Tech savvy individuals who like solving problems and maintaining system security may consider a career as an Internet engineer. These professionals communicate with users and programmers about software concerns and functionality. Tech experience and an undergraduate degree in a computer science field are often required for employment.
Essential Information
An Internet engineer works with a company's current information system, assesses its growing needs and designs and implements new software and applications that will help the company move forward in its market. To do this, the engineer must gain a quick understanding of what the company does, how it markets its product and how it communicates internally.
The Internet engineer must have good communication skills. He or she must be able to teach and offer support services to employees; part of this is accurately assessing the technology skills of the work force. Some people find new technology intimidating and the engineer must demonstrate the ability to explain programs with patience and clarity.
Some companies may not have the resources available to implement new software or applications. The Internet engineer should also have the skills to manage older systems and streamline existing technology. These engineers must also understand the company's financial capacity and be able to offer money-saving solutions.
| Required Education | Associate's or bachelor's degree in computer science |
| Other Requirements | Specific system certifications |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | 8%* (for web developers) |
| Median Salary (2020) | $77,200* (for web developers) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job Duties
Creative problem-solving skills coupled with technological expertise are required to deal with day-to-day occurrences. Whether it's a software glitch or a seemingly inexplicable malfunction, the Internet engineer must be able to isolate the issue and repair the problem in a timely manner.
As website hacking becomes more prevalent, Internet engineers are increasingly called on to create security solutions. Engineers must be able to locate and block gaps before a hacker finds them. These engineers must also have the ability to detect subtle compromises in the system that may otherwise go unnoticed. Any damage that occurs must be repaired immediately.
An Internet engineer must be capable of multi-tasking. Most engineers work on several projects simultaneously while consulting with other team members or company employees. This ability is essential for senior engineers and Internet engineering project managers.
Requirements
Education
It is fairly common for web developers, (a more general term for Internet engineers), to hold associate's degrees in computer-based fields. For this particular career, though, most companies require the minimum of a bachelor's degree in computer science. These 4-year programs, commonly found at universities, are heavily mathematics-based and focus on computer design, computational processes and information transfer. Aspiring Internet engineers who graduate from baccalaureate programs like this will be prepared to develop and improve software, security, usability and system performance in the workplace.
For even more advantageous career positioning, a Master of Science in computer science or web science is a suitable choice for an Internet engineer. These 2-year programs spotlight the Internet industry. Candidates for a master's degree can expect coursework in artificial intelligence, web algorithms, distributed software development and security function, among other topics.
Experience
Most employers are looking for 1-3 years of experience in programming or software development and implementation. Other areas of expertise required include familiarity with XML, web content management systems, e-commerce systems, JAVA script applications, and various Microsoft technologies, as well as LAN and WAN technologies.
Salary and Job Outlook
Employment of web developers is expected to increase by 8% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS reported that web developers made a median annual salary of $77,200 as of May 2020.
Internet engineers perform a lot of trouble shooting for issues like everyday glitches all the way to potential breaches in digital security. Undergraduate degrees in fields related to computer science are typically required for these professionals, as well as industry experience in developing software or programming. The booming job growth estimate of 8% between 2019 and 2029 for web developers, as predicted by the BLS, highlights the increased need for Internet engineers.
