A VoIP engineer is oftentimes required by a company in order to ensure their VoIP or voice over IP connections are functioning and deployed properly. VoIP engineers oversee and engage in the installation, maintenance, and upgrading of any VoIP systems within your business. These engineers will often work on a by-company basis due to the crucial nature of the functioning of any VoIP systems which your company uses.
Due to the highly technical nature of the position, an ideal candidate will oftentimes have either a degree or relevant certifications for their position. These candidates should also be considered if they are excellent at technical troubleshooting, and an intimate understanding of VoIP systems is of utmost importance. VoIP engineers will work in an office environment, although their job may require them to travel to different locations depending on the complexity and size of the VoIP system implemented by your business.
Sample job description
We are seeking a VOIP engineer to design, implement, and support our internal VOIP system. This position will work with the IT department to create a unique system that ushers in new capabilities for productivity. They will be responsible for VOIP hardware and software. To be successful in the VOIP engineer position, you must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major coursework in telecommunications technology, electronics engineering technology, electrical engineering technology, computer science, information systems management, or a related field.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Installation of equipment to facilitate integration with our intranet
- Provide advice on how to configure network switches for optimal functionality
- Troubleshoot hardware problems
- Research software updates to increase capacity and optimize performance
- Design, implement, test, and support the daily operation of our VOIP system
- Identify short-term goals to increase productivity in communications infrastructure
- See that all equipment functions are optimized for efficiency
- Perform network analysis to improve security and prevent future failures or downtime
- Research new technologies to stay abreast of field developments
Education and experience
- A bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, electronics engineering technology, computer science, information systems management, or a related field is required for this position
- Six to ten years of work experience in the IT industry with two or more years of VOIP expertise
- Excellent knowledge of IP networks and technologies such as NAT, DHCP, DNS, VLAN, MPLS, and WAN
- Strong background in TCP/IP networking specifications, performance improvement techniques, network management tools, and methodologies
- Working knowledge of network topologies such as LANs, WANs, MANs and wireless networks
- Knowledge of Open Source VOIP solutions is a plus
- Working knowledge of scripting languages such as Perl, PHP, and C++ a plus
Required skills and qualifications
- Strong knowledge of network protocols and networking technologies
- The ability to work with common programming languages is necessary
- The capacity to learn new programming languages
- Advanced skills are required for troubleshooting problems related to networks
- Knowledge of Linux and Window systems, including shell scripting languages
- Knowledge of TCP/IP
- Basic knowledge of Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, and other telecommunication networks architecture
Preferred qualifications
- Good knowledge of Java and XML Technologies
- Knowledge of VoIP protocols, including SIP and RTP
- Experience with signaling protocols such as H.323 or MGCP is preferred
- Good knowledge of Python
- Experience with network protocols such as PANA, DHCP, and DNS
- Good analytical skills
Average salary and compensation
The average salary for a VOIP engineer is $98,800 in the United States. Position salary will vary based on experience, education, company size, industry, and market.
| Location | Salary Low | Salary High |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $98,250 | $132,950 |
| Los Angeles, California | $110,850 | $150,00 |
| Denver, Colorado | $92,400 | $125,00 |
| Washington, DC | $112,550 | $152,250 |
| Miami, Florida | $91,950 | $124,400 |
| Orlando, Florida | $84,800 | $114,750 |
| Tampa, Florida | $85,650 | $115,900 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $89,850 | $121,550 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $103,300 | $139,750 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $111,700 | $151,100 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota | $89,000 | $120,450 |
| New York City, New York | $117,550 | $159,100 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $95,750 | $129,550 |
| Dallas, Texas | $93,200 | $126,100 |
| Houston, Texas | $92,400 | $125,00 |
| Seattle, Washington | $107,500 | $145,450 |
| National Average | $84,000 | $113,600 |
Typical work environment
Work is typically performed in an office or computer lab environment, with some work being done remotely. The typical work week consists of 40 hours per week, although overtime may be required on occasion. VOIP engineers will be expected to work under pressure at times and must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
Typical hours
Flexible working hours are common, with employees able to work their own schedule. There is no standard corporate policy for VOIP engineers because it varies by company, but efficient time management should be taken into account while balancing other personal responsibilities. Some companies will have an open-door policy regarding work hours.
Available certifications
VOIP engineers have a variety of certifications to choose from. Some of the most popular ones are:
- Comptia Network+. This certification helps develop a career in IT infrastructure covering troubleshooting, configuring, and managing networks. CompTIA Network+ validates the hands-on skills needed to troubleshoot, configure, and manage both wired and wireless networks.
- Comptia Security+. This is the first security certification IT professionals should earn. It establishes the core knowledge required of any cybersecurity role and provides a springboard to intermediate-level cybersecurity jobs.
- Cisco CCNP Collaboration. Achieving CCNP Collaboration certification proves your skills with collaboration solutions. To earn CCNP Collaboration certification, you pass two exams: one that covers core collaboration technologies and one collaboration concentration exam of your choice, so you can customize your certification to your technical area of focus.
- Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP). The only vendor-neutral wireless LAN certification program in the industry, covering the full range of technologies underlying all enterprise WLAN products.
Career path
VOIP engineers typically begin their careers by performing routine maintenance on systems, installing equipment, and ensuring the network is up to date. As experience is gained, they may be given more difficult tasks related to troubleshooting or upgrading systems.
A VOIP engineer may choose from one of two career paths: Senior level engineer or systems engineer. A senior level engineer is most commonly hired by large or medium-sized organizations, and will ideally have experience working in two or more departments such as customer service, sales, and software development. A systems engineer’s job is focused mostly on the installation and maintenance of telecommunications systems. They may also install communication solutions for companies that do not have a telecommunications staff in-house.
US, Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook
SOC Code: 17-2070
| 2020 Employment | 313,200 |
| Projected Employment in 2030 | 333,600 |
| Projected 2020-2030 Percentage Shift | 7% increase |
| Projected 2020-2030 Numeric Shift | 20,400 increase |
Position trends
VOIP engineers will see a 7% growth in the job market from 2020 to 2030, with an increase in jobs being created due to technological improvements and new software products. In addition, more companies are moving their telecommunication services in-house which requires additional VOIP engineers. As VOIP systems are seen as cost-effective alternatives to landlines, they are likely to become more popular in homes and offices alike.
The demand for VOIP engineers is expected to rise given the increase in internet usage and development of high-speed networks. Many organizations are moving towards VoIP technology due to its lower costs and flexibility over traditional public switched telephone networks or PSTNs. VOIP engineers are likely to experience high demand in areas with heavy telecommunications traffic or technological innovation, such as Silicon Valley and the Research Triangle in North Carolina.
Sample interview questions
- Discuss with me how you handle changes in the job.
- Are you good at learning new things?
- What problems do you face and how do you solve them?
- How do you keep your knowledge up-to-date?
- What is your greatest technical achievement to date? Why was it significant?
- What are some of your personal weaknesses? What have you done to try and improve upon them?
- Some of our clients are concerned about how to implement VoIP technology without interrupting business as usual. What would you advise them?
- What technical problems do you often face at your job? How do you solve them?
- What is your idea of the most effective work environment and why?
- Describe a typical day for me.
- How did you develop your work style?
- How do you deal with stress or pressure at work?
- How well did your education prepare you for your career? For example, did it provide you with the skills necessary to succeed in this field?
- What was the most useful thing you learned in school?
- How do you handle criticism or discipline at work?
- Describe a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem. What did you do?
