Science & ResearchISCO 2153
Telecommunications engineer
A telecommunications engineer is a person who designs, builds and maintains communications networks and systems: fibre, radio and broadcast.
Check yourself in a minute: telecommunications engineer
Rate 5 of the 24 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
design computer network
design process
provide ICT system training
log transmitter readings
interact with users to gather requirements
About telecommunications engineer
The engineer analyses ICT system user requirements, converts them into parameters — capacity, range, latency, availability — and designs the solution: the computer network, the routing of the links and the placing of the equipment. Microwave principles underpin the work wherever a link goes by radio, because the band, antenna gain and path loss decide whether a connection will hold.
The engineer also supervises the installation and use of equipment, carries out tests, keeps a transmitter log and ensures that the equipment complies with regulations, including the terms on which radio frequencies may be used. Complex communication systems are operated and network security threats understood.
The engineer prepares documentation, reports and proposals addressing telecommunications problems, presents them to the client, and trains the company's staff once new equipment is in. A system is carried through its whole development life cycle: from requirements through build to extension and withdrawal.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a telecommunications engineer.
1
Network Design and Planning
- Design computer networks based on customer requirements and specifications
- Develop ICT system architecture using design processes and methodologies
- Plan network routing and capacity allocation for optimal performance
- Implement virtual private networks (VPN) for secure communications
2
Installation and System Implementation
- Oversee installation and deployment of telecommunication equipment and facilities
- Procure and verify ICT network equipment meets specifications and standards
- Configure and adjust ICT system capacity based on usage patterns
- Log transmitter readings and system performance metrics
3
Technical Testing and Quality Assurance
- Test telecommunication systems for functionality and compliance
- Apply quality assurance methodologies to ensure system reliability
- Analyze signal processing and microwave principles for system optimization
- Use complex communication systems to verify network performance
4
Security, Compliance and Documentation
- Assess and mitigate ICT network security risks and vulnerabilities
- Ensure telecommunication systems comply with telecom regulations
- Prepare technical documentation and proposals for telecommunication projects
- Apply ICT communications protocols and industry standards
5
Training and Customer Support
- Provide ICT system training to company staff on new equipment
- Interact with users to gather requirements and understand system needs
- Present reports and proposals addressing telecommunication problems
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (24)
systems development life-cyclesystems development life-cycleThe sequence of steps, such as planning, creating, testing and deploying and the models for the development and life-cycle management of a system.ICT network routingICT network routingThe processes and techniques for choosing the best paths within an ICT network through which a packet can travel.microwave principlesmicrowave principlesThe technologies used in transmission of information or energy via electromagnetic waves between 1000 and 100,000 MHz.procurement of ICT network equipmentprocurement of ICT network equipmentThe products available from network equipment providers and methods for selecting and procuring the equipment.quality assurance methodologiesquality assurance methodologiesQuality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.use a complex communication systemuse a complex communication systemInstall and operate complex communication systems.design computer networkdesign computer networkDevelop and plan ICT networks, such as wide area network and local area network, that connect computers using cable or wireless connections and allow them to exchange data and assess their capacity re...design processdesign processIdentify the workflow and resource requirements for a particular process, using a variety of tools such as process simulation software, flowcharting and scale models.provide ICT system trainingprovide ICT system trainingPlan and conduct training of staff on system and network issues. Utilise training material, evaluate and report on the learning progress of trainees.log transmitter readingslog transmitter readingsLog transmitter observations such as calibrations of remote control equipment, equipment performance measurements, antenna field strength measurements, and other readings.interact with users to gather requirementsinteract with users to gather requirementsCommunicate with users to identify their requirements and collect them. Define all relevant user requirements and document them in an understandable and logical way for further analysis and specificat...support ICT system userssupport ICT system usersCommunicate with end users, instruct them on how to progress with tasks, use ICT support tools and methods to solve problems and identify possible side effects and provide solutions.use session border controlleruse session border controllerManage calls during a given voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) session and ensure security and quality of service by operating a session border controller (SBC).ICT system user requirementsICT system user requirementsThe process intended to match user and organisation's needs with system components and services, by taking into consideration the available technologies and the techniques required to elicit and speci...ICT network security risksICT network security risksThe security risk factors, such as hardware and software components, devices, interfaces and policies in ICT networks, risk assessment techniques that can be applied to assess the severity and the con...telecommunication industrytelecommunication industryThe major players on the telecommunications market such as organisations manufacturing and distributing telephone terminal equipment, mobile devices, accessibility, and network security.ICT communications protocolsICT communications protocolsThe system of rules which allow the exchange of information between computers or other devices via computer networks.analyse network bandwidth requirementsanalyse network bandwidth requirementsStudy the requirements on the transmission capacity of an ICT network or other telecommunication system.electronics principleselectronics principlesThe study of electric energy, more specifically electron, control and its prominent principles regarding integrated circuits and electrical systems.telecom regulationstelecom regulationsCode of rules to protect telecommunication consumers, ensuring high standards of communication services such as equivalent and affordable access, connectivity, transparency of contracts or security ag...implement a virtual private networkimplement a virtual private networkCreate an encrypted connection between private networks, such as different local networks of a company, over the internet to ensure that only authorized users can access it and that the data cannot be...define technical requirementsdefine technical requirementsSpecify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied acc...adjust ICT system capacityadjust ICT system capacityChange the scope of an ICT system by adding or reallocating additional ICT system components, such as network components, servers or storage to meet capacity or volume demands.signal processingsignal processingThe algorithms, applications and implementations that deal with the processing and transferring of information through analog or digital frequencies.
Optional (66) — show
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It is dev...TypeScriptTypeScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in TypeScript.CoffeeScriptCoffeeScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in CoffeeScript.Objective-CObjective-CThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Objective-C.AJAXAJAXThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in AJAX.C++C++The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C++.SAP R3SAP R3The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in SAP R3.Swift (computer programming)Swift (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Swift.ICT project management methodologiesICT project management methodologiesThe methodologies or models for planning, managing and overseeing of ICT resources in order to meet specific goals, such methodologies are Waterfall, Incremental, V-Model, Scrum or Agile and using pro...MATLABMATLABThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in MATLAB.Python (computer programming)Python (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Python.Scratch (computer programming)Scratch (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Scratch.Process-based managementProcess-based managementThe process-based management approach is a methodology for planning, managing and overseeing of ICT resources in order to meet specific goals and using project management ICT tools.lean project managementlean project managementThe lean project management approach is a methodology for planning, managing and overseeing of ICT resources in order to meet specific goals and using project management ICT tools.VBScriptVBScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in VBScript.COBOLCOBOLThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in COBOL.Pascal (computer programming)Pascal (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Pascal.ABAPABAPThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ABAP.strategies for handling cases of elder abusestrategies for handling cases of elder abuseThe range of strategies and approaches utilised in the identification, termination, and prevention of instances of elder abuse. 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These ICT security policies cover topics such as data clas...provide user documentationprovide user documentationDevelop and organise the distribution of structured documents to assist people using a particular product or system, such as written or visual information about an application system and how to use it...create software designcreate software designTranspose a series of requirements into a clear and organised software design.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.solve location and navigation problems by using GPS toolssolve location and navigation problems by using GPS toolsUse applications and devices which provide users with accurate assessment of their location using system of satellites, such as navigation systems.perform ICT troubleshootingperform ICT troubleshootingIdentify problems with servers, desktops, printers, networks, and remote access, and perform actions which solve the problems.operate private branch exchangeoperate private branch exchangeHandle Private Branch Exchange (PBX), a telecommunication system within an organisation that switches calls between users on local lines. 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Understand electronic diagrams and equipment specifications.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a telecommunications engineer do?
Telecommunications engineers design, build, test and maintain telecommunication systems and networks, including radio and broadcasting equipment. They analyse customer needs and requirements, ensure that the equipment meets regulations, and prepare and present reports and proposals on telecommunication-related problems. Telecommunications engineers design and oversee the service delivery in all it's phases, supervising the installation and use of telecommunications equipment and facilities, preparing documentation and providing training for company staff once new equipment has been installed.
What skills does a telecommunications engineer need?
A telecommunications engineer needs 24 essential skills, including systems development life-cycle, ICT network routing, microwave principles, procurement of ICT network equipment, quality assurance methodologies.
Will AI replace telecommunications engineer jobs?
The AI disruption score for telecommunications engineer is 49/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: log transmitter readings, Cisco, solve location and navigation problems by using GPS tools. Most resilient: microwave principles, build business relationships, give live presentation.
AI Replacement Risk
49/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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