Communications engineer

Communications engineer job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Most communications engineers work for telecommunications companies and manufacturers and installers of communication devices/systems. Self-employment via consultancy/contract work is possible for individuals with several years' experience.

Responsibilities typically include:

• managing, monitoring the performance of and working as part of a team of communication engineers/planners;
• organising/attending meetings;
• agreeing project budgets, timescales and specifications with clients/managers;
• undertaking site surveys; ensuring that objectives and deadlines are met;
• attending conferences and briefings on new products/networks;
• writing reports and documentation; making presentations;
• managing resources;
• liaising with suppliers, customers, directors and other teams of staff;
• undertaking relevant research;
• producing and implementing designs;
• creating test procedures;
• analysing and interpreting data;
• providing technical support;
• problem solving;
• producing disaster management plans.

Jobs are advertised online, by careers services and recruitment agencies, in newspapers and in relevant publications including The Engineer and TARGETjobs Engineering.

Qualifications and training required

Most communications engineers possess a good honours degree in a relevant subject, such as electrical/electronic engineering, physics, telecommunications or computer science. A postgraduate qualification may also be helpful, particularly for research positions. Relevant experience can be beneficial: some employers offer final year project work, sponsorship, vacation work or 'year out' placements which can provide valuable contacts and a useful insight into the profession.

Key skills for communications engineers

Employers seek committed graduates with good qualifications and strong technical abilities who are business minded and capable of working well within a team. Candidates must have excellent communication, interpersonal, problem solving, analytical, organisational, presentation and managerial skills. Some positions require candidates to possess a driving licence.