What does a senior operations engineer do?
Senior operations engineers are engineering professionals who ensure that the operations of an organization are working properly and meet both factory and management specifications. These engineers are required to create maintenance procedures that are adaptable to the existing maintenance management software for the newly installed facilities and equipment. They must provide technical support to the organization's operations, such as project design, plant optimization, project management, and startup. Senior operations engineers must also implement effective process improvements so that they can increase productivity and reduce production costs.
Senior operations engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior operations engineer resumes:
- Manage git and subversion repositories.
- Used AWS as to maintain model and manage the entire application.
- Accomplish tasks of client SCM team and work on the migration of existing code repository from Clearcase multisite to TFS.
- Lead efforts to develop RedHat Linux installation templates and implement security hardening.
- Manage TCP/IP setup network communications, network cabling and troubleshooting all network connectivity issues.
- Accomplish responsibility to configure, administer and support new infrastructure solutions on Microsoft platforms to meet enterprise level requirements.
- Create TFS build definitions for windows service projects.
- Build baseline and migration maintenance tools using Perl, shell and Java programs to extend the functionality.
- Support and troubleshoot other infrastructure components including internal and external DNS, email servers and, LDAP authentication.
- Create batch scripts to streamline Unix deployment process.
- Host sub domain management, and DNS pointing.
- Support NDX production SAVVIS (CenturyLink) cloud presence.
- Used python for automating collecting the server agent logs.
- Maintain JIRA for tracking and updating project defects and tasks.
- Assist in migrating the existing data center into the AWS environment.
Senior operations engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Senior Operations Engineers are proficient in Python, AWS, and Cloud. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Operations Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 12%
Designed and Developed automation test scripts using Python.
- AWS, 6%
Define, design, implement, test, deploy, and maintain Data Center automation infrastructure in AWS Cloud.
- Cloud, 5%
Build out and manage multiple windows server2008 and video streamers in a cloud based infrastructure to support our enterprise software solution.
- Linux, 5%
Configure, deploy and monitor infrastructure of production java applications running in a Linux environment.
- Docker, 5%
Worked on Docker container snapshots, attaching to a running container, image managing, directory structures.
- DevOps, 4%
Deployed DevOps using Puppet, Dashboard, and Puppet DB for configuration management to existing infrastructure.
Most senior operations engineers use their skills in "python," "aws," and "cloud" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior operations engineer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior operations engineer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what senior operations engineers do because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a senior operations engineer resume shows how senior operations engineers use analytical skills: "designed and implemented predictive analytic models based on sales and rental data for drilling tools using python. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior operations engineer duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." According to a senior operations engineer resume, here's how senior operations engineers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "bridge communications between development, devops and users. "
Problem-solving skills. senior operations engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior operations engineer responsibilities, because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." A senior operations engineer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "installed and configured jenkins for automating deployments and providing a complete automation solution. "
The three companies that hire the most senior operations engineers are:
- USAA41 senior operations engineers jobs
- Deloitte36 senior operations engineers jobs
- Glaxosmithkline13 senior operations engineers jobs
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Compare different senior operations engineers
Senior operations engineer vs. Principal software engineer
A Principal Software Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of an organization's projects. They diagnose, document, and troubleshoot systems to resolve problems identified through testing, as well as implement strategies to improve integration and efficiency.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior operations engineer are more likely to require skills like "cloud," "docker," "devops," and "project management." On the other hand, a job as a principal software engineer requires skills like "software development," "object oriented programming," "javascript," and "scrum." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Principal software engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the retail industry, with an average yearly salary of $154,293. On the other hand, senior operations engineers are paid more in the start-up industry with an average salary of $120,362.On average, principal software engineers reach higher levels of education than senior operations engineers. Principal software engineers are 8.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior operations engineer vs. Principal systems engineer
A Principal Systems Engineer supervises a group of other engineers in technical projects. They develop and lead systems engineering projects and efforts.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior operations engineer responsibilities requires skills like "python," "aws," "cloud," and "docker." But a principal systems engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "systems engineering," "dod," "rf," and "system design."
Principal systems engineers may earn a higher salary than senior operations engineers, but principal systems engineers earn the most pay in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $134,626. On the other hand, senior operations engineers receive higher pay in the start-up industry, where they earn an average salary of $120,362.In general, principal systems engineers achieve higher levels of education than senior operations engineers. They're 6.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior operations 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.
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 operations engineer resumes include skills like "docker," "devops," "database," and "configuration management," whereas an engineer is more likely to list skills in "c #," "javascript," "windows," and "api. "
Engineers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $97,672. On the other hand, senior operations engineers are paid the highest salary in the start-up industry, with average annual pay of $120,362.engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to senior operations engineers. Specifically, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior operations engineer vs. Network security engineer
A network security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all the organization's network systems, conducting regular configuration and maintenance to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities that may pose risks for the company's integrity. Network security engineers manage security threats and strategize resolutions to mitigate the reoccurrence of security issues. They also develop security enhancement recommendations, update network infrastructure, and monitor system activities. A network security engineer should have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
Types of senior operations engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
