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Applications & systems engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Travis Mandel Ph.D.,

Travis Mandel Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical applications & systems engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for applications & systems engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.3% of applications & systems engineer resumes contained application development as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an applications & systems engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 applications & systems engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Application Development

Here's how applications & systems engineers use application development:

Worked with application development, project management and other technical service areas to support document imaging.
Coordinate application development team activities to ensure timely deployments.

2. C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that is used to create high-performing applications. It was invented as an extension to the C language. C++ lets the programmer have a high level of domination over memory and system resources. C++ is an object-oriented language that helps you implement real-time issues based on different data functions

Here's how applications & systems engineers use c++:

Designed and developed energy trading and marketing systems and applications to automate financial decisions using technologies such as PowerBuilder and C++.
Developed software tools for simulating performance of motion-driven consumer electronics using robotics, Python, C++, and statistical analysis.

3. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how applications & systems engineers use java:

Participate in the enhancement of the application functionality using Java TestNG with Selenium WebDriver for Automation.
Analyzed existing Java, C and C# code in order to document how data is mapped in current publishing process.

4. Architecture

Here's how applications & systems engineers use architecture:

Developed customized SNMP applications over Linux platform architecture to further enhance monitoring effectiveness of network/systems monitoring processes.
Maintained system documentation relating to application architecture, assembling and technical platform.

5. Database

A database is a collection of data and information which makes it easy to view, access, and manage. Databases save a lot of time and can store huge amounts of data. Databases make sorting data easier and stores it in certain fields which narrows the searching criteria. A database usually contains tables, graphs, and columns to display data.

Here's how applications & systems engineers use database:

Upgraded software, resolved problems, monitored security, provided performance tuning and executed backups through Oracle database administration functions.
Performed data conversion and data element mapping of state legacy Medicaid system into relational database system.

6. SQL Server

Here's how applications & systems engineers use sql server:

Extracted and summarized weekly workload and tickets entered into the system for the entire front-end team using SQL Server.
Created databases, tables, stored procedures, views, jobs, and triggers using SQL Server.

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7. SDLC

Here's how applications & systems engineers use sdlc:

Lead application developer for SDLC metrics and Data Services applications.
Maintained documentation, produced SDLC artifacts, provided high-level Management and Regulatory reporting and collaborated on project management for software releases.

8. Technical Specifications

A technical specification is a document that clearly explains the specific requirements needed to get a project, product, material, or system ready for public or private use. It's the preliminary stage of any engineering or product design that must be followed to the letter because it defines the technical standard and safety measures for the product in the field of engineering design.

Here's how applications & systems engineers use technical specifications:

Analyze complex business requirements, design and provide estimates, write technical specifications to design or redesign complex web applications.
Provision technical specifications and data models necessary for product customization.

9. Windows

Windows is a chain of operating systems that controls a computer and is developed by Microsoft. Every version of Windows consists of GUI (graphical user interface), with a desktop that allows the user to open their files.

Here's how applications & systems engineers use windows:

Developed and supported multiple windows services used by many internal applications of Wells Fargo.
Repackaged legacy applications in Windows Installer format.

10. Unix

UNIX is a computer operating system that was first created in the 1960s and has been constantly updated since then. The operating system refers to the set of programs that enable a machine to function. It is a multi-user, multi-tasking device that works on computers, laptops, and servers. UNIX systems also have a graphical user interface (GUI), similar to Microsoft Windows, that makes it simple to use.

Here's how applications & systems engineers use unix:

Supported day-to-day operations of corporate UNIX servers and workstations.
Provided after sales Installation, networking and support of UNIX and NT hardware, CAD software, and Internet-based applications.

11. Web Services

A web service is software that is available on the internet and uses a specific messaging system. A web service is a kind of service that is not bound to any specific programming language or operating system. Web services help every device to communicate over the world wide web.

Here's how applications & systems engineers use web services:

Designed a web services solution for data management and orchestration integration with large data management solution.
Contract position supporting remote imaging applications and web services.

12. ETL

Here's how applications & systems engineers use etl:

Performed extract, transform and load (ETL) for converting server based DB2 to host CICS data bases.
Used SQL to test various reports and ETL Jobs load in development, testing and production.

13. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how applications & systems engineers use troubleshoot:

Worked with development teams to troubleshoot development environment, production environment, performance tuning and optimize code.
Selected and ordered required materials, generate and load software programs, provide customer training and troubleshoot software and hardware problems.

14. Linux

Linux is a Unix-like operating system. Just like Windows, Mac OS, and IOS, Linux is an operating system used by millions across the globe. Android itself is powered by the Linux operating system. Linux manages all the hardware resources that are associated with your computer. The software is famous because of the protection it grants from viruses, malware, and crashes. The Linux operating system is entirely free and is an open-source software meaning it can be altered by those equipped with the knowledge to code.

Here's how applications & systems engineers use linux:

Created comprehensive support documentation for client for IA and also for Linux server build tasks for other less experienced colleagues.
Experience in deploying application to Linux environment with Apache Tomcat on Amazon AWS cloud services.

