How to hire a senior communications engineer

How to hire a senior communications engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior communications engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a senior communications engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior communications engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The senior communications engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A senior communications engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, senior communications engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of senior communications engineers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Senior Communications Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Communications Engineer	Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets. These networks range from small connections between two offices to next-generation networking capabilities such as a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers.	$38-69
   NOC Analyst	A Network Operation Center (NOC) analyst works on ensuring the stability and working order of all network connections used in a company. The position is essential for companies that require fast-paced communication in both internal and external affairs... Show more	$19-34
   Lead Data Architect	Lead Data Architects are experienced employees who manage the data architecture needs of the company. They also manage the data architects who fulfill these needs... Show more	$40-71

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Infrastructure
   • Unified Communications
   • Unity
   • VoIP
   • UC
   • Troubleshoot
   • IM
   • Video Conferencing
   • Project Management
   • Linux
   • RF
   • Cisco Unity
   • Switches
   • TCP/IP

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
   • Install and troubleshoot multiple RTU and SER SCADA and web base telemetry systems.
   • Network LAN/WAN implementation with Cisco catalyst switches, router configuration, troubleshooting and debugging.
   • Implement Cisco optical networks, routers, high performance network switches and voice over IP projects.
   • Demonstrate knowledge and capability to troubleshoot intermediate network issues (OSPF/BGP), VLAN trunking and voice preparation.
   • Configure and document a DNS process for disaster recovery exercises.

   More senior communications engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your senior communications engineer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A senior communications engineer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, senior communications engineers' average salary in missouri is 31% less than in maine.
   • Seniority. Entry-level senior communications engineers earn 45% less than senior-level senior communications engineers.
   • Certifications. A senior communications engineer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a senior communications engineer's salary.

   Average senior communications engineer salary

   $108,459yearly

   $52.14 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level senior communications engineer salary

   $80,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average senior communications engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Virginia	$129,438	$62
   2	Texas	$126,736	$61
   3	New Mexico	$126,093	$61
   4	Georgia	$125,521	$60
   5	New York	$124,946	$60
   6	Massachusetts	$124,677	$60
   7	California	$122,013	$59
   8	New Jersey	$120,624	$58
   9	District of Columbia	$118,898	$57
   10	Alaska	$117,865	$57
   11	Montana	$115,052	$55
   12	South Dakota	$114,517	$55
   13	Washington	$113,095	$54
   14	Arizona	$108,688	$52
   15	Hawaii	$105,651	$51
   16	Maryland	$104,492	$50
   17	Alabama	$100,292	$48
   18	Pennsylvania	$97,086	$47
   19	Colorado	$93,605	$45
   20	Missouri	$89,116	$43

   Average senior communications engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$139,141	$66.89	90
   2	McKinsey & Company Inc	$137,714	$66.21	1
   3	Intuit	$132,316	$63.61
   4	Northwell Health	$130,649	$62.81	10
   5	Ardent Mills	$125,848	$60.50
   6	Open Systems Technologies	$121,306	$58.32	1
   7	MITRE	$119,724	$57.56	17
   8	Burns & McDonnell	$118,553	$57.00	9
   9	Booz Allen Hamilton	$118,515	$56.98	80
   10	DTCC	$115,288	$55.43	6
   11	MFS Investment Management	$114,110	$54.86
   12	CACI International	$113,188	$54.42	116
   13	Kiewit	$113,138	$54.39	20
   14	E3 Federal Solutions, Llc	$113,130	$54.39
   15	Gartner	$112,430	$54.05	2
   16	Argonne National Laboratory	$111,971	$53.83
   17	Meriplex	$111,817	$53.76
   18	Jacobs Engineering Group	$110,133	$52.95
   19	Robbins-Gioia	$110,081	$52.92
   20	Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation	$108,153	$52.00

4. Writing a senior communications engineer job description

   A senior communications engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a senior communications engineer job description:

   Senior communications engineer job description example

   Are you a strong, result-oriented senior communications engineer with a passion for telecommunications solutions? Do you prioritize the end-user experience while planning projects? Are you comfortable in a distributed, de-centralized IT campus environment?
   
   Argonne National Laboratory is looking for a skilled communications engineer who is comfortable adapting to a dynamic environment with a need for both short-term and long-term results. You will be part of a small engineering team looking to grow its influence and leadership ability. You will be working at the Argonne campus supporting many communication systems like the radio infrastructure, cellular Distributive Antenna System (DAS), public address system, pager system, cable plant, telephone management software, and phone systems.
   
   You should be comfortable with telecommunication principles and design. You will install, test, maintain and upgrade communications equipment. You will be expected to recommend new technologies, approaches, and techniques. You will manage requirements, specifications, and understand regulatory restrictions. You are expected to help transform the organization from a reactive management approach to anticipating needs, issues, and addressing them early.
   
   Ultimately, you and the team will be responsible for the architecture, design, implementation, and strategies surrounding communications systems with a strong focus on growing into a strong end-user experience-based organization. We are a diverse, science-heavy environment balancing standardization versus flexibility, and reasonable trade-offs will need to be made to maintain a high level of user satisfaction. Over time, this group is expected to grow in size - both in personnel as well as system responsibility.
   
   This role combines technical expertise, leadership and strategic skills, and a collaborative mindset while working with business and IT leaders across the Laboratory.
   
   Leads the implementation, enhancement, and maintenance of enterprise-wide communications technologies and services for internal telecommunications systems, cellular, in-building and outside structured cabling plant, emergency communications hardware and software. Assists with spectrum management duties. Responsible for the development of strategic roadmaps for key services and technologies, providing leadership and holding accountability throughout their lifecycle - from inception to retirement; establishes and maintains multi-year roadmaps while gaining alignment across the organization; acts as an IT and business partner with the user community to determine solutions and strategies.
   
   The senior communications engineer establishes and maintains regular written and in-person communications with IT leaders, service desk, cyber security, and individual team members regarding technical issues and planned changes. Acts as a project leader on significant enterprise-scale projects and initiatives to translate roadmaps into class-leading IT solutions. Provides technical and leadership mentoring to other team members across communication technologies and user experiences. May participate in the selection of external vendors and the coordination of maintenance and support of the communications systems.
   Required skills and experience:
   Analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance of communications systems in an enterprise information technology environment. Managing radio communications systems including troubleshooting, configuration, maintenance, and best practices at a large scale. Cellular Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) including design, implementation, configuration, testing, and troubleshooting. Knowledge of systems analysis and design, including troubleshooting complex or multiple integrated systems and services. Ability to learn and adapt to new technologies and techniques from the rapidly changing telecommunications management market. Knowledge of voice and data networking principles. Ability to keep and update detailed documentation and drawings. Ability to inspect and maintain communications system throughout the lifecycle. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities. Effective oral, written, and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with peers, subordinates, and all levels of management. Project management and time management skills with independent work capabilities. Ability to learn and follow Laboratory and Department of Energy policies and procedures. To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract. P

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find senior communications engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your senior communications engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit senior communications engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting senior communications engineers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a senior communications engineer applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new senior communications engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the senior communications engineer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new senior communications engineer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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