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The differences between lead systems engineers and software systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a lead systems engineer, becoming a software systems engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a lead systems engineer has an average salary of $119,705, which is higher than the $107,102 average annual salary of a software systems engineer.
The top three skills for a lead systems engineer include systems engineering, architecture and infrastructure. The most important skills for a software systems engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Lead Systems Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $119,705 | $107,102 |
| Hourly rate | $57.55 | $51.49 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 186,392 | 370,518 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A lead systems engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the systems infrastructure and improving the stability of the operating systems to support business operations. Lead systems engineers install and upgrade software applications and ensure that the technical strategies meet the quality standards and business requirements. They also enhance the performance of the existing systems, configuring features for optimization. A lead systems engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in supporting the end-users with technical failures and identifying accurate resolutions.
A software systems engineer is responsible for designing and creating software systems applications and programs according to clients' specifications or business' needs. They work to improve the features of existing applications to boost efficiency and optimal performance. Software systems engineers manage systems configuration and structural development to develop high-quality outputs and deliverables. They also run multiple diagnostic tests to ensure smooth navigations and server transitions and identify efficient technical solutions. A software systems engineer assists the end-users with application issues, performing troubleshooting operations, and creating resolution reports for reference.
Lead systems engineers and software systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Systems Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $119,705 | $107,102 |
| Salary range | Between $90,000 And $158,000 | Between $80,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a lead systems engineer and a software systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Systems Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between lead systems engineers' and software systems engineers' demographics:
| Lead Systems Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.1% Female, 11.9% | Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 12.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |