Systems Engineer Job Description

Recruiters and systems engineer candidates, take note. 

 

We have put together all of the information you need to craft a systems engineer job description or create a killer resume that hiring managers will love to read.

Overall Job Outlook for Systems Engineers

With a projected growth of 24% from 2016 to 2026, the outlook for systems engineers is extraordinary. Given how fast technology is evolving, it’s no surprise that this job has such a bright future. 

 

There are positions available in any number of industries such as healthcare, government, financial services, and telecommunications. 

 

Most mid-sized companies will need a systems engineer because computer networks and equipment must be maintained. So, if working for a large corporation isn’t appealing, don’t worry.

The Basic Responsibilities and Skills

Also known as computer systems software engineers, systems engineers require at minimum a 4-year bachelor’s degree in a technical field such as IT, computer science, or programming. 

 

Some field experience is also required. Having a master’s degree is a big bonus and will provide more career advancement opportunities. 

 

Systems engineers need a strong background in how computer systems work. They are often in charge of designing and maintaining computer networks and equipment.

 

Also, they are in charge of maintaining network security to fend off any external attacks. Staying on top of the latest types of viruses and performing security patch updates is more important than ever. 

 

Testing software, checking system requirements, performing updates, and repairing hardware are all necessary skills. Strong math skills are also essential, as is the ability to prepare reports and manage hardware inventory.

 

Systems engineers often work long hours as computers and networks must always be up and running, so be prepared to be on call for any issues that arise outside of regular working hours. 

 

Soft skills, such as working with schedules and deadlines, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, multitasking, and working in a team environment, are all vital to a successful career as a systems engineer. 

 

You should also be able to manage high-pressure situations, such as system-wide outages, hackers, and ISP issues that can stop a company dead in its tracks. Being able to think fast on your feet and quickly diagnose problems will serve you well as a systems engineer.

What You’ll Earn 

As far as pay goes, systems engineers are well compensated as salaried employees. The current average wage for systems engineers is $77,520. Top earners make $121,000 per year, and entry-level systems engineers earn $57,000 per year. 

 

For hourly systems engineers, the average hourly wage is $33.48 per hour. The top hourly rate is $55 per hour, and the bottom rate is $25 per hour. 

 

This pay doesn’t take into account bonuses, profit sharing, or benefits. Bonuses range from $976 to $9,000, and profit-sharing ranges from $489 to $7,000. 

 

In 2018, the highest paying industries for systems engineers were software publishers at an average of $114,320. The lowest average was $100,080 in the computer systems design industry.

Advancement and Career Path

As far as advancement opportunities, systems engineers can move into senior systems engineer roles and then director roles where they manage other systems engineers or an entire department. 

Conclusion

Now that you know the essential skills, education requirements, salary, and advancement opportunities for systems engineers, we hope that you can take this information and use it to write a systems engineer job description that brings in the best candidates for your company. 

 

If you’re in the market for a new systems engineer job, you should have all of the information you need to craft an effective resume that will catch any recruiter’s eye.