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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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21311.02 – Network system and data communication engineers

Network system and data communication engineers research, plan, design, develop, modify, evaluate and integrate information and communication system networks including mainframe systems, local and wide area networks, fibre-optic networks, wireless communication networks, intranets, the Internet and other data communications systems.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Hardware circuit board designer
  • Network support engineer
  • Network test engineer
  • Wireless communications network engineer

Core competencies

  • Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving to research, plan, design, develop, modify and evaluate information and communication system networks
  • Digital Production and Digital Literacy to research, design and develop information and communication system network architecture to optimize performance
  • Categorization Flexibility and Information Ordering to systematically design, evaluate and integrate complex systems, ensure efficient troubleshooting, optimal performance and reliable communication
  • Fluency of Ideas to generate multiple solutions to complex problems, innovate new technologies and efficiently address network issues
  • Attention to Detail to ensure accurate design, configuration and maintenance of complex systems to prevent errors, security breaches and downtime
  • Knowledge in Computer, Technology and Information Systems to understand network system and data communication hardware and software to evaluate network capacity and develop new network systems

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Research, design and develop information and communication system network architecture
  • Research, evaluate and integrate network system and data communication hardware and software
  • Assess, document and optimize the capacity and performance of information and communication system networks
  • May lead and coordinate teams of design professionals in the development and integration of information and communication system architecture, hardware and software.

Additional information

  • Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
  • Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Computer and information systems managers (20012)
  • Computer systems developers and programmers (21230)
  • Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
  • Engineering managers (20010)
  • Software engineers and designers (21231)
  • Web designers (21233)
  • Web developers and programmers (21234)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

21 – Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences

Sub-major group

213 – Professional occupations in engineering

Minor group

2131 – Electrical, electronics and computer engineers

Unit group

21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

Occupational profile

21311.02 – Network system and data communication engineers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.