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Architectural engineer vs systems engineer

The differences between architectural engineers and systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an architectural engineer, becoming a systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an architectural engineer has an average salary of $105,163, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.

The top three skills for an architectural engineer include python, C++ and revit. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.

Architectural engineer vs systems engineer overview

Architectural EngineerSystems Engineer
Yearly salary$105,163$82,834
Hourly rate$50.56$39.82
Growth rate7%21%
Number of jobs54,845145,936
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4139
Years of experience62

What does an architectural engineer do?

Architectural engineers are engineering professionals who design buildings that enhance the standard of living and improve the quality of life by applying science and technology to the real world. These engineers are required to collaborate with architects to evaluate prototypes used for buildings or systems construction and provide recommendations on how to comply with codes and safety standards. They must analyst sketches, blueprints, and models to identify issues related to the environment, acoustics, and safety. Architectural engineers must also ensure that building constructions are following government regulations and acts.

What does a systems engineer do?

Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.

Architectural engineer vs systems engineer salary

Architectural engineers and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Architectural EngineerSystems Engineer
Average salary$105,163$82,834
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $157,000Between $62,000 And $109,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaThe Citadel
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between architectural engineer and systems engineer education

There are a few differences between an architectural engineer and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:

Architectural EngineerSystems Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorArchitectureElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Architectural engineer vs systems engineer demographics

Here are the differences between architectural engineers' and systems engineers' demographics:

Architectural EngineerSystems Engineer
Average age4139
Gender ratioMale, 80.7% Female, 19.3%Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 15.1% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%8%

Differences between architectural engineer and systems engineer duties and responsibilities

Architectural engineer example responsibilities.

  • Maintain the SAN, perform backups, and manage multiple databases.
  • Manage overall SaaS implementation for large scale clients, including scoping requirements, designing solutions, planning project timelines.
  • Lead application security teams in defining role base access controls to automate user provisioning.
  • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
  • Used VNC, Cygwin, SunSolaris, shell, perl, ClearCase / ClearQuest.
  • Perform on-site project consultations with HVAC and plumbing contractors to coordinate conduit path layouts.
  • Show more

Systems engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage compute clusters and all RHEL base workstations.
  • Manage and provide all PC & printer support and repair and audio visual /video conferencing equipment setup.
  • Manage and communicate requirements throughout the project life cycle, handle change management, and review QA test plans
  • Install and manage wireless Cisco/Hewlett Packard routers.
  • Manage and support installation of IIS servers hosting internal and external applications.
  • Manage enterprise level projects as a project manager using ITIL project management methodology.
  • Show more

Architectural engineer vs systems engineer skills

Common architectural engineer skills
  • Python, 13%
  • C++, 11%
  • Revit, 6%
  • Java, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • SAN, 4%
Common systems engineer skills
  • Python, 7%
  • Linux, 5%
  • C++, 5%
  • C #, 5%
  • DOD, 4%
  • Java, 4%

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