What does a scientific programmer analyst do?
Scientific programmer analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real scientific programmer analyst resumes:
- Conduct comparative functional assessment of simulation models written in FORTRAN code, which lead to DoD-wide adoption of assessment results.
- Manage to increase company productivity by implementing digital scanning system to replace handwriting practices while being responsible for entire SDLC process.
- Port HP-UX programs to Linux.
- Develop graphical user interfaces (GUI).
- Use SAS tools to perform data cleansing, discovery and analysis.
- Design and develop SAS and SPSS programs to manipulate and analyze data.
- Develop a GUI in ArcView to process data sets into shape files.
- Test and debug PIC/CFD simulation of astrophysical plasma in Cray and VAX/VMS Fortran.
- Utilize PL/SQL to write business processes as well as reverse engineer vendor and consultant written processes to accommodate specific business needs.
- Develop customized DB2 comparison utility program, which reduce region to region component migration time and error.
- Develop and maintain reusable reports and ETL processes to incorporate state and third-party administrator data into internal database systems.
- Create a dBase program for the scheduling of due dates for data management.
- Design a graphical representation of project using UML diagrams such as structure, behavioral and interaction diagrams.
- Participate in the development of IBM's first 'load and go' system for the VM operating system.
- Used JDBC to communicate with database.
Scientific programmer analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 29% of Scientific Programmer Analysts are proficient in Python, Linux, and MATLAB. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Creativity, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Scientific Programmer Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 29%
Programmed a basic software in Python language that parse a limited sample of tweets and categorize them under different topics.
- Linux, 14%
Created make files to compile C & FORTRAN programs in Linux and HP-UX operating environment.
- MATLAB, 12%
Developed the program in MATLAB.
- Unix, 8%
Developed an automated faculty evaluation application using SAS, UNIX and VMS scripts.
- Fortran, 7%
Programmed and maintained device drivers, graphics conversion and plot utility programs on VAX and PC in C and FORTRAN.
- SQL, 7%
Managed developers and collaborated with developers in the Richardson, TX office to maintain and support CAD data using SQL RDBMS.
Common skills that a scientific programmer analyst uses to do their job include "python," "linux," and "matlab." You can find details on the most important scientific programmer analyst responsibilities below.
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a scientific programmer analyst to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand." Scientific programmer analysts often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "attended dec clist, jcl and communication courses. "
Creativity. Many scientific programmer analyst duties rely on creativity. "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important.," so a scientific programmer analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways scientific programmer analyst responsibilities rely on creativity: "invent and successfully champion rpc framework utilizing mainframe and pc's, used to enhance and extend the erp system. "
Analytical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of scientific programmer analysts is analytical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday scientific programmer analyst duties, as "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed a gui in arcview to process data sets into shape files. "
The three companies that hire the most scientific programmer analysts are:
- Science Systems and Applications4 scientific programmer analysts jobs
- Global Science & Technology, Inc.1 scientific programmer analysts jobs
Compare different scientific programmer analysts
Scientific programmer analyst vs. Information technology consultant
An Information Technology Consultant, also known as IT Consultant, is responsible for sharing extensive knowledge of Information Technology by providing suggestions and solving issues within the company. Among the duties include installing and maintaining the necessary software and hardware, designing new procedures, overseeing all implementations, and ensuring that all systems are running smoothly, employing methods to secure databases, and providing essential instructions when needed. Furthermore, an Information Technology Consultant needs to coordinate and report to management or supervisors at all times.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a scientific programmer analyst are more likely to require skills like "python," "matlab," "fortran," and "sql." On the other hand, a job as an information technology consultant requires skills like "customer service," "database," "project management," and "cloud." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Information technology consultants tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $99,092. In contrast, scientific programmer analysts make the biggest average salary, $90,539, in the professional industry.On average, information technology consultants reach lower levels of education than scientific programmer analysts. Information technology consultants are 8.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 4.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Scientific programmer analyst vs. Technical consultant
A technical consultant is an individual who provides technical support and performs troubleshooting functions for the company's product or application. A consultant should be highly knowledgeable about the product or application so that he/she can assist users and clients with whatever issues they may be facing. A bachelor's degree is required to work as a technical consultant, particularly a degree in Computer Science or Engineering. Also, a consultant should conduct training sessions and therefore, must possess excellent communication skills.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real scientific programmer analyst resumes. While scientific programmer analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "python," "matlab," "fortran," and "sql," technical consultants use skills like "java," "database," "customer service," and "project management."
On average, technical consultants earn a higher salary than scientific programmer analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, technical consultants earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $99,121. Whereas scientific programmer analysts have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $90,539.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Technical consultants tend to reach lower levels of education than scientific programmer analysts. In fact, they're 6.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Scientific programmer analyst vs. Analyst lead
The duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials. Through the results, an analyst lead can provide advice, devise strategies for business optimization, spearhead the development of processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer recommendations on areas in need of improvement. All of this is done while in adherence to the company's vision and mission.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from scientific programmer analyst resumes include skills like "python," "matlab," "fortran," and "sql," whereas an analyst lead is more likely to list skills in "analytics," "data analysis," "project management," and "customer service. "
Analyst leads earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $110,488. Comparatively, scientific programmer analysts have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $90,539.Most analyst leads achieve a similar degree level compared to scientific programmer analysts. For example, they're 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Scientific programmer analyst vs. Analyst
Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.
Types of scientific programmer analyst
Updated January 8, 2025