Systems Engineering Job Description - Salary, Education and Career Guide for Becoming a Systems Engineer

Systems engineering is the area of engineering that deals with the overall process of defining, developing, operating, maintaining and replacing quality systems, including:
  • aerodynamics
  • electronics
  • ergonometrics
  • mechanics
  • software.
 

Job Description

Systems engineering deals with the big picture of any system or process put in place, ensuring smooth transitions. The systems engineer is typically the liaison between management, customers, suppliers and other engineers.
 
While most professionals have one area of expertise (marketing or accounting, for instance), the systems engineer knows not only what is done in relationship to the end product, but what all the other departments do in relation to the service or product. The systems engineer sets the process for whatever is coming in the door, how it is produced, how it is marketed, how it is sold and how the paper flows.
 
A systems engineer may:
  • coordinate with other systems engineers to produce a well-functioning, efficient workflow
  • design a network service
  • develop a communications satellite
  • perform simulation of a proposed operational concept for a new product
  • work on a design project to make a medical device for research.
 
Systems engineers are also responsible for anything else that needs coordination and planning for proper and efficient integrated workflow.
 
Conditions vary for systems engineers, depending on where they work. There may be a lot of travel, consultation and interacting with other businesses and engineers. Conversely, the systems engineer may work independently in a small office for a minor organization that wants to keep its costs low and become more efficient as technology changes. In either case, interaction with other departments and with customers, vendors and other engineers is important.

Salary Guide

As in any industry, salaries vary widely depending on the education and experience of the systems engineer and the location and nature of the job. The lowest salary as a system engineer is in the school arena; starting at $43,000. The highest-paid system engineer works as a contractor, with a starting pay of about $66,000. The highest pay occurs in the area around Washington, D.C., and the lowest shows up in Atlanta.

Education and Training

A degree is preferred but not required to be a systems engineer. A systems engineer should have a bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering, or the equivalent in work experience.
 
Systems engineers should also have skills in:
  • creative problem solving
  • critical thinking
  • leadership
  • math
  • organization and efficiency
  • time management.
 
They should have a certain drive for improvement, an aptitude for systems thinking, technical competency and ethical work habits. They must have the ability to adapt to many environments, wear many hats and interact with a diverse group of individuals.

Prior Work Experience

Most help-wanted ads for systems engineers ask for a minimum of five years' experience deploying software solutions. Other valued skills include knowledge of technical software and a demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
 
Employers also want systems engineers with experience in supply chain, order management and sales operations. An applicant who can see the big picture and can demonstrate experience in organizing the flow is highly desired.
 
In the past, an engineer would not rise to the position of systems engineer until after 30 years of learning the ropes and gaining experience. Now, experienced systems engineers have been writing books and teaching college classes in systems engineering, cutting training time in half, or even a third. This is a relatively new area of study, and many colleges and universities are offering major studies in systems engineering.

Career Advancement

A systems engineer typically is qualified to be a senior systems engineer after about five years of systems engineering work. The general requirements for direct hiring are at least five years' direct technical experience in systems engineering with experience in distributed systems, programming, database implementation and very specific experience in the chosen industry.
 
The candidate must have proven experience and the ability to deliver end-to-end systems under pressure and tight deadlines. The applicant must show experience in prototyping and flexibility when faced with complex challenges and problem solving, and should have a good track record of finished and successful projects.
 
Systems engineers may aspire to advance to quality systems engineer. A quality systems engineer is certified and runs the final quality check after the systems engineer has manufactured a product.

Related Associations and Groups

Depending on the industry in which systems engineers work, many groups and organizations cater to their specialties. They include:
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • International Council on Systems Engineering
  • National Association of Communication Systems Engineers.
 
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