisco Traffic AnalyzerComputer aided design CAD softwareFirewall softwareIBM DominoIBM Lotus 1-2-3IBM NotesIBM Rational Requirements ComposerInteractive voice response softwareKornShellLinuxMcAfeeMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft ExchangeMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft PowerShellMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft TeamsMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScriptMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows ServerMicrosoft WordNagiosNetwork management softwareNortonLifeLock cybersecurity softwareNovaStor NovaBACKUPOperating system softwareOracle JavaPerlProject scheduling software
Representative tasks
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsWorking with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeGetting InformationProcessing InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesAnalyzing Data or InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationThinking CreativelyDocumenting/Recording InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCoaching and Developing OthersSelling or Influencing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentControlling Machines and Processes
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Telecommunications hardware and conduit pathways — identify and document under direct supervision during initial site inspection visits.User and administrator requirements — gather and record using structured intake forms with guidance from a senior engineer.Industry publications and technical bulletins — review and summarize key changes in telecommunications practices as directed by a supervisor.Network monitoring software — observe and report basic system alerts on a telecommunications network under close technician oversight.Vendor pricing inquiries — assist in preparing and submitting standard requests for quotes under the direction of an engineering specialist.Telecommunications disaster recovery documentation — locate, read, and follow established plan procedures during supervised drills.Spreadsheet software — enter and organize telecommunications equipment inventory data as assigned on a team project.CAD software — view and interpret basic floor plan drawings showing device locations and conduit routes with instructor guidance.System modification requests — review submitted tickets and flag incomplete information for senior engineer follow-up.Existing facility assessments — participate in structured walk-throughs and record observations using standardized checklists.
developing
Business and technical requirements — elicit and consolidate from users, administrators, and engineers using structured interviews during system upgrade projects.Telecommunications site configurations — inspect independently and produce accurate documentation of device locations and conduit pathways for mid-scale facilities.System renovation tasks — execute assigned implementation steps in collaboration with installers and vendors under periodic engineering oversight.Network monitoring software and VPN tools — configure and monitor to detect performance anomalies on a corporate telecommunications network.Vendor hardware and software specifications — evaluate and compare across multiple suppliers to support procurement decisions for routine purchases.Telecommunications disaster recovery plans — update and test existing plans to reflect infrastructure changes in a business continuity context.Engineer and manager modification requests — assess technical feasibility and document findings using established evaluation criteria.Industry conferences and professional publications — engage with regularly and apply lessons learned to improve day-to-day telecommunications support tasks.Communications server software — perform routine configuration changes and troubleshoot common faults in an enterprise environment.Written technical summaries — compose clear reports on system assessments and modification recommendations for non-technical stakeholders.
proficient
Complex user and organizational requirements — analyze and translate into detailed technical specifications for proposed telecommunications system modifications.Full-scope site inspections — conduct autonomously across diverse physical environments and produce comprehensive configuration reports used in engineering decisions.System renovation projects — lead end-to-end implementation in coordination with engineering consultants, vendors, and technical staff across multiple work streams.Telecommunications disaster recovery plans — develop and maintain comprehensive continuity strategies aligned with regulatory requirements and organizational risk tolerance.Emerging telecommunications technologies — evaluate critically through literature review, peer engagement, and conference participation and recommend adoption paths to management.Modification requests from engineers and managers — assess and prioritize independently, applying systems analysis and cost-benefit reasoning in a live enterprise environment.Vendor negotiations — conduct detailed technical and pricing discussions to secure optimal hardware, software, and service agreements for large-scale deployments.Network security and monitoring platforms — deploy and tune across enterprise infrastructure to ensure continuous operational visibility and threat detection.CAD and development environment software — use proficiently to design telecommunications system layouts and prototype configuration solutions for non-routine problems.Cross-functional technical briefings — deliver clearly to mixed engineering and business audiences, adapting communication style to audience expertise level.
advanced
Organizational telecommunications strategy — define and champion across departments, aligning infrastructure investments with long-term business goals and technology roadmaps.Enterprise-wide system renovation programs — direct by integrating contributions from engineers, consultants, vendors, and executive stakeholders across concurrent projects.Telecommunications disaster recovery governance — establish policy frameworks and lead organization-wide continuity exercises to ensure resilience at an enterprise scale.Junior and mid-level specialists — mentor and develop through structured coaching, project assignments, and competency assessments within the telecommunications function.Emerging technology evaluation programs — design and institutionalize processes that systematically assess new telecommunications innovations for strategic adoption.Vendor and partner ecosystems — manage at a senior level, negotiating enterprise contracts and setting standards for technical qualification and performance accountability.Telecommunications competency frameworks and standards — author and implement across the engineering organization to drive consistent quality and professional growth.Capital investment decisions — advise executive leadership on telecommunications infrastructure upgrades using quantitative systems evaluation and risk analysis.Cross-organizational requirements alignment — facilitate at the executive level to resolve conflicts between engineering, operations, security, and business units on major technology purchases.Industry working groups and professional bodies — represent the organization and contribute expertise to shape emerging telecommunications standards and best practices.
Also known as
33 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Communications AnalystCommunications EngineerCommunications Network EngineerCommunications Systems EngineerElectrical Design EngineerEngineerField EngineerInfrastructure EngineerMessaging EngineerMultimedia Telecommunications Systems IntegratorNetwork EngineerOutside 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)Telecommunication Design Engineer (Telecom Design Engineer)Telecommunication Engineer (Telecom Engineer)Telecommunication Systems Designer (Telecom Systems Designer)Telecommunications Administrator (Telecommunications Admin)Telecommunications Analyst (Telecom Analyst)Telecommunications Consultant (Telecom Consultant)Telecommunications Engineer (Telecom Engineer)Telecommunications Management Specialist (Telecom Management Specialist)Telecommunications Network EngineerTelecommunications Network TechnicianTelecommunications Operator (Telecom Operator)Telecommunications Specialist (Telecom Specialist)Telecommunications Systems EngineerUnified Communications EngineerVoice EngineerVOIP Engineer (Voice Over Internal Protocol Engineer)VoIP Engineer (Voice Over Internet Protocol Engineer)VoIP Network Engineer (Voice over Internet Protocol Network Engineer)