15. Debugging

Here's how applications & systems engineers use debugging:

Oversee the maintenance, debugging and adding of new features to a suite of existing applications.
Verified, via debugging, hardware and software requirements on my test bench.

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What skills help Applications & Systems Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on applications & systems engineer resumes?

Travis Mandel Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Hawaii at Hilo

The number one thing that employers typically look for is a project that demonstrates your ability to program something new and useful. The best projects are ones that someone undertakes independently or with a small group of others - if it is the latter, you need to clarify what you contributed. It's even better if you include a link to public code on Github so that employers can look around your Github page and get a sense of your coding style. A working demo is also very impressive. Ideally, this wouldn't be something you were forced to do for a class but rather something you took the independent initiative to do.

College GPA doesn't matter as much as people think it does - most companies care much more about what you can do than how well you did in class. Unless it is extremely low, it shouldn't be a problem. Listing courses can be useful, but even better would be listing skills you learned in classes. For instance, the class "Artificial Intelligence" means completely different things at institutions. So employers may not necessarily understand what skills you learned in that class unless you highlight them.

What soft skills should all applications & systems engineers possess?

Travis Mandel Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Hawaii at Hilo

Although computer science seems like a highly technical field, soft skills are really what differentiates software engineers. One of the most important qualities of any software engineer is explaining their code clearly at various levels of technical depth and explaining why certain design decisions were made. You could write code that does amazing things, but if that code consists of snippets you pasted from StackOverflow without really fully understanding them, it will be a huge headache for anyone who needs to come into the codebase later and maintain or update it.

Another one is asking the right questions. Imagine you are dropped into a huge codebase and asked to add a new feature (very common!). There's no time to understand everything that is going on, but on the other hand, you need to understand enough of the code to do your task effectively, which involves asking questions. A failure to ask questions will likely result in you wasting a huge amount of time working on something that is ultimately not useful, for instance, re-implementing a complex function that already exists somewhere in the codebase.

What hard/technical skills are most important for applications & systems engineers?

Travis Mandel Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Hawaii at Hilo

Being comfortable with refactoring code is definitely one of the big ones here. Absolutely no one writes perfect code right off the bat - a good software engineer should recognize that and always be open and receptive to suggestions about improving their code. Even in the absence of such suggestions, a software engineer must be able to independently recognize that "the tower is about to fall over"! Meaning, if the code is turning into a real mess, a good software engineer will be able to realize that and independently begin refactoring it into a better state, even if that takes time away from implementing new features.

Another one I'll mention briefly is designing class inheritance diagrams to solve a new problem. The right structure here can allow components to be easily re-used and extended. But the wrong structure can lead to disastrous consequences, so it requires a lot of thought about how things will likely evolve in the future.

What applications & systems engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dale Dzielski MBA, CMA®, PMP®, SAFe® 4 Agilist

Program Director, Website

Enjoying your job is the most important thing for success and longevity.

Smaller businesses usually will pay more but offer the potential to move up as the company grows. Big payoffs can come if the small company that you help to grow sells off to a larger company a few years down the road. You don't have to wait years as this can happen in today's fast pass IT industry in 2-5 years.

Earn a Master's degree such as the WVU Online Master of Science in Software Engineering we offer, ranked #13 in US News, or the MS in Computer Science we offer on campus in beautiful Morgantown, West Virginia. (sorry, I had to put in a plug for our programs) If you don't have the graduate degree when you begin, start as soon as possible as most employers offer some employee benefit, paying for some or for the entire degree.

What type of skills will young applications & systems engineers need?

Dr. Ted Junseok Song

Associate Professor of Engineering, John Brown University

As it always has been, the ability to communicate with others would be a critical skill for college graduates. Additionally, it will be more necessary for professionals to work cross-culturally, as the U.S. is becoming more diverse.

What technical skills for an applications & systems engineer stand out to employers?

John Russo

Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Computer Science, Landmark College

As I mentioned above, the ability to adapt to change. My favorite course is database management systems. I tell my students that the software that we use today likely will not be around for the entire span of their careers. They really need to learn how to quickly work with new technologies, languages and systems. In the span of my career much has changed. I have always found new technologies exciting and refreshing. Employers want to hire graduates who have a set of technical skills in programming languages, database management systems and techniques (such as data mining) but also can learn on the job and be excited to learn new things.

Do you want to know more?

List of applications & systems engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an applications & systems engineer resume and required skills for an applications & systems engineer to have include:

Application Development
C++
Java
Architecture
Database
SQL Server
SDLC
Technical Specifications
Windows
Unix
Web Services
ETL
Troubleshoot
Linux
Debugging
API

Jira
Technical Support
Project Management
Jenkins
UI
DB2
HVAC
HTML
Web Application
XML
MVC
CSS
System Design
JQuery
QA
MQ

Autosys
Business Analysts
Confluence
Autocad
Code Reviews
Tomcat
Oracle Sql
C Net
J2EE
Ssis
Visio
Angular JS
Perl
WebSphere
PL/SQL
Securities

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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