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What does a network/telecom engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Network/telecom engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real network/telecom engineer resumes:

  • Manage multiple, simultaneous customer projects of varying complexities while minimizing network impact during change/maintenance windows.
  • Interpret schematics and install wire wrap interconnection for switches and fuse panels for DSX and VRU's.
  • Increase carrier connections; simulate VoIP traffic to verify that hardware upgrades are successful and correctly implement.
  • Provide highly skil voice network planning, engineering and VOIP architecture for all levels including help desk.
  • Install, test and tune T1 switches and cable installations to include all T1 service from DSX to VDU's.
  • Conduct network surveillance activities, with an emphasis on efficient and effective troubleshooting and problem resolution techniques on DWDM transmission equipment.
  • Manage multiple, simultaneous customer projects of varying complexities while minimizing network impact during change/maintenance windows.

Network/telecom engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Network/Telecom Engineers are proficient in Switches, VoIP, and Lan Wan. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Network/Telecom Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Switches, 8%

    Installed, tested and tuned T1 switches and cable installations to include all T1 service from DSX to VDU's.

  • VoIP, 7%

    Increased carrier connections; simulated VoIP traffic to verify that hardware upgrades were successful and correctly implemented.

  • Lan Wan, 7%

    Designed, planned, installed and migrated Lucent IBM/Xylan WAN (ATM) equipment to Cisco Ethernet LAN.

  • SIP, 6%

    Set enterprise course for SIP conversion strategy while providing options to avoid a rip-and-replace scenario for business units.

  • Firewall, 5%

    Perform Firewall and Hardware upgrades including Arbor Peak Flow Threat Management Service devices.

  • Telecom, 4%

    Managed the overall relationships with Telecom Vendors, and Service Providers maintain reliable Communication Services Globally.

Common skills that a network/telecom engineer uses to do their job include "switches," "voip," and "lan wan." You can find details on the most important network/telecom engineer responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a network/telecom engineer to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a network/telecom engineer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "monitor sip voice traffic with wireshark protocol capture and analyzer to ensure qos and low latency. "

Communication skills. Many network/telecom engineer duties rely on communication skills. "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers.," so a network/telecom engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways network/telecom engineer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "designed, planned, developed and implemented new telecommunication systems across the country. "

Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for network/telecom engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how network/telecom engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a network/telecom engineer: "resolved network problems and offered technical assistance to vendors, coworkers and clients. ".

Most common network/telecom engineer skills

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Network/Telecom Engineer Resume
Network/Telecom Engineer Resume

Compare different network/telecom engineers

Network/telecom engineer vs. Network consultant

Network consultants are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for designing, setting up, and maintaining computer networks for an organization or at a client location. These consultants are required to meet with the manager of an organization and network engineers to discuss their networking requirements. By supervising a team of IT professionals, these consultants must administer technical issues and fix infrastructure issues onsite. Network consultants must also maintain documentation for IT infrastructure as well as coordinate network documentation with account managers.

If we compare the average network/telecom engineer annual salary with that of a network consultant, we find that network consultants typically earn a $8,001 higher salary than network/telecom engineers make annually.Even though network/telecom engineers and network consultants are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require switches, voip, and firewall in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, network/telecom engineer responsibilities require skills like "lan wan," "sip," "telecom," and "servers." Meanwhile a typical network consultant has skills in areas such as "appeals," "windows server," "network infrastructure," and "network hardware." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Network consultants really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $89,811. Comparatively, network/telecom engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $111,435.The education levels that network consultants earn slightly differ from network/telecom engineers. In particular, network consultants are 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a network/telecom engineer. Additionally, they're 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Network/telecom engineer vs. Systems integration engineer

A systems integration engineer is responsible for evaluating the efficiency and performance of the control systems to support business operations and requirements. Systems integration engineers develop technical solutions from business initiatives that would maximize a team's productivity and increase target performance. They also handle the upgrades of network infrastructure and system configuration and resolve technical failures as soon as they arise. A systems integration engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in providing recommendations to improve the network's capability and prevent downtimes.

Systems integration engineer positions earn higher pay than network/telecom engineer roles. They earn a $24,763 higher salary than network/telecom engineers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Network/telecom engineers and systems integration engineers both require similar skills like "switches," "voip," and "lan wan" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real network/telecom engineer resumes. While network/telecom engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "sip," "firewall," "telecom," and "servers," systems integration engineers use skills like "python," "architecture," "system integration," and "c++."

Systems integration engineers may earn a higher salary than network/telecom engineers, but systems integration engineers earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $105,674. On the other hand, network/telecom engineers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $111,435.systems integration engineers earn similar levels of education than network/telecom engineers in general. They're 2.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Network/telecom engineer vs. Network administrator

A network administrator is responsible for managing an organization's computer systems, ensuring its smooth operations and highest efficiency. Network administrators' duties include inspecting network malfunctions, troubleshooting unresponsive programs, improving system processes, analyzing client's specifications, upgrading existing applications, coordinating with the technology department, and creating a report of network issues resolutions. A network administrator should display a strong command of programming languages. Extensive knowledge in the technology industry and analytical and problem-solving skills to manage network problems immediately is also necessary.

On average, network administrators earn lower salaries than network/telecom engineers, with a $9,945 difference per year.By looking over several network/telecom engineers and network administrators resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "switches," "voip," and "lan wan." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a network/telecom engineer is likely to be skilled in "sip," "telecom," "servers," and "rf," while a typical network administrator is skilled in "windows server," "network hardware," "routers," and "network infrastructure."

Network administrators earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $74,936. Comparatively, network/telecom engineers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $111,435.network administrators typically earn lower educational levels compared to network/telecom engineers. Specifically, they're 6.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Network/telecom engineer vs. Engineer

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

Engineers typically earn higher pay than network/telecom engineers. On average, engineers earn a $10,775 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, network/telecom engineers and engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "switches," "voip," and "tcp ip. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "lan wan," "sip," "firewall," and "telecom" are skills that commonly show up on network/telecom engineer resumes. On the other hand, engineers use skills like python, cloud, c++, and c # on their resumes.In general, engineers earn the most working in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $97,672. The highest-paying industry for a network/telecom engineer is the technology industry.In general, engineers hold similar degree levels compared to network/telecom engineers. Engineers are 0.8% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of network/telecom engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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