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Telecommunications Engineer

Technology

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

Electrical EngineeringComputer Science

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.
  2. 2Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.
  3. 3Keep 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.
  4. 4Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.
  5. 5Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data.
  6. 6Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems.
  7. 7Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
  8. 8Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services.
  9. 9Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration.
  10. 10Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways.
  11. 11Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use.
  12. 12Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems.
  13. 13Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures.
  14. 14Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems.
  15. 15Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, or compatibility with existing systems.
  16. 16Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity.
  17. 17Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools.
  18. 18Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment.
  19. 19Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions.
  20. 20Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations.
  21. 21Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.
  22. 22Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks.
  23. 23Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices.
  24. 24Supervise maintenance of telecommunications equipment.
  25. 25Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.
  26. 26Prepare system activity and performance reports.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • RCDD
  • Engineer
  • OSP Engineer
  • VoIP Engineer
  • VOIP Engineer
  • Field Engineer
  • Voice Engineer
  • Telecom Analyst
  • Network Engineer
  • Telecom Engineer

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. Typical entry

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationPost-secondary certificate

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Telecommunications — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Telecommunications — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
PhysicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Design & Technology (RBT)Draws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Telecommunications98%

    Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesComputer Science / ICT

  • Engineering and Technology81%

    PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

  • Computers and Electronics81%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • English Language72%

    English

  • Mathematics72%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

  • Customer and Personal Service70%

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicA little
  • Leading or coordinating othersHigh
  • Handling conflict situationsRarely
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherRarely
  • Noisy environmentRarely

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

26%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

0.11%

Of Malaysian Claude conversations, about this kind of work

Measures how much people use Claude for this work, not how many Malaysians do this job — and more AI use can mean people relying on it, not that it's replacing them.

Growing role in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not Malaysian. Shown because it's the only forward-looking demand estimate we have for this job.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Cybersecurity Analyst

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

TVET

Hands-on trades with strong employability: ILP, ADTEC, kolej vokasional, GiatMARA.

1–3 years

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org