Network Systems Engineers
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Job description
These individuals plan, design, coordinate, and administer the security systems and software that protect an organization's technological infrastructure. They integrate networks with data communication hardware and software. They ensure data security and carry out fault recovery and backup operations. They evaluate and optimize network capacity and performance. They work for:
- Engineering, manufacturing, and telecommunications companies
- Computer consulting firms
- Government agencies
- Educational and research institutions
- IT services of private and public companies
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
Main tasks
- Determine the IT hardware and software needs of an organization.
- Develop an architecture of communication systems and networks.
- Install network systems and software.
- Lead and coordinate teams during the manufacture and development of hardware and software and the integration of systems architecture.
- Solve systems and software problems by troubleshooting for users.
- Maintain and update network systems.
Advancement and mobility
- These individuals may specialize in various fields (integrated circuits, fibre optics, lasers, etc.).
- Experience leads to senior or supervisory positions.
- These individuals may work in related fields (science, engineering, sales, marketing, management, etc.).
Training and requirements
Formation
University studies
Also required
- Membership in the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ [Quebec Order of Engineers]) to practise as an Engineer and carry out activities that are reserved for them.
Sometimes required
- Programming experience considered an asset.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Critical thought
- Solving complex problems
- Judgment and decision-making
- System analysis
- Science
- Operation analysis
- Material resource management
- Quality control analysis
- Coordination
- Technological design
- Active learning
- Result evaluation
- Systems evaluation
- Written expression
- Troubleshooting
- Time management
- Installation
- Reading comprehension
- Equipment selection
- Monitoring operations
- Programing
- Mathematics
- Service oriented
- Operations and control
- Oral expression
Abilities
- Deductive reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Awareness of issues
- Information organization
- Near vision
- Classification
- Basic numeracy
- Idea generation
- Originality
- Selective attention
- Control accuracy
- Mathematical reasoning
- Written expression
- Written comprehension
- Visualization
- Manual dexterity
- Oral comprehension
- Verbal skills
- Digital dexterity
- Speech recognition
- Processing flexibility
- Speech clarity
- Hand-arm stability
Knowledge and attributes
- Critical thinking
- Autonomy
- Sense of responsibility
- Capacity to adapt
- Rigour
- Sense of initiative
- Knowledge of computer science, digital and electronics
- Capacity for synthesis
- Desire to upgrade one’s competencies
- Knowledge of engineering and technology
Interests
- Direct, organize, and manage
- Draft, communicate, and inform
- Work with numbers
- Work in an office
- Create, design
- Work in computer science or information and communication technologies (ICT)
- Conduct tests and trials, control processes
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (CNP 21311)
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026
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