In the Air Force:
Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics; Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics Apprentice, E-3 Computer/Electronic Warfare Systems; Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics Helper, B-1; Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics Helper, E-3 Radar Surveillance; Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics Journeyman, B-52; Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics Journeyman, EC-130 Compass Call; Client Systems Journeyman; Cyber Systems Operations; Cyber Transport Systems; Cyberspace Support Superintendent; Spectrum Operations Journeyman
In the Army:
Chief Signal NCO; Electronic Systems Maintenance Warrant Officer; Health Services Systems Management; Information Protection Technician; Military Intelligence (MI) Systems Maintainer/Integrator; Satellite Communications Systems Operator-Maintainer; Senior Electronics Maintenance Warrant Officer; Senior Signal Warrant Officer; Signal Operations; Telecommunications Operations Chief
In the Coast Guard:
Electronics Technician; Information System Technician; Information Systems Management
In the Marine Corps:
Communications Chief; Communications Officer; Data Systems Administrator; Data Systems Chief; Ground Electronics Telecommunications and Information Technology Systems Maintainer; Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Engineer; Network Chief; Network Engineering Officer; Signals Intelligence/Electronic Warfare/Cyberspace Operations Technician; Space and Waveform Integration Officer
In the Navy:
AN/SIA-127/134 Announcing System Maintenance Technician; AN/UYQ-21 Computer Display System Maintenance Technician; Combat Control Systems Technician; Communications Technician; Cryptologic Systems Maintenance Director; Director of Communications; Electronics Technician, Submarine, Navigation; Information Systems Technician Submarines; Interior Communication Technician; SSDS MK-2 Maintenance Technician
Telecommunications engineering specialists design voice, video, and data communications systems to keep users connected. They install equipment incorporating copper or fiber optic cabling, complex networks, and switching systems, to transmit phone, cable, and broadband data. Telecommunications engineering specialists’ projects range from installing phone systems, automated teller machines and alarms for a bank, to large scale projects such as overseeing the installation of fiber optic cabling to bring broadband data access to a region. They troubleshoot and resolve problems related to all types of telecom systems, install both hardware and software, and document the systems they maintain. Telecommunication system security looms large in this field; they perform regular system backups to prevent down time or data loss. When disaster strikes a system, from a single business to a large city or region, they help to recover the area’s phone and broadband systems. Keeping up to date on new technology is expected. Telecommunications engineering specialists work in a variety of organizations, including city governments, school districts, healthcare facilities, and utilities. Work schedules often exceed 40 hours a week. Requirements vary depending on the position’s scope, and range from a technical certificate to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in electronics, computer science, or a related field, along with related work experience.
What they do:
Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.
On the job, you would:
Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.
Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.
Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.
Communications
telecommunications
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
product and service development
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
reading work related information
People and Technology Systems
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
order or arrange things
Math
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy.
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