chameleon breadline: Career in Mobile Computing and Wireless Technology

With the growing pace of communication and globalization, sources of data communication have been growing in all the sectors. Now a days, one of the fast growing spot in the stream of communication is the Wireless and Mobile Technology. The Mobile Phone Companies whether GSM or CDMA, are providing lucrative services at affordable prices to the consumers. The mobile phone companies are doing lot of research in enhancing their services to attract new customers. According to one news report, India is one of the World?s fastest growing mobile phone markets. As per? TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) figures as on April 6, 2011, there were 791.38 million mobile phone subscribers in India. India is likely to become World?s Number 1 Mobile Market by 2013 with more than a billion Mobile Users. The number of broadband connections in India has seen a continuous growth since the beginning of 2006. As on Feb 2011, the total number of broadband and Internet users in the country has reached 11.47 million, constituting 0.9% of the population. These figures and statistics of the Indian Telecommunication Industry with around 100 Mobile Phone Operators look very lucrative and obviously tremendous job opportunities are available for engineers and scientists in this stream.

Mobile and Wireless technology has become a fire wave of the future to benefit every aspect of our life including business, personal, education, medical, entertainment as well as global communication.

More than sixty percent of the world?s population has gone mobile using stylish and excellent featured handsets, computers, laptops, net books, palmtops, personal digital assistants, tablets, smart phones with GPS devices and wireless terminals. These equipments are delivered with WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G/4G services, virtual private networks and other advanced communications technologies.

The job opportunities in this stream are not restricted to the manufacturing, repair, maintenance of mobile handsets but lot of career options are available which are generally not given too much importance.

??? The career options in the wireless and mobile technologies include:

Mobile Phone System Engineer
Android, Blackberry, iPhone, Windows Mobile Applications Developer
Mobile Applications Testing Specialist
IPAD Developer
Game Developer
Mobile Architect / Mobile Software Platform Architect
Mobile Technicians
Mobile Plant Equipment Mechanic
Telecommunications Tower Installation and Maintenance Engineer
Mobile Security Expert
Mobile Phone Verification Manager
Mobile Architect
Customer Care Officer
Marketing Manager
Technical Support Engineer
KPI (Key Performance Indicator) Engineer.

Education and Qualifications for joining career in mobile technology

The stream of Mobile and Wireless Computing is specialization and expertise oriented. This stream requires candidate to possess an Engineering Degree with specialization in Mobile Computing, Wireless, Tele-communications or any other streams related specifically with Networking. In many cases, CCNACCNP could be an option.
Some of the educational qualifications required to join the stream of mobile and wireless computing are:

B.E./B.Tech. in Electronics and Communications Engineering
M.Tech. Wireless Sensor Networks
Diploma Holders in Electronics and Communications Engineering
Certificate in Mobile Technology
Certification in Wireless Networking
Associate of Science in Mobile Technology
Associate degree in Mobile Communications Technology
Bachelor?s degree in Mobile And Networks Engineering
Master?s degree in Information Technology?Mobility
Master?s degree program in Mobile Technology and Business
Learning Design and Technology Masters Program (Education)
Ph.D. with specialization in Telecommunications, Wireless Networks, Mobile Computing, Mobility, Security, Wireless Sand Networking.

The career in mobile and wireless workforce is very demanding now a days. Escalating use of wireless devices such as smart phones, notebooks, cell phones and laptops has generated motivation as well as competition to ensure these tools function effectively and securely.

Following are some of the job profiles in Wireless and Mobile Communications:
Mobile Application Developer
Technical Requirements and Job Description

In-depth knowledge and experience in HTML 5.
Strong Knowledge of Java Script, Object Oriented Java Script and Jquery
Basic understanding of Android SDK
Experience in an Innovation and Research team
Exposure to programming using J2ME, Android/IPhone application SDK?s
Understanding of Bluetooth, Wireless Data Link Layer, including WLAN, Wi-Fi and WiMAX
Research Oriented towards mobile network protocols, including GSM, 2.5G and 3G
Well aware or the latest advancements in mobile technologies and implementation
Aptitude to analyze and develop algorithms for mobile applications
Hands-on experience in the identification, discovery, evaluation and in-depth analysis of security issues of the various mobile software platforms.

