How to hire a computer systems designer

How to hire a computer systems designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step computer systems designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a computer systems designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new computer systems designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a computer systems designer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A computer systems designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, computer systems designers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents computer systems designer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Computer Systems Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Computer Systems Designer	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$26-47
   Network Engineer	A network engineer is responsible for managing a network system, monitoring its performance, and upgrading its features to optimize performance and boost efficiency. Network engineers also create new systems, designing them based on clients' specifications and business needs... Show more	$29-53
   Network Manager	A network manager is responsible for monitoring the efficient network connection of the company's technology systems, analyzing system designs, and overseeing installation processes and programs. Network managers inspect the efficiency of existing network management systems, upgrading network data to boost optimal performance and communication transportation... Show more	$34-63

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • SQL Server
   • Control Systems
   • PC

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage & monitor database servers and perform weekly/monthly data backup schedules and recovery strategies.
   • Install various PC hardware and software, and modify system configurations.
   • Space Command.Support include installing and configuring new PC's, printers and local area network.
   • Co-Design industry leading client/server customer service environment utilizing Hewlett Packard risc-base technologies and UNIX operating system.
   • Perform system verification, validation, and provide technical support to operators for RF digital/analog systems.
   • Research, evaluate, design, and implement system changes to decommission obsolete mainframe and client-server applications without impacting other systems.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your computer systems designer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A computer systems designer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, computer systems designers' average salary in arkansas is 40% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level computer systems designers earn 44% less than senior-level computer systems designers.
   • Certifications. A computer systems designer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a computer systems designer's salary.

   Average computer systems designer salary

   $73,711yearly

   $35.44 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level computer systems designer salary

   $55,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a computer systems designer job description

   A job description for a computer systems designer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a computer systems designer job description:

   Computer systems designer job description example

   COVID\-19 continues to significantly impact our employees, families and communities\. With employee health and safety as our top priority, and as a federal contractor, Lockheed Martin is taking action to address the increased risk and uncertainty COVID\-19 variants pose in the workplace and ensuring we meet our commitments to national security\.
   
   To uphold safety for all employees, we will continue to request vaccination status for all Lockheed Martin employees including new hires\. All current and newly hired employees are required to follow onsite safety measures based upon the COVID\-19 Community Level at the specific work location\.
   
   **Description:** **The coolest jobs on this planet... or any other... are with Lockheed Martin Space\.** Lockheed Martin is a pioneer, partner, innovator and builder\. Our amazing people are on a mission to make a difference in the world and every single day we use our skills and experiences to create, design and build solutions to some of the worlds' hardest engineering problems\. **Do you want to join a team where employees envision the impossible, perform with excellence and build incredible products?** We are creating a better today and tomorrow by seamlessly aligning diversity and inclusion efforts with Lockheed Martin's values and business strategy\. We offer business resource groups such as African American Council for Excellence \(AACE\), The Women's Impact Network \(WIN\), Hispanic Organization for Leadership & Awareness \(HOLA\), Military/Veterans Network, PRIDE LGBT Professional Network, and more\. We are also committed to enabling transitioning veterans to connect with their communities and find new purpose as they reintegrate into civilian life\. By clicking on the links, you can find out more on how we proudly support Global Diversity and Hiring Our Heroes \.
   **Summary of Key Duties for this position:**
   
   • Researches, designs, develops, documents, tests, and troubleshoots a variety of electronic equipment and systems, including Windows and Linux based computer systems; IP networks; telecommunications equipment and systems; circuitry components; and closed circuit camera systems\.
   
   • Performs the design, installation, configuration, and administration, of software, servers, operating systems, and networking equipment\. Performs cybersecurity duties on computer and networked systems, including Patching and Scanning; continuous monitoring; audit log file reviews; software and hardware upgrades; and maintaining Information Assurance compliance\.
   
   • Reads, creates, and updates drawings that document a system's schematics, wiring, cabling, connections, configurations, physical construction, and facility layout\.
   
   **Benefits of Employment:**
   
   Lockheed Martin Space offers a total compensation package from competitive wages, on\-site medical care and healthy living incentives\! Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy:
   
   • Medical
   
   • Dental
   
   • 401k
   
   • Paid time off
   
   • Work/life balance
   
   • Career development
   
   • Mentorship opportunities
   
   • Rewards & recognition
   
   Click here to learn more about Lockheed Martin's competitive edge\.
   
   We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment\. Please contact us to request accommodation\.
   
   **Lockheed Martin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer\.** All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status\.
   
   \#SpaceVets \#ATLO
   
   **Basic Qualifications:**
   
   • Bachelors degree in a Computer or Information Science discipline\.
   
   • Experience in computer system design, including software and hardware\.
   
   • **Ability to obtain Top Secret w/Poly clearance**
   
   **Desired Skills:**
   
   • Experienced with the design, installation, configuration, commissioning, administration, operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, backup, recovery, and service restoration, of the following:
   
   • Operating systems, Windows client/server, Domain Controllers, VMware virtual environment \(including Horizon\), Storage Area Networks, and SQL Server\.
   
   • Updating/configuration/monitoring utilities such as Windows Server Update Service \(WSUS\), Microsoft SMS, Windows Active Directory, PsInfo, WhatsUp Gold, Splunk, and Nessus\.
   
   • IP networking, including design, configuration, installation, and troubleshooting of Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, VLANs, VPN, and protocols such as EIGRP, OSPF, ISE, RADIUS, TACACS\+; IPsec, and MACsec\.
   
   • IT/IP\-based systems such as electronic security systems, CCTV systems, audio\-visual systems, and video wall systems\.
   
   • AutoCAD, Visio, or other drawing/documentation programs\.
   
   • Security\+ \(or higher\), CCNA \(or higher\), MS Windows System Administration certifications
   
   • 2 years of experience in computer system design, including software and hardware\.
   
   **BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:**
   
   job\.Qualifications
   
   **Lockheed Martin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer\. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status\.**
   
   Join us at Lockheed Martin, where your mission is ours\. Our customers tackle the hardest missions\. Those that demand extraordinary amounts of courage, resilience and precision\. They're dangerous\. Critical\. Sometimes they even provide an opportunity to change the world and save lives\. Those are the missions we care about\.
   
   As a leading technology innovation company, Lockheed Martin's vast team works with partners around the world to bring proven performance to our customers' toughest challenges\. Lockheed Martin has employees based in many states throughout the U\.S\., and Internationally, with business locations in many nations and territories\.
   
   **EXPERIENCE LEVEL:**
   
   Experienced Professional

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find computer systems designers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any computer systems designers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level computer systems designers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   To find computer systems designer candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit computer systems designers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview computer systems designer candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new computer systems designer

   Once you've decided on a perfect computer systems designer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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