Optical communication engineers plan, design, develop, modify, computer and telecommunications hardware and related equipment, and information and communication system networks including mainframe systems, local and wide area networks, fiber-optic networks, wireless communication networks, intranets, the Internet and other data communications systems.
An optical communication engineer might find employment in companies that manufacture computer and telecommunication hardware, telecommunications firms, information technology consulting firms etc.
Engineer, optical communications- NOC 2147
All occupations available in the Canadian labour market are classified into unique 4-digit codes, as per the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Computer engineers – with the exception of software engineers and designers – come under NOC 2147. Individuals working as an “engineer, optical communications” are a part of this occupation group.
In Canada, NOC 2147 can expect to earn somewhere between CAD 25/hour and CAD 63.94/hour.
The median wage for NOC 2147 in Canada is nearly CAD 44.10 per hour. The maximum wages for this profession are in the Canadian province of Ontario where it is CAD 47.69 per hour.
Find out how much workers earned last year in your region and elsewhere in Canada.
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Hourly wages for NOC 2147 in Canada
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| Low | Median | High | |
| CANADA | 25.00 | 44.10 | 63.94 |
| Province/territory | Low | Median | High |
| Alberta | 28.85 | 46.85 | 80.77 |
| British Columbia | 26.32 | 40.49 | 59.26 |
| Manitoba | 20.95 | 42.56 | 46.15 |
| New Brunswick | 19.00 | 31.25 | 53.30 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 19.00 | 31.25 | 53.30 |
| Northwest Territories | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nova Scotia | 19.00 | 31.25 | 53.30 |
| Nunavut | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ontario | 25.00 | 47.69 | 66.83 |
| Prince Edward Island | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Quebec | 31.25 | 42.74 | 57.69 |
| Saskatchewan | 38.00 | 38.40 | 40.00 |
| Yukon | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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Skills/Knowledge required for NOC 2147 in Canada
Generally, the following will be required for working in Canada as an optical communication engineer –
| Skills | Analysis | · Analyzing information
· Planning · Researching and investigating
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| Communication | · Liaising and networking
· Professional communicating
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| Information handling | Managing information | |
| Management | · Co-ordinating and organizing
· Supervising
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| Working with Technological Equipment and Machinery | · Debugging and Reprogramming Technical Systems
· Installing and Setting-Up Technical Infrastructure
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| Creative expression | Designing | |
| Knowledge | Communications and Transportation | Telecommunications |
| Engineering and Technology | · Computer and information systems
· Electricity (electrical and electronics) · Engineering and applied technologies · Design
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| Mathematics and Science | Physics |
3-year job prospect-The job prospect in the next three years for this profession is good in most provinces of Canada.
Future job prospects for NOC 2147 in Canada, by province and territory.
| Job prospects | Location in Canada |
| Good | · British Columbia
· Manitoba · New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Ontario · Quebec · Saskatchewan
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| Fair | Alberta
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| Limited | - |
| Undetermined | · Newfoundland and Labrador
· Northwest Territories · Nunavut · Prince Edward Island · Yukon
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10-year predictions
There will be more job openings than job seekers for this position in the next ten years. Vacancies may not get filled due to skill shortage.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or electrical or electronic engineering or in a related area of engineering is required.
- A master’s degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline.
- Licensing of skilled engineers by a provincial or territorial association is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practice as a Professional Engineer.
- After graduation from an approved training program and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering, and after passing a professional practice exam, they are eligible for registration.
Professional license requirements
Before you can start working, you may need to get a professional license from a regulatory authority.
Do note that NOC 2147 is for Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers).
As NOC 2147 comes under “regulated occupations”, proper certification from a regulatory authority in Canada will be required before commencing to work in Canada as an optical communication engineer.
The regulatory authority that certifies the individual will be as per the province or territory that the individual intends working in Canada in.
| Location | Regulatory body |
| Alberta | Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta |
| British Columbia | Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia |
| Manitoba | Engineers Geoscientists of Manitoba |
| New Brunswick | Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New Brunswick |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Northwest Territories | Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists |
| Nova Scotia | Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia |
| Nunavut | Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists |
| Ontario | Professional Engineers Ontario |
| Prince Edward Island | Association of Professional Engineers of Prince Edward Island
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| Quebec | Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec |
| Saskatchewan | Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan |
| Yukon | Engineers of Yukon |
Responsibilities
- Research, plan and produce computer and telecommunications hardware such as microprocessors, integrated circuit boards and semiconductor lasers.
- Supervising, inspecting and providing design assistance during computer and telecommunications hardware production, installation and implementation.
- Establishing and sustaining partnerships with providers and consumers
- May lead and co-ordinate teams of engineers, technologists, technicians, etc. in computer and computer design and development and telecommunications hardware.
- They can specialize in a variety of fields, including the processing of analogue and digital signals, fiber optics, integrated circuits, lasers, microprocessors, microwaves, and radio astronomy.
- Study, design and development of the network architecture of information and communication systems
- Network system and data exchange hardware and software analysis, evaluation and integration
- Evaluating, recording and maximizing the potential and efficacy of information networks and communication systems
- Play a lead in the development and integration of information and communication system architecture, hardware and software and organize teams of design professionals.
There are many ways for an optical communication engineer to migrate overseas to Canada with family.
Individuals with their occupation classified under NOC 2147 might take up a job in Canada and work overseas, thereby gaining Canadian experience making them eligible for various Canada immigration streams.
An optical communication engineer might acquire Canadian permanent residency through the Express Entry system of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
A nomination – by a provincial or territorial government part of the Canadian PNP – guarantees an invitation to apply by IRCC.
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