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If you think the Internet of Things is some futuristic concept, well, it’s not. It’s already here, it’s already ubiquitous, and it’s already kind of scary. Every device that’s connected to the Internet is already a part of the Internet of Things and is already churning out reams of data about you. So if you’re interested in getting involved with the IoT in some way, there’s going to be a huge demand for people to build out, manage, and secure this massive network of hardware and software. The challenge for would-be IoT workers is figuring out where to start.
Getting in can be tough, but once you know what is required to get in, it can be pretty simple. So how do you get into this crazy, fast-paced market?
To start off, the industry is changing at a rapid pace. Therefore, the job listings will change just as fast. Thus, it is best to know where the industry is headed and how the current jobs can lead to other jobs in the future.
1. Embedded Firmware Engineer
At the heart of every smart device is firmware. Firmware is the specific software programmed directly into a piece of hardware. Firmware engineers bridge the gap between hardware capabilities and software execution.
In this position, you write low-level code that tells physical devices how to behave. You work closely with microcontrollers and processors. The code must be incredibly efficient because these devices often operate with limited memory and battery power.
The work of the Embedded Firmware Engineer is delicate. It is one thing to write code for an “infinite resource” cloud server but completely different when trying to squeeze out a few more milliwatts of battery life while tweaking lines of code at 2 AM for a device the size of a coin.
Key Skills Needed
- Proficiency in C and C++ programming languages.
- Deep understanding of microcontroller architecture.
- Experience with real-time operating systems.
2. IoT Security Specialist
The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly increasing in size as more and more devices connect to the Internet. This creates a massive increase in potential entry points for cyber threats to exploit. The role of the IoT Security Specialist is arguably the biggest challenge currently facing the industry today. Companies are willing to pay a premium for the best security talent as they try to outsmart the bad guys.
A Security Specialist for IoT protects the whole ecosystem, i.e. the physical device, the network, as well as the cloud. He or she tests for vulnerabilities, e.g., by hacking into devices. On top of that, he or she implements end-to-end encryption in order to prevent data from being accessed by third parties.
And the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The image of a smart grid or a fleet of self-driving delivery vehicles hacked by a malicious hacker is extremely scary. So the pay for security experts is extremely high, because everyone wants to outsmart the other guy. That is why you get paid so much.
Key Skills Needed
- Expertise in cryptography and network security protocols.
- Knowledge of firmware reverse engineering.
- Familiarity with industry compliance and privacy standards.
3. IoT Data Analyst
A lot of data is being collected from these millions of devices. It all has to be put into a context to be of use to companies and to yield business value for them. By setting up and monitoring appropriate data analysis processes, IoT data analysts can offer companies the corresponding results. These results can then be used for decisions, for process improvements or for entirely new business fields that have emerged through the use of IoT.
You design systems that enable the collection, cleaning, and analysis of data from millions of active devices. Most of the time, you will train so-called machine learning models that enable single devices to make predictions or to act autonomously. Sometimes a part will fail, and the machine will stop working, but if the machine is able to predict this failure before it happens, then the machine can be shut down in order to prevent the failure from happening.
So, what does this look like in practice?
This would allow a business to fix problems before they actually occur, thus greatly changing the manner in which a number of different industries are able to function. In a sense, this allows for machines to have a voice and express when they are in need of repair.
Key Skills Needed
- Mastery of Python, R, and SQL.
- Experience with big data frameworks and cloud-based analytics platforms.
- Background in machine learning and statistical modeling.
4. IoT Network and Cloud Architect
This job function designs the communication of individual devices in order to allow them to collect and send data to other devices as well as to be processed by servers in cloud environments. Thus, IoT Network and Cloud Architects are responsible for setting up networks as well as for designing cloud environments in order to process the data from devices. In addition, IoT architects are also responsible for scaling the system in order to process the huge amounts of data from an ever increasing number of devices.
This professional designs the way in which devices connect to each other in order to send information, including through the use of cellular networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even special types of mesh networks. In addition, he or she is responsible for designing the cloud-based system where the information collected by devices is received, processed and stored. This professional must be able to design systems that are able to scale in order to deal with the fact that there are tens of millions of devices in existence. Thus, this professional’s work is not limited to getting a single device to function, but rather to get tens of millions of devices to communicate with each other without bringing the entire system down.
Key Skills Needed
- Strong knowledge of major cloud infrastructure platforms.
- Understanding of networking protocols and edge computing principles.
- Experience with containerization tools.
How to Apply and Stand Out
However, knowing where the jobs are is only half the battle. There are many more steps involved in successfully applying for a job, and these need to be tackled in a very strategic way. The field of IoT Network and Cloud Architectures is highly technical and multi-disciplinary therefore, application materials need to demonstrate both specific expertise as well as an appreciation of the larger technical ecosystem. This means that an overhaul of the current resume is in order.
Have you looked at your current resume lately? Maybe it is time for an overhaul.
Build a Portfolio of Tangible Projects
Most jobs in the field are mostly theoretical; the employer wants to see that you can implement and complete projects in various areas, such as weather stations (home or professional) that read various parameters, including wind, temperature, air quality etc, or even simple projects like automated watering of plants. This project would be best if completed, and a written description of the process is also completed. This will prove that you have the skills to implement solutions in IoT.
Showcase Real-World IoT Projects
Building physical devices and creating projects around embedded development to prove your ability to apply your knowledge to solving problems is important to demonstrate to hiring managers that you can create things. You can use a simple development board and wire up a few components to build a project. Documenting your process as you go along will also show your ability to apply yourself to complete tasks in order to reach your goals. Uploading your code to a public repository to share your work is an important step in showcasing your ability to problem-solve. Your tangible projects will serve as tangible proof of your ability to complete development projects in order to tackle more complex tasks in the future.
Tailor Your Application Materials
The content of your resume needs to be adjusted to the level of precision of the tasks described in a job posting. The list of technical skills on your resume should be as complete as possible and include all programming languages, tools, and hardware and software platforms required for the posted job. In order to make your application as an IoT Network and Cloud Architect look even more professional, you can use HR-approved resume templates. High quality templates will allow you to highlight your most important technical skills.
Frame your experience around what you achieved with your job rather than a list of all the tasks that you perform on a day-to-day basis. For example, instead of saying that you maintained code for the past 3 years, say that you optimized the firmware of embedded devices to decrease their power consumption by up to 15% and that you increased the battery life of the devices.
Every little detail matters. By making such a small change to your resume (framing your experience in terms of achievements instead of work responsibilities), you will make your application stand out and get noticed by the employer. It will also prove that you are serious about your work and its implications.
Lean Into Continuous Learning
Given how fast connected device technology is changing, technology from even a few years ago can be obsolete now. Show your potential employer that you are a lifelong learner and are up for the challenge of supporting connected devices by getting certifications in cloud architecture, embedded systems, or even cybersecurity. Also, attend as many webinars as you can related to the field and join as many online forums and groups as you can find where developers are discussing the latest technologies for supporting connected devices. Mentioning any of your learning initiatives in your cover letter will also give hiring managers a sense of your proactive mindset and your ability to learn and take on new challenges.
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