The 15 most in-demand tech jobs for 2024 — and how to hire for them
Certifications: Relevant certifications for an IT director include Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).
Certifications: Relevant certifications for an IT director include Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).
Skills and experience to look for:
- Strong leadership skills along with technical knowledge
- Communication and problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of budgeting and financial management
- Understanding of security, compliance, and risk management
ERP integration manager
An ERP integration manager oversees the integration of software systems and applications in an organization, maintaining the flow of data and ensuring interoperability across the organization.
Requirements: Candidates for this role should have strong ERP knowledge, experience integrating technologies in an enterprise setting, and strong technical expertise. It’s a role that typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, business administration, or a related field, along with experience in ERP implementation and integration project management.
Certifications: Relevant certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP), Six Sigma certification scheme, Oracle SaaS ERP certifications, and SAP certifications.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Project management, data management, and problem-solving skills
- Strong technical knowledge of programming languages, databases, and integration tools such as SQL, ETL tools, and web services
- Experience working closely with vendors, third-party providers, and working with cross-functional teams for successful integrations
Big data engineer
Big data engineers are responsible for building, designing, and maintaining the tools and software required to analyze and process large data sets in the enterprise. It’s an important role for maintaining data in a business, with a focus on ensuring data tools are scalable, reliable, and secure across the organization.
Requirements: Candidates will typically need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, computer engineering, mathematics, or a related field — more senior roles may require a master’s degree. Look for experience with data processing, software development, database management, and cloud-based data processing.
Certifications: Hiring managers will also want to keep an eye out for relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Data Analytics, Cloudera Data Platform Generalist, and Google Professional Data Engineer.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Experience with multi-cloud computing, data visualization, machine learning and AI, and NoSQL
- Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, Ruby, Apache Spark, and Rust
- An understanding of automation, scripting, and enterprise architecture
Data security analyst
Data security analysts are tasked with overseeing the security of the organization’s data, assets, and information systems, protecting the organization from potential breaches, hacks, and threats.
Requirements: Candidates for this role should have a strong background in cybersecurity, data processing, security monitoring, and incident response. The role requires skills such as vulnerability assessment, security implementation, and security documentation. The role typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree in information security, computer science or a related field, along with experience in security, incident response, and with popular security tools.
Certifications: Relevant certifications for a data security analyst include Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and CompTIA Security+.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Knowledge of security tools and technologies such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, antivirus software, and vulnerability scanners
- Experience with incident response, digital forensics, risk assessment and management
- Understanding of compliance and regulations, along with security best practices
Data scientist
Data scientists are analytical data experts who use data science to discover insights from large sets of structured and unstructured data to help shape or meet business needs and goals.
Requirements: Candidates for this role should have experience analyzing data using software tools, creating visualizations that help stakeholders understand the data, and translating business needs into effective data analysis. This role typically requires an advanced degree — a master’s or Ph.D. in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or a related field, although some roles may only require a bachelor’s degree.
Certifications: Relevant certifications for this role include Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), Cloudera Data Platform Generalist, IBM Data Science Professional, and Open Certified Data Scientist.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Knowledge of programming languages such as Python or R for data manipulation
- Experience with data visualization, data wrangling, and statistical analysis
- Understanding of machine learning, database, and SQL
- Strong problem-solving skills, data analysis experience, and strong industry knowledge
DevOps engineer
DevOps engineers develop and improve IT systems and work as a go-between for development teams to ensure a flow between coding and engineering. This role is vital for improving and maintaining IT and cloud infrastructure, ultimately boosting productivity in the business. DevOps engineers must be able to deploy automated applications, maintain applications, and identify the potential risks and benefits of new software and systems.
Requirements: The role typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field as well as experience with automation, deploying infrastructure, and developing services on cloud platforms such as AWS.
Certifications: Certifications to look for include the Docker Certified Associate (DCA), Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, and Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Knowledge of coding languages, including C++, Java, Perl, Python, and Ruby
- Understanding of agile software development methodologies
- Ability to implement and work with IT automation tools such as Ansible, Chef, Puppet, and SaltStack
- Analytical, problem solving, and collaboration skills
Network security engineer
Network security engineers are tasked with deploying and maintaining corporate WAN, LAN, and server architecture. These IT pros help steer the organization on the right path with network security by enforcing corporate network security policies, ensuring overall compliance, and managing external security audits and recommendations.
