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What does a senior desktop engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Galen Duree

A senior desktop engineer identifies problems within computer systems and troubleshoots technical issues. They may also be responsible for creating software images, developing software, and updating schedules. This position requires knowledge in network troubleshooting, DNA storage, and problem-solving skills.

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Senior desktop engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior desktop engineer resumes:

  • Manage packages, customer/role-base images, and McAfee Antivirus solution.
  • Manage incoming tasks and incidents in remedy and troubleshooting.
  • Implement VMWare VDI as a formal pilot
  • Resolve issues for remote computers via SMS remote control.
  • Research, troubleshoot, respond to and resolve end-user issues/problems/questions.
  • Automate and streamline reporting with PowerShell to ensure compliance during FTC audits.
  • Evaluate, test, publish and document application deployment in Citrix XenApp.
  • Complete numerous projects including laptop, desktop, and IP phone deployments.
  • Install software, patches and updates on servers and desktops using WSUS.
  • Leverage this knowledge to troubleshoot network problems with implementing BMC client management software.
  • Light use with SQL configure SA account and also database creation and SQL server setup.
  • Travel to provide on-site support where need in order to meet and/or exceed SLA's.
  • Assist in research and development efforts with desktop virtualization model; deploy vDisk image as appropriate.
  • Perform backups of Wintel, Novell, UNIX, Linux servers, using Veritas and ArcServe.
  • Streamline the reporting of implementation of package reguest from once weekly to daily using improve SMS scripting techniuqes.

Senior desktop engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Senior Desktop Engineers are proficient in SCCM, PowerShell, and Infrastructure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Senior Desktop Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • SCCM, 10%

    Developed standards and guidelines for SCCM and packaging implementation to achieve uniformity and procedural standardization for Operations Team.

  • PowerShell, 8%

    Created check scripts using PowerShell to verify footprints of success application installations in real time.

  • Infrastructure, 7%

    Maintained security infrastructure, while providing a stable environment utilizing all necessary tools, policies and documenting hospital procedures.

  • OS, 5%

    Facilitated successful global Desktop OS upgrades.

  • Group Policy, 4%

    Managed active directory administration of user accounts and group policy for corporate office.

  • Troubleshoot, 4%

    Build, maintain, pilot, and troubleshoot Active Directory group policies which affect company workstations.

Common skills that a senior desktop engineer uses to do their job include "sccm," "powershell," and "infrastructure." You can find details on the most important senior desktop engineer responsibilities below.

Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a senior desktop engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what senior desktop engineers do because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Additionally, a senior desktop engineer resume shows how senior desktop engineers use creativity: "designed, installed, and implemented ocs inventory server and automated all client updates using group policy and wsus. "

Detail oriented. Many senior desktop engineer duties rely on detail oriented. "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail.," so a senior desktop engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior desktop engineer responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "documented detailed technical changes to the infrastructure for a change control board review. "

Interpersonal skills. senior desktop engineers are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior desktop engineer responsibilities, because "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." A senior desktop engineer resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "attend leadership classes given by gulfstream to improve communication, interpersonal, customer service and management skills. "

Analytical skills. senior desktop engineer responsibilities often require "analytical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." This resume example shows what senior desktop engineers do with analytical skills on a typical day: "assist users with backup solutions, data recovery, and data encryption solutions. "

Communication skills. Another common skill required for senior desktop engineer responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of senior desktop engineers all the time, as "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." An excerpt from a real senior desktop engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a senior desktop engineer does: "repair communication between pc and sccm for hardware and software updates. "

Problem-solving skills. Lastly, "problem-solving skills" is an important element of what a senior desktop engineer does. Senior desktop engineer responsibilities require this skill because "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This resume example highlights how senior desktop engineer duties rely on this skill: "interfaced with customer support management to identify functional and technical solutions to meet business process requirements. "

Most common senior desktop engineer skills

The three companies that hire the most senior desktop engineers are:

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Compare different senior desktop engineers

Senior desktop engineer vs. Desktop/network support

A desktop/network support is responsible for assisting end-users and customers on their computer and network issues, performing troubleshooting procedures, and guiding them with the step-by-step resolution. Desktop/network supports handle system configuration and upgrades of network components to increase efficiency and optimal performance. They also identify the source of defects by asking questions and creating support tickets for the users. A desktop/network support must have excellent technical and communication skills, especially in writing resolution reports for reference to avoid the reoccurrence of system malfunctions.

The annual salary of desktop/network supports is $65,306 lower than the average salary of senior desktop engineers.Even though senior desktop engineers and desktop/network supports are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require sccm, citrix, and vmware in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior desktop engineer are more likely to require skills like "powershell," "infrastructure," "os," and "group policy." On the other hand, a job as a desktop/network support requires skills like "customer service," "customer satisfaction," "provides technical support," and "client facing." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Desktop/network supports really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $60,513. Comparatively, senior desktop engineers tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $128,829.desktop/network supports tend to reach lower levels of education than senior desktop engineers. In fact, desktop/network supports are 6.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Senior desktop engineer vs. Software engineer lead

A Software Engineer Lead is focused on developing and testing software programs. They manage a team of software engineers that design enterprise software products and operating systems.

Software engineer lead positions earn higher pay than senior desktop engineer roles. They earn a $10,779 higher salary than senior desktop engineers per year.A few skills overlap for senior desktop engineers and software engineers lead. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "os," "technical support," and "pc. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior desktop engineer responsibilities requires skills like "sccm," "powershell," "infrastructure," and "group policy." But a software engineer lead might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "software development," "aws," and "spring boot."

Software engineers lead may earn a higher salary than senior desktop engineers, but software engineers lead earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $125,218. On the other hand, senior desktop engineers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $128,829.In general, software engineers lead achieve higher levels of education than senior desktop engineers. They're 11.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior desktop engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Galen Duree

Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

People with knowledge, even introductory experience, in quantum effects, quantum computing, optics in general (communication, measurements, imaging, illumination, detection), material science and engineering, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, will be in high demand.

Senior desktop engineer vs. Engineer

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

On average scale, engineers bring in lower salaries than senior desktop engineers. In fact, they earn a $22,709 lower salary per year.By looking over several senior desktop engineers and engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "os," "troubleshoot," and "vmware." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior desktop engineer resumes include skills like "sccm," "powershell," "infrastructure," and "group policy," whereas an engineer is more likely to list skills in "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #. "

Engineers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $97,672. On the other hand, senior desktop engineers are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $128,829.engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to senior desktop engineers. Specifically, they're 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior desktop engineer vs. Technical support senior engineer

A technical support senior engineer is primarily in charge of resolving complicated issues and concerns through calls and correspondence, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. Their responsibilities include coordinating with customer support staff to gather data, studying records of initial assessments, liaising with clients to identify their needs, utilizing their expertise to develop solutions, and maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a technical support senior engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to others, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Technical support senior engineers tend to earn a lower pay than senior desktop engineers by an average of $7,357 per year.While their salaries may vary, senior desktop engineers and technical support senior engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "os," "troubleshoot," and "citrix. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "sccm," "powershell," "infrastructure," and "group policy" are skills that commonly show up on senior desktop engineer resumes. On the other hand, technical support senior engineers use skills like customer service, azure, customer satisfaction, and customer issues on their resumes.technical support senior engineers enjoy the best pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $104,548. For comparison, senior desktop engineers earn the highest salary in the finance industry.The average resume of technical support senior engineers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to senior desktop engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of senior desktop engineer

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.

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