Summary
Telecommunications Engineers (KeSCO 2163) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Science, Engineering & Built EnvironmentProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Telecommunications Engineers (KeSCO 2163) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
- Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
- Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
- Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
- Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
- Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
- Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
- Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
- Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
- Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
- Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
- Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
- Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management and prioritisation
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Customer service orientation
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Adaptability and continuous learning
- Decision-making and judgement
- Documentation and record-keeping
- Digital literacy (basic)
- Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
- Use of hand and power tools safely
- Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
- Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
- Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
- Quality control and workmanship standards
- Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
- Workplace safety and PPE usage
- Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
- Material handling and storage
- Site readiness and task planning
- Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
- Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
- Negotiation and stakeholder management
- Conflict resolution
- Presentation and public speaking
- Creativity and innovation
- Emotional intelligence
- Planning and organisation
- Resilience and stress management
- Service mindset and empathy
- Networking and relationship building
- Analytical thinking
- Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
- Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
- Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
- First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
- Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
- Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
- Professional registration/licensing where regulated
- Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Relevant courses
- Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
- Civil/Construction Technology
- Welding and Fabrication
- Plumbing and Pipefitting
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Automotive Mechanics
- Plant/Machine Operation
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
- CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions
- Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
- National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
- Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
- Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
- Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
- Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
- Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
- Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
- Minimum education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
- Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
- Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
- Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
- Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
- Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
- Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
- Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
Where they work
- Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
- Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
- Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
- Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
Related occupations
- Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
- Support roles in the same sector/industry
- Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
- Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
2163-12 — Broadcast Engineer
Broadcast Engineer is responsible for installs radio and television equipment, providing engineering support for all television and radio production operations; performing duties in radio and television master control and our radio and television studios, including maintenance of master control and production systems, ingest and playback servers, routing systems, satellite reception equipment for radio and television and microwave systems assists broadcast journalism students as necessary within their professional field.
2163-17 — Core Network Engineer
Core Network Engineer is responsible for installs telecomm core nodes that allow network providers to ensure coverage to their customer supervises and execute cabling work and take care of technical specifics like cooling and grounding using building drawings investigates sites, draw up pre studies, creates, documentations and reports related to network nodes installation within their professional field.
2163-11 — Engineer Telecommunications
Engineer Telecommunications is responsible for design and oversees the installation of telecom equipment and facilities plan, designing, building, configuring and commissioning telecommunications devices, networks and systems; monitor telecommunications systems to assess need for updates, upgrades, enhancements, preventive maintenance and new system within their professional field.
2163-18 — Network Engineer
Network Engineer is responsible for configure and install various network devices and service ( eg routers, switches, firewall, load balancers, vpn, qos) perform network maintenance and system upgrades including service packs, patches, hot fixes and security configurations monitor performance and ensure system availability and reliability monitor system resource utilization, trending and capacity planning provide level 2/3 support and troubleshooting to resolve issues work within established configuration and change management policies to ensure awareness, approval and success of change made to the network infrastructure select and implement security tool, policies and procedures in conjunction with the company’s security teams liase with vendors and other it personnel for problem resolution within their professional field.
2163-16 — Radio, Engineer Telecommunications
Radio, Engineer Telecommunications is responsible for researches and advises on telecommunications equipment; install, maintain and repair public and private telephone systems maintains test and repair telecommunications cables within their professional field.
2163-15 — Sound Engineer
Sound Engineer is responsible for sets up, maintain and regularly inspects sound equipment’s collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of video editors, lighting experts and cameramen assist in synchronizing video and audio tracks test and improve sound quality add sound effects to recordings create and update sound libraries resolve technical problems when they occur stay up to date with latest trends and best practices within their professional field.
2163-14 — Telecom Terminal Equipment Application Development
Telecom Terminal Equipment Application Development is responsible for creates customized applications performs unit tests for the coded written creates user interfaces, writes business logics for events, activities and business logic defines by the app ensures there is adequate safety measures in place to protect valuable data from an unauthorized external ages processing data and information within their professional field.
2163-13 — Telecommunications Engineering Technologist,
Telecommunications Engineering Technologist, is responsible for performs technical tasks connect with telecommunications engineering research provide technical assistance connected with research and the development of telecommunication equipment’s provide technical supervision of the manufacture, utilization, maintenance and repair of telecommunication systems within their professional field.