What role does an engineer in telecommunications serve? These engineers have expertise in electronics and electricals. They may have a specific area of technology that they specialize in. For example, they may be focused on broadband telecommunications or telephone networks. Find out more about the potential salaries, educational requirements, and career outlook for people that work in this field.
What Do Telecommunications Engineers Do?
It’s the job of a telecommunications engineer to install and design the equipment that is used to transmit broadband, cable, cellular, and wired phone data. On a typical day, they may work with fibre optic cabling, copper, switching systems, and complex networks. Many companies employ these engineers, including consulting firms and telecommunication businesses. The government may also employ these engineers.
What Kind Of Education Do Do You need To Be A Telecommunications Engineer?
In most cases, a telecommunications engineer will have a bachelor’s degree in either electronics or electrical engineering. It’s smart to look at programs that have received approval from ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. People that are new to this field will work underneath experienced professionals before working as lead engineers that tackle projects on their own. If a student has the credentials of a Professional Engineer, it may be easier for them to find a job. It’s recommended by the Society for Cable Telecommunications Engineers that engineers take continuing education courses so that they’re able to keep up with trends in the industry and pursue career advancement.
The Skills Necessary For A Telecom Engineer
This career is a great fit for people that think analytically and are able to solve problems with both systematic and creative approaches. A high level of focus and aptitude in math are a must. Engineers will have to work as part of a team, which means they need to be able to communicate and collaborate with others on various projects.
Salary And Career Outlook For Telecommunications Engineers
Telecommunications engineers are classified under the computer network architects category by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job opportunities within this category are predicted to increase by 5% between 2018 and 2028. As of 2018, the median salary for a computer network architect is $109,020.
Electrical and electronics engineers are predicted to see a 2% growth in those 10 years. According to data from May 2018, the median salary for electrical and electronics engineers is $99,070.
Other Career Paths
Other careers in engineering are worth considering, such as:
Aerospace Engineers
These engineers create and test prototypes for satellites, missiles, aircraft, and spacecraft. They work in many industries, including the national defense industry. Candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree in either aerospace engineering or another, similar field. In order to work in national defence, a security clearance is required. This field is predicted to see 2% of growth between 2018 and 2028. The median annual salary for an aerospace engineer is $115,220 as of 2018.
Engineering and Architectural Managers
The predicted growth for architectural and engineering managers between 2018 through 2028 is 3%, which is slower than average. As of May 2018, the median annual salary in this field is $140,760. Responsibilities for managers may include research, product development, budgeting, and hiring and supervising staffers as a lower level. Typically, candidates in this field will obtain a bachelor’s degree in either architecture or engineering. They will also need a minimum of five years of experience in the field. An employer may pay for a candidate to go to school for a Master of Engineering Management or Business Administration degree.