Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

• Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services.
• Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures.
• Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.
• Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems.
• Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks.
• Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems.
• Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
• Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity.
• Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.
• Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.
• Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use.
• Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions.
• Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, or compatibility with existing systems.
• Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices.
• Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways.
• Supervise maintenance of telecommunications equipment.
• Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.
• Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations.
• 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.
• Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems.
• Prepare system activity and performance reports.
• Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists.

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists.