Post job

What is an information systems engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.

Information systems engineers may work for the public or private sector in designing, implementing, and maintaining computer systems. The systems they create are used to track, process, and store data related to the activities of a business or organization.

This complex role incorporates mathematics, business management, and computer science. An information systems engineer's job is to develop and test data management systems to deal with wide arrays of phenomena, including telecommunication systems, geographical navigation systems, medicine, military operations, and many more. They might work for government agencies or business corporations.

A bachelor's degree is a minimum requirement to set out on this career path. Potential candidates also need to get certified and gain practical experience in the field to qualify for this position.

What general advice would you give to an information systems engineer?

Craig Tidwell Ph.D.Craig Tidwell Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor/Program Manager, Seminole State College of Florida

Students who are graduating with a degree in computer and information systems should focus on being lifelong learners. The most challenging, and sometimes frustrating, aspect of a career in information technology is that it is always changing. Employers are also looking for employees that can work well with others, especially in teams. Having a good understanding of the development and design process, and project management (DevOps) is a plus. Currently, there is a high demand for graduates with cloud and information security knowledge and skills.
ScoreInformation Systems EngineerUS Average
Salary
7.7

Avg. Salary $104,903

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 12.45%

Black or African American 8.64%

Hispanic or Latino 12.34%

Unknown 5.06%

White 61.20%

Gender

female 18.46%

male 81.54%

Age - 42
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 - 42
Stress level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Information systems engineer career paths

Key steps to become an information systems engineer

  1. Explore information systems engineer education requirements

    Most common information systems engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.8 %

    Associate

    17.9 %

    Master's

    12.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific information systems engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    System Security7.34%
    NIST7.08%
    RMF5.32%
    DOD4.60%
    Linux4.53%
  3. Complete relevant information systems engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information 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 information systems engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information systems engineer resumes.
  4. Gain additional information systems engineer certifications

    Information systems engineer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific information systems engineer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for information systems engineers include IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research information systems engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage PKI certifications and CAC card for users on government networks.
    • Manage the setup and configuration of multiple Cisco routers and switches for tactical command posts.
    • Manage and support VMWare infrastructure environment, IIS, SQL, SharePoint, and multiple print servers.
    • Generate and manage servers in VMWare environment.
  6. Prepare your information systems engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information 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 information 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 information systems engineer resume templates

    Build a professional information 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 information systems engineer resume.
    Information Systems Engineer Resume
    Information Systems Engineer Resume
    Information Systems Engineer Resume
    Information Systems Engineer Resume
    Information Systems Engineer Resume
    Information Systems Engineer Resume
    Information Systems Engineer Resume
    Information Systems Engineer Resume
    Information Systems Engineer Resume
  7. Apply for information systems engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an information 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 information systems engineer job

Zippi

Are you an information systems engineer?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average information systems engineer salary

The average information systems engineer salary in the United States is $104,903 per year or $50 per hour. Information systems engineer salaries range between $78,000 and $139,000 per year.

Average information systems engineer salary
$104,903 Yearly
$50.43 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do information systems engineers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Information systems engineer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Cons

Cost Of the Exam ....its too Expensive


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Cons

I don't like write a scripts.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

talking to people

Cons

outside weather, I work as a network technician and the main problem I always encounter is the cold weather.


Working as an information systems engineer? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

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.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs