How to become a Telecommunications Engineer
Telecommunications engineers plan, design, construct and install complex telecommunications networks and associated broadcasting equipment.
Personal requirements for a Telecommunications Engineer
- Able to identify, analyse and solve problems
- Enjoy mathematical and technical activities
- Good communication and organisational skills
- Able to work independently and accept responsibility
Education & Training for a Telecommunications Engineer
To become a telecommunications engineer you usually have to complete a VET qualification. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.You can also become a telecommunications engineer by completing a degree in engineering at university with a major in telecommunications or telecommunication and network engineering. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Additional information
Telecommunications engineers may require certification to work on particular networks and with certain types of telecommunications technology. In order to carry out cabling work, you must be registered with an Australian Communications and Media Authority accredited registrar. See www.acma.gov.au for more details.Students and graduates may be eligible for membership of Engineers Australia. See www.engineersaustralia.org.au for more details.
Duties & Tasks of a Telecommunications Engineer
Telecommunications engineers:
- Commission, install and test voice and data optical communication networks
- Provide specialist technical support in monitoring and administering large telecommunications optical networks
- Install and maintain internet protocol (IP) based optical network telecommunications equipment
- Install and test simple IP devices in convergence networks
- Develop project management plans
- Plan the development of core and access network capabilities
- Analyse demand data, and evaluate and forecast network growth
- Implement convergence technologies
- Design and manage telecommunications and information technology (IT) networks
- Diagnose problems and provide network management support
- Plan a project from a design specification
- Research and analyse the key concepts in design.
Tasks
- Designs, builds, configures and commissions devices, networks and systems and ensures systems interconnect with equipment from different manufacturers, service providers and users.
- Assesses performance levels of system hardware and software to project future needs, and develops short and long-terms plans for updating equipment, adding capabilities, enhancing existing systems and providing improved telecommunications.
- Identifies and analyses problems and needs of existing systems, to determine the most appropriate means of reducing, eliminating and avoiding current and future problems and improve communications.
- Determines the type and arrangement of circuits, transformers, circuit-breakers, transmission lines and equipment.
- Prepares and interprets specifications, drawings and regulations for the use of equipment.
- Evaluates and procures new products and services.
- Determines appropriate configurations of hardware and software, ensuring desired performance of equipment.
- Selects and develops new sites by locating sites, filing, drawing up, and drafting drawings, and following through to approval.
- Monitors systems to assess need for updates, upgrades, enhancements, preventive maintenance and new systems.
- Compiles proposals to define goals, identifies scope, background and need, and ascertains cost of the proposal.
- Ensures compliance with laws, regulations, policies and procedures in the provision of systems.
Working conditions for a Telecommunications Engineer
Telecommunications engineers have a broad role that requires in-depth technical knowledge of appropriate equipment and services and extensive experience within the telecommunications industry.
Employment Opportunities for a Telecommunications Engineer
The telecommunications industry is subject to continuing and rapid technological change. Telecommunications engineers are employed by a variety of small, medium and large enterprises. These include large telecommunications carriers and their contractors, network and exchange equipment suppliers, customer premises equipment suppliers and installation or maintenance service providers.
Specializations
Telecommunications Network Planner and Designer
A telecommunications network planner and designer plan and design the development of network infrastructure for customer access.
Telecommunications Optical Network Specialist
A telecommunications optical network specialist plan and manage fibre-optic communication networks and digital multiplexing transmission systems.
Telecommunications Engineer
Telecommunications engineers plan, design, construct and install complex telecommunications networks and associated broadcasting equipment.
Telecommunications Network Planner and Designer
A telecommunications network planner and designer plan and design the development of network infrastructure for customer access.
Telecommunications Optical Network Specialist
A telecommunications optical network specialist plan and manage fibre-optic communication networks and digital multiplexing transmission systems.
Average age
41
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
10% female
Average full-time
42 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
92%
Employment Size
2,700
Employment by state
ACT: 3.7%
NSW: 39.6%
NT: 0.8%
QLD: 12.0%
SA: 4.6%
TAS: 0.7%
VIC: 30.2%
WA: 8.4%
Age brackets
15-19: 0%
20-24: 2.5%
25-34: 28%
35-44: 31.3%
45-54: 23.3%
55-59: 8.2%
60-64: 4.7%
65 and Over: 1.9%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 13%
Bachelor degree: 43.6%
Certificate III/IV: 10.7%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 25.1%
Year 10 and below: 1.1%
Year 11: 0.7%
Year 12: 5.8%
