What does a digital systems engineer do?
A Digital Systems Engineer's job is to manage and monitor an organization's computer infrastructure and systems. They install, configure, test, and maintain all application software, system management tools, and operating systems. They are responsible for providing guidelines about security measures, user interface, and system capabilities. Other duties that they will perform include evaluating existing systems for efficiency and effectiveness, providing recommendations for scalability, and troubleshooting any system errors and problems that may arise.
Digital systems engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real digital systems engineer resumes:
- Lead UMTS RF engine solutions, development debug, integration, and testing.
- Manage UMTS RF engine team to generate boundary requirements for DRP core mean to attach with UMTS modems.
- Project manage large agreement, providing significant broadband solutions to a large business entity.
- Develop Perl scripts to automate object model and functional mapping into the application metadata and database.
- Implement DSP and digital communications components using VHDL.
- Work closely with firmware and ASIC engineers to test, debug and verify RTL and system issues.
- Convert Matlab code to Verilog.
- Involve Verilog and VHDL code.
- Used Modelsim for the RTL simulation.
- Programme in HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript.
- Edit HTML to test Tealium utag file.
- Comapare RTL output to the expected outfile.
- Edit Javascript and JQuery in Tealium to track visitor interactions, i.e.
- Design, coding, synthesis and testing of VHDL for programmable logic devices.
- Used MATLAB to interpret data and create test vectors for use in FPGA verification.
Digital systems engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Digital Systems Engineers are proficient in RF, MATLAB, and Java. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Digital Systems Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- RF, 15%
Managed UMTS RF engine team to generate boundary requirements for DRP core meant to attach with UMTS modems.
- MATLAB, 11%
Programmed digital circuits using C, PBASIC and VHDL and performed simulation using MATLAB and OrCAD
- Java, 10%
Transformed usability designs into actionable development specifications and test plans for UI fundamentals, Java widgets and operator-specific cell phone applications.
- JavaScript, 7%
Programmed in HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript.
- Digital Systems, 5%
Performed emergency troubleshooting on all digital systems machines to minimize production downtime.
- FPGA, 5%
Executed HW V&V plan including signal integrity, FPGA functional testing, SW integration, and power supply interfacing.
Most digital systems engineers use their skills in "rf," "matlab," and "java" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential digital systems engineer responsibilities here:
Concentration. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a digital systems engineer to have is concentration. Their role and responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products." Digital systems engineers often use concentration in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed all dcs point configuration and graphics building for the fccu and gas concentration units. "
Initiative. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling digital systems engineer duties is initiative. The role rewards competence in this skill because "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." According to a digital systems engineer resume, here's how digital systems engineers can utilize initiative in their job responsibilities: "led a johnson & johnson corporate-wide initiative to implement matlab on a high performance computing (hpc, supercomputer) cluster. "
Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of digital systems engineers is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday digital systems engineer duties, as "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "created and implemented lucene java tests to establish optimal apache lucene system parameters; presented these results to developers and management. "
Writing skills. For certain digital systems engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of a digital systems engineer rely on this skill, as "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what digital systems engineers do: "core java has been used for writing queries, data sets, connection making and business logic. "
Interpersonal skills. Another crucial skill for a digital systems engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." A big part of what digital systems engineers relies on this skill, since "electrical and electronics engineers must work with others during the manufacturing process to ensure that their plans are implemented correctly." How this skill relates to digital systems engineer duties can be seen in an example from a digital systems engineer resume snippet: "team player with professional work ethic, positive attitude, and good interpersonal skills. "
Math skills. Another skill commonly found on digital systems engineer job descriptions is "math skills." It can come up quite often in digital systems engineer duties, since "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day digital systems engineer responsibilities: "participated in an activity based costing study for the dod, gathering and analyzing statistics from 18 u.s. military sites. "
The three companies that hire the most digital systems engineers are:
- Deloitte32 digital systems engineers jobs
- Rincon Research18 digital systems engineers jobs
- Peraton18 digital systems engineers jobs
Compare different digital systems engineers
Digital systems engineer vs. Senior pcb designer
Controls designers both design and draft systems of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical controls for equipment and machines. The designers make diagrams of the logic system for timing and sequence control. They illustrate and describe details for installation and maintenance, such as bearing lubrication and lubrication types. It is part of their job to review schematics with the representatives of customers to answer questions during robot system installation. Also, they may design energy conversion controls.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a digital systems engineer are more likely to require skills like "matlab," "java," "javascript," and "digital systems." On the other hand, a job as a senior pcb designer requires skills like "schematic capture," "pcb layout," "analog," and "mentor graphics." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, senior pcb designers reach lower levels of education than digital systems engineers. Senior pcb designers are 10.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Digital systems engineer vs. Controls designer
An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research. They also identify cost-efficient materials and resources that meet quality standards and client specifications. An engineering trainee must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports, attending meetings, and ensuring that all reports are submitted for management's reviews, such as contracts from suppliers and vendors.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real digital systems engineer resumes. While digital systems engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "rf," "java," "digital systems," and "troubleshoot," controls designers use skills like "plc," "control panels," "ids," and "auto cad."
Controls designers may earn a lower salary than digital systems engineers, but controls designers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $88,405. On the other hand, digital systems engineers receive higher pay in the telecommunication industry, where they earn an average salary of $107,638.controls designers earn similar levels of education than digital systems engineers in general. They're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Digital systems engineer vs. Engineering trainee
A telecommunication engineer is responsible for installing, testing, and repairing telecommunication systems including mobile telephone networks and fiber optic and digital satellite systems. Your day-to-day duties include diagnosing and troubleshooting systems faults, installing static and mobile antennae on masts and buildings, and designing, developing, and testing telecommunications equipment and components. As a telecommunication engineer, you are also required to provide guidance and support to telecommunication installers to ensure quality. You are also responsible for providing recommendations to upgrade outdated equipment.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, digital systems engineers are more likely to have skills like "java," "digital systems," "fpga," and "troubleshoot." But a engineering trainee is more likely to have skills like "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "technical support," and "r."
Engineering trainees earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $63,253. Digital systems engineers earn the highest pay from the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $107,638.Most engineering trainees achieve a similar degree level compared to digital systems engineers. For example, they're 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Digital systems engineer vs. Telecommunication engineer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between digital systems engineers and telecommunication engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a digital systems engineer might have more use for skills like "matlab," "java," "javascript," and "digital systems." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of telecommunication engineers require skills like "telecommunication," "voip," "fiber optic," and "project management. "
Telecommunication engineers enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $102,087. For comparison, digital systems engineers earn the highest salary in the telecommunication industry.telecommunication engineers reach similar levels of education compared to digital systems engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of digital systems engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
