What Is a VoIP Engineer?

A voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) engineer is an IT professional who oversees the installation and maintenance of VoIP telephony systems.

VoIP, for those not in the know, is a system where parties can communicate over the Internet instead of through a traditional telephone system.

As such, such an engineer is usually employed by a single company to manage its in-house network.

Read More about a VoIP Engineer

A VoIP engineer has several responsibilities. Check out the requirements you will need to satisfy to become one here.

What Does a VoIP Engineer Do?

The engineers determine and fulfill a company’s voice communication needs. They will thus need to meet with IT managers to determine the company’s networking needs. After that, they need to analyze existing VoIP networks and computer systems.

The engineers must also develop architecture plans for the company’s voice and data services. They must then install network hardware modules, including IP and private branch exchange (PBX) communication servers.

For companies that use specific devices like Cisco Unity systems, the engineers need to design and implement them. They also need to be experts in troubleshooting VoIP network issues.

Over time, the engineers must analyze and upgrade network security systems and protocols; add network users and manage company permissions; and optimize network installations for future expansion. Lastly, they must train all company staff on network and system protocols.

What Does It Take to Become a VoIP Engineer?

To get hired as a VoIP engineer, one must have the following qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, electrical engineering, network engineering, or similar field
Previous experience as a VoIP network engineer
In-depth knowledge of VoIP systems and Internet protocols
Knowledge of hardware, including servers, memory modules, processors, and peripherals
Detailed knowledge of network security systems and software
Good project management skills
Familiarity with wireless access network (WAN) and local area network (LAN) systems
Excellent troubleshooting skills
Advanced written and verbal communication skills
Knowledge of industry-specific programs, such as Juniper, Cisco, and Adtran

In some cases, certifications like Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) increase one’s competitiveness in the job market. Here’s a list of the certifications companies may look for when hiring engineers for more senior positions.

CompTIA Network+

This certification covers troubleshooting, configuring, and managing networks. It validates an engineer’s hands-on skills for both wired and wireless networks.

CompTIA Security+

This is the first security certification any IT professional should earn. It gives engineers the ability to obtain the core knowledge required for any cybersecurity role. It serves as a springboard to intermediate-level cybersecurity jobs.

Cisco CCNP Collaboration

This certification proves an engineer’s skills in handling collaboration solutions. Earning it requires passing two exams. One covers core collaboration technologies and the other, collaboration concentration. Engineers can choose which exam to take so their certification can be customized to their technical area of focus.

Certified Wireless Network Professional

This certification is the only vendor-neutral wireless LAN (WLAN) certification program in the industry that covers the full range of technologies underlying all enterprise WLAN products.

How Much Does a VoIP Engineer Earn on Average?

The average U.S. salary for a VoIP engineer is US$79,804 a year.

How Can a Company Go about Hiring a VoIP Engineer?

Finding the right VoIP engineer for your company requires answering these questions:

Do you have the knowledge, tools, and resources to attract and screen candidates?
Do you need a senior professional or will mid- or junior-level skills and experience suffice?
Do you need an engineer for a one-time project or a full-time position?
Do you have the time and expertise to direct the work effectively?
How soon do you need the engineer?
Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee or should you consider alternate options?

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Given that the VoIP services market is set to reach a value of US$194.5 billion in 2024, the need for VoIP engineers is set to rise.

Key Takeaways

A VoIP engineer is an IT professional who oversees the installation and maintenance of VoIP telephony systems.
The engineer primarily determines and fulfills a company’s voice communication needs.
A bachelor’s degree in IT or related field, previous experience in the role, and in-depth know-how of VoIP systems are just a few of the qualifications companies look for in candidates.
Some companies also look for certifications like CCNA.