What Does a Technical Consultant Do?

Technical consultants are subject matter experts who work with clients to solve problems, create new products or services, and implement new technologies. They may be called upon to provide training or coaching on how to use a product or service as well as answer questions about its features and functionality.

Technical consultants often work for consulting firms that specialize in specific industries or areas of expertise. However, they may also work directly for companies that need help implementing new technology or updating existing systems.

Technical Consultant Job Duties

A technical consultant typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Conducting research to identify market trends and opportunities for new products or services
• Designing and implementing information technology solutions such as networks or databases to meet clients’ needs
• Working with management to develop long-term strategic plans that incorporate technology use
• Managing projects from start to finish, including planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and evaluating work efforts
• Consulting with clients to determine their needs and goals and recommend appropriate solutions
• Providing advice about hardware and software products to customers
• Creating reports about findings and recommendations for clients who have hired them for consultancy services
• Explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences in layman’s terms
• Preparing proposals for clients outlining the scope of work that will be done and the costs involved

Technical Consultant Salary & Outlook

Technical consultants’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the company size and industry. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses or commissions.

• Median Annual Salary: $105,000 ($50.48/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $152,000 ($73.08/hour)

The employment of technical consultants is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for consulting services will stem from the need to reduce costs and improve efficiency in a variety of industries. Organizations will continue to hire consultants to help them streamline operations, increase productivity, and reduce costs.

Related: Technical Consultant Interview Questions and Answers

Technical Consultant Job Requirements

A technical consultant typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Technical consultants are typically required to have a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field, such as computer science, information technology or software engineering. Some employers may hire candidates with degrees in other disciplines, such as business or engineering, if they have relevant work experience.

Training & Experience: Technical consultants typically receive on-the-job training from their new employer. This training may include learning the company’s systems and procedures, as well as the software and hardware they use. Training may also include learning about the company’s clients and how to interact with them.

Certifications & Licenses: Though certifications are not required for most technical consultants, they can offer valuable proof of a candidate’s skills and qualifications for prospective employers.

Technical Consultant Skills

Technical consultants need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication skills: Technical consultants communicate with many different people throughout their workday. They may communicate with clients, other consultants, engineers, managers and other employees. Effective communication skills can help you to convey your ideas and messages to others and to understand what others are saying to you.

Technical knowledge: Technical knowledge is the ability to understand and apply technology. As a technical consultant, you may be asked to provide advice on the best software or hardware for a client’s needs. You may also be asked to provide guidance on how to use certain software or hardware. Having a strong technical background can help you provide the best solutions for your clients.

Problem-solving skills: Problem-solving skills are essential for technical consultants because they often work with clients to identify and solve technical issues. You can use your problem-solving skills to identify the source of a problem, develop solutions and evaluate the success of those solutions.

Time management skills: Time management skills are important for technical consultants because they often have multiple projects going on at the same time. You may have to meet with clients, attend meetings, complete research and write reports, so it’s important to be able to manage your time effectively.

Leadership skills: Leadership skills can help you become a more effective technical consultant. You may use your leadership skills to help clients and colleagues work together to find solutions to technical problems. You can also use leadership skills to motivate clients to take action and complete tasks.

Technical Consultant Work Environment

Technical consultants work in a variety of settings, including office buildings, factories, and research and development laboratories. They may also travel to client sites. They typically work a standard 40-hour week, but they may have to work overtime to meet deadlines or to solve problems that arise during a project. Technical consultants usually work on teams with other consultants and with the client’s staff. They may also work independently on small projects. The work can be stressful at times, but most technical consultants find it to be challenging and stimulating.

Technical Consultant Trends

Here are three trends influencing how technical consultants work. Technical consultants will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Technical Talent

The need for more technical talent is a trend that is being felt across all industries, as businesses are increasingly relying on technology to run their operations. This has led to an increased demand for technical consultants who can help businesses implement and maintain their technology systems.

As the need for more technical talent grows, technical consultants will be in high demand, as they are able to provide the expertise needed to help businesses stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. In order to take advantage of this trend, technical consultants should focus on developing strong relationships with clients and becoming experts in their field.

More Focus on Digital Transformation

As businesses continue to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape, they are placing increasing emphasis on digital transformation. This means that technical consultants will need to have a deep understanding of how to integrate technology into business processes.

Technical consultants who are able to understand the needs of businesses and help them to achieve success through digital transformation will be in high demand in the years to come. By staying up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in technology, they will be well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.

Cloud Computing Becomes More Mainstream

Cloud computing is becoming more mainstream as businesses realize the benefits of moving their data and applications to the cloud. This trend is creating opportunities for technical consultants who can help businesses move to the cloud and manage their cloud services.

As cloud computing becomes more popular, technical consultants will need to be familiar with the different cloud providers and the services they offer. They will also need to be able to help businesses migrate their data to the cloud and set up and manage cloud services.

How to Become a Technical Consultant

A career as a technical consultant can be very rewarding. It offers the opportunity to work with a variety of technologies and industries, and to help businesses solve complex problems. As a technical consultant, you’ll need to have a deep understanding of technology and business processes, as well as strong communication skills.

To become a successful technical consultant, it’s important to build your network and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in technology. You should also be prepared to travel when necessary, as many consulting assignments require traveling to meet with clients.

Advancement Prospects

Technical consultants typically have a college degree in computer science or a related field. They also have strong computer skills and are familiar with a variety of software applications. Many technical consultants start their careers as technical support specialists or customer service representatives. With experience, they move into positions such as technical sales, technical writing, or software development. Some technical consultants become independent consultants, working as contractors for various companies.

As companies increasingly rely on technology, the demand for technical consultants is expected to grow. Technical consultants with strong computer skills and up-to-date knowledge of the latest technology trends should have the best job prospects.

Technical Consultant Job Description Example

As a technical consultant at [CompanyX], you will be the bridge between our clients and our engineering team, responsible for understanding the client’s needs and communicating them to the engineering team. You will also be responsible for understanding the engineering team’s capabilities and limitations and communicating those to the client. In this role, you will need to wear many hats, from project manager to business analyst to product owner, and you will need to be comfortable with ambiguity and change. The ideal candidate for this role will have a background in engineering, project management, and consulting.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Engage with clients to understand their business needs and objectives
• Develop a deep understanding of our products and services, and how they can be applied to solve customer problems
• Design technical solutions that meet customer requirements and map to our product capabilities
• Write detailed functional and technical specifications for customizations, integrations, and data migrations
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for assigned projects, providing expert guidance and direction to project teams
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and tasks, prioritizing work to meet deadlines
• Conduct quality assurance testing of customizations, integrations, and data migrations prior to delivery
• Train customers on the use of our products and customizations, and provide ongoing support as needed
• Stay up-to-date on new product features and releases, and proactively share information with customers and team members
• Provide feedback to Product Management on customer needs and pain points, and participate in beta testing of new features
• Represent the company at industry events and trade shows, and contribute to thought leadership content
• Maintain current knowledge of competitor products and services

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years professional work experience in IT, including 3+ years in a consulting role
• Experience with multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux, etc.), databases (SQL, Oracle, etc.), and programming languages (Java, C++, etc.)
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to travel up to 50%

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science or related field
• 7+ years professional work experience in IT, including 5+ years in a consulting role
• Industry-specific certifications (MCSE, CCNA, etc.)
• Fluency in more than one language