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What is a VoIP Engineer?

D. Jeffress
D. Jeffress

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a digital network system that allows people to make telephone calls over broadband Internet connections rather than analog land lines. A VoIP engineer designs, tests, installs, and maintains both local VoIP systems at businesses and large networks that span entire regions. Engineers rely 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 system administrators to explain how to run systems as efficiently as possible.

Most VoIP engineers are employed by telecommunications companies that provide services to businesses and residences within a particular region. They design schematics for new hardware, such as analog-to-digital adapters and standalone VoIP telephones. Professionals also create software applications that allow users to easily make calls directly from their computers.

A VoIP engineer designs, tests, installs, and maintains both local VoIP systems at businesses and large networks that span entire regions.
A VoIP engineer designs, tests, installs, and maintains both local VoIP systems at businesses and large networks that span entire regions.

Experienced VoIP engineers set up programs that encode speech and audible noises into digital signals called codecs. They tweak programs to make sure codecs can be sent quickly and correctly across a network and decoded back into audible signals by the receiver's phone. Understanding the properties of codecs and digital transmission requires extensive research and training. Since technologies continue to change on a regular basis, it is important for engineers to read industry journals and pursue continuing education in order to stay up-to-date on innovations and trends.

A VoIP engineer may check Ethernet cables for problems.
A VoIP engineer may check Ethernet cables for problems.

A large corporation may hire a full-time VoIP engineer to manage its local area network. A VoIP engineer at a private business typically spends more time performing maintenance and troubleshooting systems than workers at telecommunications companies. He or she sets up wireless local area networks, checks Ethernet cables and ports, and tests connection speeds. When an IT worker is confronted with a difficult issue related to the company's VoIP system, the engineer can diagnose and fix the problem.

Experienced VoIP engineers set up programs that encode speech and audible noises into visible signals called codecs.
Experienced VoIP engineers set up programs that encode speech and audible noises into visible signals called codecs.

There are no set education requirements to become a VoIP engineer, though 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 his credentials and his chances of finding work. New engineers typically spend several years in junior or assistant positions to gain experience and master their skills. Successful workers may be able to become senior engineers, supervisors, or outside consultants in time.

Discussion Comments

anon277982

I am a telecom engineer and unfortunately I had to work as a technical support representative and now want to work as a VOIP engineer, as I lately realized that I am wasting my degree in telecom Engineering. Could any one of you suggest where can I find the training and job as a VOIP engineer?

nony

@strawCake - I believe that if you want to be a telecommunications engineer, and especially work in telephony, you should definitely pursue something like a Cisco or similar certification.

The reason is clear. VOIP uses the Internet, and Cisco is the premier routine technology used for Internet transmissions. You can usually take classes at a local community college and then take the exam.

I think that this certification would be worth more than simply having a college degree, although I certainly don’t discount the importance of that.

allenJo

@strawCake - What many people don’t realize is that the VOIP engineering is not as complicated as it once was, as a result of the advances in technology and the availability of open source hardware and software to deliver the service.

I have a friend who ran a number of businesses, and although

he is not an engineer, he even ran his own VOIP telephone company. You only need one piece of hardware to get started, the VOIP PBX, and you can subscribe to services that will route incoming and outgoing calls and get you a ramp onto the Public Switched Telephone Network.

It’s true: with VOIP, you don’t need to be AT&T or Verizon to run your own telephone company. My friend would sell phone cards to people using his service and made some money for quite some time, but the competition was too intense so he had to fold eventually.

strawCake

@JessicaLynn - I think you're right. I know the article says there are no set education requirements to be a VoIP engineer but I bet that will change in the future. I feel like most technical engineers usually have pretty specific fields of study. However since VoIP is new I can see why there aren't many education requirements yet.

JessicaLynn

VoIP telephone systems are the wave of the future for sure. My company uses one and employs a VoIP engineer. I know a lot of other companies are doing the same thing so I think there are probably a lot of VoIP engineer jobs out there. And if there isn't now I think there will be a big demand soon!

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    • A VoIP engineer designs, tests, installs, and maintains both local VoIP systems at businesses and large networks that span entire regions.
      By: makspogonii
      A VoIP engineer designs, tests, installs, and maintains both local VoIP systems at businesses and large networks that span entire regions.
    • A VoIP engineer may check Ethernet cables for problems.
      By: panomacc
      A VoIP engineer may check Ethernet cables for problems.
    • Experienced VoIP engineers set up programs that encode speech and audible noises into visible signals called codecs.
      By: sumos
      Experienced VoIP engineers set up programs that encode speech and audible noises into visible signals called codecs.