Requirements: The role requires implementing and administering network security hardware and software, identifying security policies and communicating them to the organization, and an eye on emerging trends in network security technologies. The role typically requires a four-year college degree in a technology field, and candidates should have at least five years of experience with installing, monitoring, and maintaining network security solutions.
Certifications: You’ll also want to keep an eye out for candidates with security-related certifications.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Analytical skills to evaluate network security needs
- Ability to design, integrate, and install hardware and software
- Knowledge of how to maintain firewalls, risk detection systems, and other security systems
- Experience testing, monitoring, and troubleshooting network security systems
Senior web developer
A senior web developer takes the lead on designing, developing, and maintaining web applications, overseeing teams that take on the task of building these tools.
Requirements: The role requires strong technical leadership skills, knowledge of architecture and design, strong problem-solving skills, and an understanding of coding and implementation. Candidates typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, along with several years of experience in web development.
Certifications: Relevant designations for this role include Google UX Design Professional Certificate, W3Cx Professional Certificate in Front-End Web Developer, and the MIT xPro Professional Certificate in Coding: Full Stack Development.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Proficiency in programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, PHP, and Java
- Experience testing, debugging, and problem-solving web applications
- Knowledge of database management, back-end development, front-end technologies, and security best practices
- A strong portfolio with a proven track record of building complex web applications
Database developer
Database developers are responsible for developing and maintaining new servers, identifying business needs to better understand technology requirements, and troubleshooting servers. These candidates will be skilled at troubleshooting databases, understanding best practices, and identifying front-end user requirements.
Requirements: Database developers should have experience with NoSQL databases, Oracle Database, big data infrastructure, and big data engines such as Hadoop. The role typically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and three or more years of experience as a database developer or related field.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Ability to design database systems based on user requirements
- Ability to write SQL code
- Experience managing, developing, and maintaining new servers
- Knowledge of NoSQL databases, Oracle Database, big data infrastructure, Hadoop or other big data engines, the .NET framework, HTML, JavaScript, and PHP
Software engineer
Software engineers are responsible for designing and creating software programs and applications to suit business needs. It’s a role that requires cross-collaboration and communication skills, as well as the ability to work in a team environment. Software engineers are tasked with producing quality source code that is well-documented and organized, and they work closely with quality assurance to ensure software is properly tested.
Requirements: The role typically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering or a related discipline.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Programming languages, including C#, C++, and Java
- Experience with the .NET Framework
- Ability to collaborate across teams to test hardware and software integration
- Create documentation for software specifications
Network/cloud engineer
Network/cloud engineers are responsible for overseeing an organization’s network and cloud infrastructure along with developing and implementing network and cloud applications and migrating existing applications to the cloud.
Requirements: Network/cloud engineers should have experience debugging cloud stacks, securing apps in the cloud, and creating cloud-based solutions. They should also have experience with security implementation, network infrastructure, troubleshooting, analytical skills, and knowledge of SysOps, Azure, AWS, GCP, and CI/CD systems. The role also requires soft skills such as strong communication, collaboration, and client management skills. The role typically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and at least three years of experience in cloud computing.
Certifications: Keep an eye out for candidates with certifications such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Google Cloud Professional, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Experience identifying and implementing optimal cloud and network solutions
- Knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP
- Programming skills in languages such as Python, Java, and R
- Understanding of DevOps, APIs, and web services
Help desk support manager
Help desk support managers oversee a team of help desk and support technicians who provide technical assistance to clients, customers, and internal employees.
Requirements: Candidates for this role should have experience with managing teams, providing technical support, and a strong background in customer service. The role typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, or a related field, along with experience in management and help desk support.
Certifications: Relevant certifications include Google IT Support Professional Certificate, CompTIA A, and CompTIA Network+.
Skills and experience to look for:
- Leadership, teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills
- A strong knowledge and understanding of service-desk tools such as ServiceNow, Zendesk, and Jira Service Desk
- Experience working on a service desk or in a help desk role
- A background in customer service, technical support, and team management
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