VoIP engineers design, install and maintain VoIP systems for businesses and networks. They work with IT professionals and create software applications for users. A degree in a related subject is preferred, and certification exams can improve job prospects. Experience is necessary to advance in the field.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a digital networking system that allows people to make phone calls over broadband Internet connections instead of analog landlines. A VoIP engineer designs, tests, installs and maintains on-premises VoIP systems in enterprises and large networks spanning entire regions. Engineers draw on their expert knowledge of computer science, digital audio hardware and VoIP software to implement the latest technologies. They also work with information technology (IT) professionals and systems administrators to explain how to run systems as efficiently as possible.
Most VoIP engineers are employed by telecom companies that provide services to businesses and homes in a specific region. They design schematics for new hardware such as analog-to-digital adapters and standalone VoIP phones. Professionals also create software applications that allow users to easily make calls directly from their computers.
Experienced VoIP engineers set up programs that encode speech and audible noise into digital signals called codecs. They tweak the programs to ensure that the codecs can be sent quickly and correctly over a network and decoded back into sound signals by the receiver’s phone. Understanding the properties of codecs and digital broadcasting requires extensive research and training. As technologies continue to change on a regular basis, it is important for engineers to read industry journals and pursue continuing education to stay current on innovations and trends.
A large corporation might hire a full-time VoIP engineer to manage their local area network. A VoIP engineer at a private company typically spends more time maintaining and troubleshooting systems than workers at telecom companies. He or she sets up wireless LANs, checks Ethernet cables and ports, and tests connection speed. When an IT employee is faced with a difficult problem related to the company’s VoIP system, the engineer can diagnose and fix the problem.
There are no established education requirements to become a VoIP engineer, although a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related subject can greatly improve a person’s chances of entering the field. In fact, a degree in computer science, network engineering, electrical engineering or programming is required by many large telecommunications companies. A prospective VoIP engineer can also take voluntary certification exams offered by private organizations to improve their credentials and their chances of finding work. New engineers typically spend several years in junior or assistant roles to gain experience and master their skills. Successful workers can become senior engineers, supervisors or external consultants in time.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
