The role of an IoT networking engineer is to design, implement, and maintain the networking infrastructures that enable IoT devices to communicate with each other and with other computing infrastructures (e.g., cloud/edge computing infrastructures). IoT networking engineer are concerned with ensuring that data is transmitted securely, reliably, and efficiently across the IoT network. At a finer level of detail, IoT networking engineers have the following responsibilities:

• Designing and implementing networks that support the optimal operation of IoT devices, considering factors such as bandwidth, latency, and reliability.
• Configuring and managing the networking equipment of the IoT network, including routers, switches, firewalls, and access points.
• Working with software developers and embedded systems developers to ensure that IoT applications are optimised for the available networking infrastructure.
• Troubleshooting network problems and identifying areas for improvement considering the network’s performance, security, and reliability.
• Ensuring that networks are compliant with relevant standards and regulations, including privacy and security standards.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Application Developer” skills profile.

This role involves developing network architectures and selecting the appropriate technologies to ensure that data is transmitted securely, reliably, and efficiently. The typical responsibilities of an IoT network architect include:

• Designing and implementing network architectures that support IoT devices. The designs should aim to achieve scalability, reliability, and security.
• Selecting and configuring networking equipment in-line with the overall architecture of the network.
• Identifying, developing, and configuring network protocols and standards to ensure that IoT devices can communicate with each other and with other infrastructures and services such as cloud-based services.
• Collaborating with IoT applications developers to ensure that IoT applications are optimised for the networking infrastructures at hand.
• Designing network architectures that adhere to relevant standards and regulations, such as GDPR.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Data Analytics Expert” skills profile.

An IoT data analytics expert focuses on the analysis of the large amounts of data that are typically produced by IoT devices towards extracting meaningful insights. It is a multi-facet role with different activities including the development of algorithms, models, and analytical tools that enable organisations to leverage their IoT data in order to improve their decision making. Specifically, some of the most common responsibilities of an IoT data analytics expert include:

• Developing algorithms and models for analysing IoT data from different devices (e.g., sensors, machines, wearables, automation devices). The model development tasks of an IoT Data Analytics Expert may include machine learning and artificial intelligence developments.
• Creating data visualisations and dashboards to help organisations understand the IoT-generated insights.
• Collaborating with other IoT professionals (e.g., software developers, networking engineers) to improve the effectiveness of the data collection and transmission processes towards optimising the data analytics tasks.
• Identifying patterns and trends in IoT data towards producing actionable for improving business processes, optimising operations, and enhancing customer experience.
• Working with data security experts to protect sensitive data and to ensure compliance to applicable data related regulations such as the GDPR.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Data Analytics Expert” skills profile.

Embedded Systems Engineers design, develop, and tests embedded systems, including systems that are integrated into IoT devices.  The responsibilities of an embedded systems engineer include various tasks such as circuit design, programming, testing, and documentation. Embedded systems engineers collaborate with other IoT professionals such as software engineers, hardware engineers, and IoT system designers, to ensure that the embedded system meets a product’s requirements and specifications.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “Embedded Systems Engineer” skills profile.

The role of an IoT Project Manager involves managing the entire IoT project lifecycle, from project planning to implementation and post-project support. A IoT Project Manager professional works typically with cross-functional teams, including software developers, hardware engineers, data analysts, IoT network engineers and other stakeholders. He/she is responsible to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, according to the given specifications, and to the required quality standards.

An IoT Project Manager’s day-to-day responsibilities and tasks span the development of project plans, the definition of project requirements, the coordination of project activities, the monitoring of the project’s progress, as well as the communication of the project’s status to stakeholders. IoT Project Manager must ultimately ensure that the project aligns with the organisation’s strategic objectives and delivers business value. To this direction, IoT Project Managers must have strong technical background in IoT technology, along with excellent project management skills.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Project Manager” skills profile.

IoT Product Managers are responsible for managing the development and launch of IoT products i.e., products comprising sensors, software, and network connectivity, that collect and exchange data across devices and computing infrastructures (e.g., cloud computing infrastructures). The duties of a typical IoT Product Manager include identifying market opportunities, conducting market research, defining product requirements, developing product roadmaps, as well as collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and launch IoT products. In most cases, IoT Product managers work with teams of engineers, designers, data scientists, and other stakeholders to ensure that the IoT product meets market needs and aligns with the company’s strategic objectives.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Product Manager” skills profile.

IoT solutions pre-sales engineers work typically with customers to understand their business needs and develop IoT solutions that meet those needs. As part of their activities, they usually work closely with sales teams to provide technical expertise and support during sales processes. They also engage in the development of proposals and presentations that demonstrate the value of IoT solutions to potential customers.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Solutions Pre-Sales Engineer” skills profile.

The role of an IoT Security Engineer is to ensure the security and privacy of IoT networking infrastructures and devices. The main duties of this role include: (i) Conducting risk assessments  to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities; (ii) Designing, specifying and implementing security policies for IoT systems; (iii) Testing and evaluating the effectiveness of security measures associated with IoT systems and networks; (iv) Collaborating with IoT application developers to ensure that IoT software is secure;  (v) Auditing the security measures of IoT systems, networks and devices; (vi) Keeping up with the state of the art in cybersecurity, while at the same time remaining up-to-date with respect to IoT security threats and trends; (vii) Collaborating with other professionals to ensure the security and resilience of their organisations.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Security Engineer” skills profile.

