Example Career: Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

Career Description

Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.

What Job Titles Computer Systems Engineers/Architects Might Have

• Electronic Data Interchange System Developer (EDI System Developer)
• System Architect
• Systems Engineer

What Computer Systems Engineers/Architects Do

• Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.
• Provide advice on project costs, design concepts, or design changes.
• Document design specifications, installation instructions, and other system-related information.
• Verify stability, interoperability, portability, security, or scalability of system architecture.
• Collaborate with engineers or software developers to select appropriate design solutions or ensure the compatibility of system components.
• Evaluate current or emerging technologies to consider factors such as cost, portability, compatibility, or usability.
• Provide technical guidance or support for the development or troubleshooting of systems.
• Identify system data, hardware, or software components required to meet user needs.
• Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems.
• Monitor system operation to detect potential problems.
• Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems.
• Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes and make recommendations regarding component use.
• Perform ongoing hardware and software maintenance operations, including installing or upgrading hardware or software.
• Configure servers to meet functional specifications.
• Develop or approve project plans, schedules, or budgets.
• Define and analyze objectives, scope, issues, or organizational impact of information systems.
• Develop system engineering, software engineering, system integration, or distributed system architectures.
• Design and conduct hardware or software tests.
• Establish functional or system standards to address operational requirements, quality requirements, and design constraints.
• Evaluate existing systems to determine effectiveness and suggest changes to meet organizational requirements.
• Research, test, or verify proper functioning of software patches and fixes.
• Communicate project information through presentations, technical reports, or white papers.
• Complete models and simulations, using manual or automated tools, to analyze or predict system performance under different operating conditions.
• Direct the installation of operating systems, network or application software, or computer or network hardware.
• Train system users in system operation or maintenance.
• Perform security analyses of developed or packaged software components.
• Develop application-specific software.

What Computer Systems Engineers/Architects Should Be Good At

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

What Computer Systems Engineers/Architects Should Be Interested In

• Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

What Computer Systems Engineers/Architects Need to Learn

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.