Sharepoint and Mobile Expert:

Technical Requirements and Skills Required

Experience on Microsoft Share Point 2007/2010
Should be having in depth knowledge of workflows, solutions, templates, Integration of Sharepoint with other applications.
Detailed Knowledge in ASP.Net, ADO. Net, C#, SQL, Silver Light
Experience in K2 Blackpearl, Connect etc. preferred
Mobile Apps Development Skills and Research Oriented
Well versed with MOSS 2007, WSS 3.0 and Microsoft Share-Point Foundation 2010
Workflow automation using Info Path, custom web part development and document management, features development
WSS building blocks such as Features, application pages, site pages, Web Parts, custom list types, site columns, content types, custom workflows and site definitions
Info Path forms design and publishing, BDC, excel calculation services and shared services.

Mobile User Interface Designer

Experience in designing and prototyping UI is mandatory. Should be able to deliver the changing customer requirements
Should have knowledge of all emerging technologies
Should have excellent written and oral communication
Web design experience
Ability to create rapid and high-fidelity wireframes
Experience of working on mobile application design ? mobile web, iPhone, Android.

Mobile Repair Engineer

Diploma in Electronics and Communications Engineering is needed or Fresh Engineering Graduates
Sound knowledge in Basic Electronics
Thorough knowledge in mobile phone repair at component level
Good rework skill at component level like BGA, Micro BGA ICs replacement
Good knowledge in Fault Analysis and Removal techniques

Mobile Multimedia Engineer

Basic technical requirements are: Image processing and computer vision algorithms.
Coding in C/C++, Matlab Specific knowledge in the following areas is a plus: Machine learning and Pattern recognition, Optical character recognition Object detection and tracking algorithms
Additional skills: Strong programming skills, Strong communication and presentation skills.

J2ME Mobile Programmer

Experience in J2ME App development required
Familiarity with game development & design process
Knowledge of mobiles and Mobile gaming industry
Highly skilled J2ME Developer who will be responsible for developing high quality mobile games
Candidate should have experience in game development

iPhone Trainee / Android Trainee/Blackberry Trainee

Should to have excellent communication skill
Willingness to learn and take up new challenges
Candidate must have strong knowledge of C & C++ & JAVA
Interested candidates can walk in with their resume and walk out with offer!!
Should have excellent communication skill
Willingness to learn and take up new challenges
Candidate must have strong knowledge of C & C++ & JAVA
Interested candidates can walk in with their resume and walk out with offer!!

iPhone/Android Developer

Develop and maintain the iPhone application code base
Detailed knowledge of applications development on Android
Rapid prototyping and implementation of iPhone applications
Mentor and improve the team?s technical skills
Work in small, focused, engineering teams to create and develop new iPhone Apps
Experience with Objective-C/Cocoa, Xcode / Interface Builder
Expertise in creating well-defined iPhone User Interfaces
Detailed Knowledge of iPhone SDK including SQLight database
Experience working with Wireframes.

Mobile Games Programmer

Mobile games developer is responsible for developing interactive games for various mobile handsets. Mobile games are downloaded very frequently from the server and cloud service providers.
To join any organization as game developer, the candidate should be very good in programming and logic development. Moreover, the detailed knowledge of multimedia applications are required to be successful in the stream.
Candidates with Bachelor?s degree in engineering or science can join this stream.

Technical Requirements and Skills

To review game specifi-cations, technical analysis & control implementation to ensure adequate balance
To maintain, build & evolve the porting processes & systems in partnership with Technology team
Expertise in multi development programming languages C,C++, Obj C
Detailed knowledge and skills in software design and OO concepts
Good Knowledge of 20/30 Graphics engines/libraries like OPEN GL ES.

