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What is an applications & systems engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Andrea Welker Ph.D.,
John Russo

Application and systems manager are IT professionals who are responsible for managing the software applications within a business. They are not usually involved with the development of applications; instead, they figure out what specific applications and systems are needed to improve business operations, and then supervise the installation, upgrade, and daily maintenance of software applications used by an organization.

Some of the functions that they perform in this capacity include assessing business process requirements, managing system hardware and application software implementation and upgrades, troubleshooting problems with the software, and creating processes and protocols for softwares. Essential skills include analytical, problem solving, organizational, and communication. Qualifications include a bachelor's degree in business administration, computer science, information technology, or a similar discipline. Although, a master's degree may be given preference. Moreover, prior work experience is also desirable.

The average hourly salary for the position is $55.66, which equates to $115,772 annually. In this modern age where IT systems dominate the world, the career is likely to grow further and result in new opportunities emerging all over the United States.

What general advice would you give to an applications & systems engineer?

Andrea Welker Ph.D.Andrea Welker Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University

Be open to new experiences. Find a good mentor. Become a valued employee. Always remember that you are designing something for someone.
ScoreApplications & Systems EngineerUS Average
Salary
7.5

Avg. Salary $97,919

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.0

Growth rate 21%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 29.75%

Black or African American 4.65%

Hispanic or Latino 8.42%

Unknown 4.86%

White 52.15%

Gender

female 14.09%

male 85.91%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress level
4.0

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Applications & systems engineer career paths

Key steps to become an applications & systems engineer

  1. Explore applications & systems engineer education requirements

    Most common applications & systems engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.8 %

    Master's

    15.5 %

    Associate

    10.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific applications & systems engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Application Development11.31%
    C++7.79%
    Java6.52%
    Architecture5.12%
    Database5.01%
  3. Complete relevant applications & systems engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New applications & systems engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an applications & systems engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real applications & systems engineer resumes.
  4. Research applications & systems engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Used to update issue tracker and manage code using version control system git.
    • Support multiple Unix and DB2 UDB SQL scripts along with various store procedures.
    • Perform extract, transform and load (ETL) for converting server base DB2 to host CICS data bases.
    • Used MFC (VC++) and XML in development.
  5. Prepare your applications & systems engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your applications & systems engineer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an applications & systems engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable applications & systems engineer resume templates

    Build a professional applications & systems engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your applications & systems engineer resume.
    Applications & Systems Engineer Resume
    Applications & Systems Engineer Resume
    Applications & Systems Engineer Resume
    Applications & Systems Engineer Resume
    Applications & Systems Engineer Resume
    Applications & Systems Engineer Resume
    Applications & Systems Engineer Resume
    Applications & Systems Engineer Resume
    Applications & Systems Engineer Resume
  6. Apply for applications & systems engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an applications & systems engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first applications & systems engineer job

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Average applications & systems engineer salary

The average applications & systems engineer salary in the United States is $97,919 per year or $47 per hour. Applications & systems engineer salaries range between $74,000 and $129,000 per year.

Average applications & systems engineer salary
$97,919 Yearly
$47.08 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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