The role of an Industrial IoT (IIoT) Engineer focuses on the design, development, and implementation of IIoT solutions for industrial environments like manufacturing shopfloors, oil refineries, energy plants, smart buildings, transportation networks and more. Typical tasks of an IIoT engineer include: (i) Designing and implementing IIoT systems that collect and analyse data from industrial devices and networks; (ii) Designing and implementing IoT-based software solutions for industrial environments; (iv) Designing and implementing IoT-based hardware solutions for industrial environments; (v) Architecting IIoT solutions; (vi) Implementing IIoT use cases in industrial settings; and (vii) Ensuring IIoT’s systems compliances with best practices, standards and regulations.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “Industrial IoT Engineer” skills profile.

The role of an IoT Software Engineer focus on the development of software for IoT devices, systems, and applications. IoT software engineers need to know one or more programming languages covering the different software elements of the IoT stack (e.g., from devices to applications). Typical duties of an IoT Software Engineer, include: (i) Developing IoT devices software, including embedded software, firmware, and device drivers; (ii) Developing software for IoT systems, including middleware, gateways and a variety of cloud/edge computing services; (iii) Integrating third-party APIs with IoT devices and systems, as well as with other services of the cloud/edge/IoT computing continuum; (iv) Working closely with other IoT professionals (e.g., hardware engineers, data scientists, and other cross-functional teams) to develop, integrate and deploy end-to-end IoT solutions; (v) Writing software applications that analyse and visualisation IoT data, including interfaces to control operations.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Software Engineer” skills profile.

IoT back-end developers specialise in the development of the server-side or back-end infrastructure of IoT systems. The typical duties of an IoT back-end developer include designing and developing server-side architectures, designing, and developing APIs, designing, and developing databases, as well as designing and developing other components of the back-end infrastructure. An IoT back-end developer is expected to be able to develop scalable and secure server-side infrastructures, to build RESTful APIs, to implement security measures, and to integrate data analytics services and visualisation tools.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Back-End Developer” skills profile. The learning path includes common or similar courses to some of the earlier presented skills profiles that also deal with IoT systems programming and development.

An IoT Systems Architect focuses on the design and implementation of IoT systems architectures that integrate IoT devices, sensors, software, and cloud/edge computing services. To be an IoT systems architect, one must be able to work with many different technologies, including hardware, software, cloud/edge computing, security, and networking technologies. Typical duties of an IoT systems architect, include: (i) The design and implementation of end-to-end IoT system architectures; (ii) The identification and evaluation of IoT technologies that can serve the purposes and goals of an IoT system’s architecture; (iii) The design and specification of security protocols and policies for IoT systems; (iv) The development of architectures that comply to standards and applicable regulations; (v) The collaboration with other IoT professionals towards implementing end-to-end IoT solutions.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Systems Architect” skills profile.

An Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) Engineer focuses on the design and implementation of AI-based IoT solutions. As such it needs a strong understanding of both AI and IoT technologies as well as of their integration possibilities in the cloud/edge/IoT continuum. The typical duties of an AIoT Engineer include: (i) The development of AI-based software and hardware solutions for IoT systems; (ii) The development of machine learning models and algorithms for IoT systems and devices; (iii) The integration of AI technologies (e.g., ML, NLP) into IoT systems and devices; (iv) The compliance of AI-based IoT devices (e.g., AI medical devices) to applicable standards and regulations and (v) The collaboration with other IoT professionals towards integrating AIoT devices and solutions with sophisticated end-to-end IoT systems.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “AIoT Engineer” skills profile.

An Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) Engineer focuses on the design and implementation of AI-based IoT solutions. As such it needs a strong understanding of both AI and IoT technologies as well as of their integration possibilities in the cloud/edge/IoT continuum. The typical duties of an AIoT Engineer include: (i) The development of AI-based software and hardware solutions for IoT systems; (ii) The development of machine learning models and algorithms for IoT systems and devices; (iii) The integration of AI technologies (e.g., ML, NLP) into IoT systems and devices; (iv) The compliance of AI-based IoT devices (e.g., AI medical devices) to applicable standards and regulations and (v) The collaboration with other IoT professionals towards integrating AIoT devices and solutions with sophisticated end-to-end IoT systems.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “AIoT Engineer” skills profile.

An IoT Business Consultant provides advise to businesses and organisations on the strategic use of IoT technology. The activities of such a consultant aims at helping organisations to identify opportunities for IoT deployments that improve their business processes and organisational results. To this direction, IoT Business Consultant possess knowhow that helps organisations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences. Typical duties of an IoT Business Consultant, include: (i) Conducting assessments and feasibility studies to spot opportunities for IoT solutions that can lead to improved business results; (ii) Developing business cases, financial analyses, and marketing plans to support IoT investment decisions; (iii) Developing IoT strategies and roadmaps in-line with the business goals and objectives of their customers; (iv) Evaluating and comparing alternative IoT technologies and vendors against the requirements of their customers; (v) Creating roadmaps about the integration of IoT solutions with existing systems and processes, including legacy systems; (vi) Supporting customer in ensuring that their IoT solutions comply with standards and regulations.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Business Consultant” skills profile.

An IoT Marketing Manager focuses on the development and execution of marketing strategies for IoT products, solutions, and services. IoT Marketing Managers can work in different industries such as manufacturing, oil and gas, healthcare, transport, energy, smart cities and more. The typical duties of an IoT Marketing Manager include: (i) Developing and executing marketing strategies for IoT products, solutions, and services; (ii) Carrying out market research and analysis towards identify trends and customer needs; (iii) Developing marketing materials and content, including content for digital channels such as web content and social media content; (iv) Designing and executing marketing campaigns such as email marketing, advertising, and the organisation of relevant events; (v) Fostering and building relationships with stakeholders of the IoT industry, including other vendors and solution integrators; (vi) Tracking and analysing metrics of marketing and branding performance such as leads, conversions, and the Return on Investment (ROI) on the marketing budget.

The following table presents an indicative set of skills and a learning path for the “IoT Marketing Manager” skills profile.