Mobile Testing Engineer

Mobile Testing & QA Team in the organization keeps track of the bugs, complaints as well as removal or existing problems. Candidates with strong knowle-dge and testing along with a passion for quality and customer satisfaction are required

Should have exposure to UI Layer Testing of VAS / Telecom domain
Must have worked on technologies like SMSC, MMSC, WAP, Mobile devices etc.
People with telecom, mobile applications and product development background are highly preferred
Should have demonstrated consistent performance during current and previous assignments and have averifiable track record of experience
Telecom testing background preferably in VAS. Must have worked on testing tools and good knowledge of scripting languages with 2 ? 6 years of experience
Domain-Mobile, Operating System -Android, Languages -Java Script, CSS, Protocols ? HTTPS Mandatory Requirement Android, Java Script, CSS, HTTPS, Project Details Browser testing, Test page creation, Browser knowledge( JS, CSS, HTTP etc).

Mobile Security and Surveillance Expert

Mobile security and surveillance professionals keep track and record each and every activity related to their network. It involves the maintenance and analysis of log files generated on regular basis as millions of customers use their network for calls and messaging.

Technical Requirements and Skills

Test and implement mobile applications
Good understanding of Android, Blackberry, iPhone technologies
Strong knowledge in some focused areas in Android like Application Components, Security
Good understanding on simulator and proxy server
End-to-end synchronized testing of Mobile Application
Knowledge of high-end mobile devices and its supported simulators
Security testing of mobile application using any tools
Preparing technical and design documents
Provide feedback on specific issues/improvement areas
Discuss the application features and functionalities
Preparing functional specification and design documents and user manuals
Review and do code walkthrough
Discuss and implement best practices on the following aspects of the application:

a. General functionality
b. User Interface
c. Quality
d. Performance
e. Security
f. Scalability
g. Reliability
h. High availability

Coordination for application testing on the following areas:

a. General functionality
b. Load / Stress testing
c. Performance testing
d. Security
e. General quality

Conduct application walkthrough
Assist in doing UAT
Take and act on the specific feedback on functionality, user interface, performance etc.
Desired Candidate Profile

1. MBA/MCA from a reputed university / institution

2. Certification from MS, is a plus point

3. 3 to 4 years in building and managing web applications using PHP and MySQL

4. 2 to 3 years in developing mobile / tablet applications, Mobile browser, WAP applications on Android, iOS etc.

5.Optional: Experience in Mobile WAP, Mobile Applications (Java based, iPhone and Blackberry), Mobile Games, and Web projects for GSM/GPRS and CDMA based Handsets

6.Knowledge of Web / Mobile Widgets, x-Commerce (B2B, B2C), x-Business Intelligence, and Enterprise Applications, DRM

7.Exposure on UI development

8.Strong knowledge of .PHP , XML, AJAX & MySQL

9.Hands on exposure to building Web services using SOA

10. Good knowledge of T SQL

The main areas currently being addressed are Surveillance Systems, Ruggedisation, Marine Systems, Communication Systems & Networks, Night Vision Devices, Mobile Surveillance Vehicle Systems and Homeland Security Systems. In this context, the position provides critical technical support to the various projects in the Mobile Surveillance Vehicle Systems domain.

Key Objectives of the Job

Development, System integration and completing customer acceptance trials for various Mobile Surveillance Vehicle Systems and related projects.

Major Deliverables

Understanding customer requirements.
Solution Architecture & Design
Assist in project costing and preparation of the technical proposals
Attending customer meetings and convincing the customer on the design
Co-ordinating with vendors/ subcontractors
Astute Project Management Skills to ensure on time completion of the project at an optimal cost while maintaining quality
Be able to ensure delivery and acceptance by the customer
Desired Candidate Profile
5 years of experience in delivering Mobile Surveillance Upgrade Projects.
Should have passion for technology and exhibit high energy to drive a team of highly motivated individuals to deliver Mobile Surveillance Solutions.
Experience in leading a team of 5-10 members.
Experience in working with multi-site cross-functional and cross-business teams.
Proven ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical staff (including vendors).
Cross-functional project execution leadership including concept discussion, program execution, prototyping, design validation, and release to production
Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicles
Vectronics
Understanding of functioning of electro mechanical system and on board power system management
Having a thorough understanding of QA & QC procedures
Sound knowledge of system integration and interoperability issues
Sound knowledge of requirements of the defence systems
Sound knowledge of EMI/ EMC requirements of defence systems
Knowledge of storage and maintenance
Confident, self-driven, with proven track record of accelerated growth in previous organizations.