What does a senior storage engineer do?
Senior storage engineers are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for developing and supervising databases, networks, and other systems that have large storage capacities. These engineers must provide and implement new customer solutions for backups and tape requirements that are based on the needs of their customers. They are required to monitor backup activities and document the resolutions that fix issues related to storage and backup for future analysis. Senior storage engineers must also work with their internal customers so that they can analyze their storage and backup requirements.
Senior storage engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior storage engineer resumes:
- Manage T3 storage connect over FC to SunFire systems.
- Create various scripts to automate tasks using VBScript and PowerShell.
- Code and manage the SMS ACS routines for correct data set allocations.
- Project manage a successful million dollar+ Hitachi USPV engagement in a timely and effective manner.
- Engage in managing SnapMirror performance management, fine-tuning.
- Design, manage and support the Citrix environment for all disaster recovery exercises.
- Configure NFS exports, create directories, quotas, on EMC ISILON.
- Allocate NAS storage - CIFS, NFS to various client applications and share volumes and Qtrees to different hosts.
- Create volume/qtree, create lun, map lun to iscsi group.
- Experience configuring CIFS and NFS protocols to publish file systems over IP to servers connect.
- Verify cluster status, system health, VPN status, checking logs using VPLEX CLI.
- Upgrade SAN OS on Cisco MDS switches from 5.0 to 6.2 and perform SAN migration between them.
- Create CIFS shares and NFS mount file systems on the data movers for application servers in production.
- Diagnose and resolve complex problems involving but not limit to servers, storage arrays, directors and switches.
- Install and configure OpenLDAP for single point user authentication and add users to the LDAP database using perl scripts.
Senior storage engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Senior Storage Engineers are proficient in Windows, Linux, and Isilon. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Storage Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Windows, 9%
Performed daily administration of Linux and windows servers.
- Linux, 7%
Upgraded Flare 25 on EMC before Contract ended at COL and also upgraded Power Path Linux Hosts.
- Isilon, 6%
Configured NFS exports, created directories, quotas, on EMC ISILON.
- Switches, 5%
Manage and monitor all EMC storage arrays and Fiber Channel switches to maintain redundancy and high availability to our production systems.
- Storage Systems, 4%
Performed data migrations across storage systems.
- Disaster Recovery, 4%
Developed high availability, disaster recovery and business continuity plans for the protection of NBC Universal's business critical systems.
Most senior storage engineers use their skills in "windows," "linux," and "isilon" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior storage engineer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior storage engineer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Senior storage engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "recommended the team with various data migration technologies and replication technologies. "
Communication skills. Many senior storage engineer duties rely on communication skills. "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers.," so a senior storage engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior storage engineer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "manage capacity planning and inter-team communications. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior storage engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday senior storage engineer duties, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "implemented emc timefinder and srdf, openreplicator, * implemented split mirror backups using emc timefinder solution for business critical applications. "
The three companies that hire the most senior storage engineers are:
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Senior storage engineer vs. Network technician
A network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior storage engineer are more likely to require skills like "windows," "isilon," "storage systems," and "nfs." On the other hand, a job as a network technician requires skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," "routers," and "lan." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Network technicians earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $74,915. On the other hand, senior storage engineers are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $117,885.The education levels that network technicians earn slightly differ from senior storage engineers. In particular, network technicians are 9.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior storage engineer. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior storage engineer vs. Network administrator
A network administrator is responsible for managing an organization's computer systems, ensuring its smooth operations and highest efficiency. Network administrators' duties include inspecting network malfunctions, troubleshooting unresponsive programs, improving system processes, analyzing client's specifications, upgrading existing applications, coordinating with the technology department, and creating a report of network issues resolutions. A network administrator should display a strong command of programming languages. Extensive knowledge in the technology industry and analytical and problem-solving skills to manage network problems immediately is also necessary.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior storage engineer responsibilities requires skills like "windows," "isilon," "storage systems," and "nfs." But a network administrator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "windows server," "troubleshoot," "network hardware," and "routers."
Network administrators may earn a lower salary than senior storage engineers, but network administrators earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $74,936. On the other hand, senior storage engineers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $117,885.In general, network administrators achieve lower levels of education than senior storage engineers. They're 8.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior storage 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
Senior storage engineer vs. Administrator
Administrators are administrative professionals who oversee the whole office or department. They manage office activities and supervise administrative functions in the office. They work the office calendar and oversee the appointment-setting process. They coordinate office events and ensure that all preparations are made and that there are no conflicting schedules. They also maintain a database of external providers of various office needs. Administrators also oversee office supplies and prepare purchase requisitions. They also manage janitorial services and other functions that are related to the maintenance of the physical office space. Administrators ensure that all fixtures and equipment in the office are functioning well and have no problems.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior storage engineer is likely to be skilled in "windows," "isilon," "switches," and "storage systems," while a typical administrator is skilled in "customer service," "data entry," "troubleshoot," and "payroll."
Administrators make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $78,798. On the other hand, senior storage engineers are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $117,885.Most administrators achieve a similar degree level compared to senior storage engineers. For example, they're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior storage engineer vs. Systems administrator
Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior storage engineers and systems administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior storage engineer might have more use for skills like "windows," "isilon," "storage systems," and "cifs." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of systems administrators require skills like "troubleshoot," "windows server," "database," and "technical support. "
In general, systems administrators earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,962. The highest-paying industry for a senior storage engineer is the finance industry.systems administrators reach lower levels of education compared to senior storage engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 6.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of senior storage engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











