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Server engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Austin McCoy,

Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical server engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for server engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 10.4% of server engineer resumes contained windows server as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a server engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 server engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Windows Server

Here's how server engineers use windows server:

Disposed of obsolete application server hardware and reduced physical data center use by Windows servers.
Provided engineering and architectural design for local Windows server operations personnel.

2. PowerShell

Here's how server engineers use powershell:

Added significant system automation and reporting mechanisms using PowerShell.
Developed PowerShell scripts to automate AD and Windows tasks and gather information across the environment.

3. Linux

Linux is a Unix-like operating system. Just like Windows, Mac OS, and IOS, Linux is an operating system used by millions across the globe. Android itself is powered by the Linux operating system. Linux manages all the hardware resources that are associated with your computer. The software is famous because of the protection it grants from viruses, malware, and crashes. The Linux operating system is entirely free and is an open-source software meaning it can be altered by those equipped with the knowledge to code.

Here's how server engineers use linux:

Established automated configuration scripts to allow simplified management with integrated Perl, Power shell, and console based Linux utilities.
Evaluated Linux technology as an additional standard for enterprise systems.

4. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how server engineers use java:

Utilized a combination of open source and commercial languages and technologies including Python, JAVA, Apache, MySQL and MSSQL.
Implemented architecture for server side Java classes for RX.com, an online pharmacy.

5. Microsoft Windows

Here's how server engineers use microsoft windows:

Manage Microsoft Windows active directory, AD federation, domain policies, corporate email platforms, and secure file transfer utilities.
Administered and designed the Microsoft Windows environment consisting of Active Directory, Group Policy, DHCP and DNS services.

6. SAN

SAN abbreviation for storage area network is a computer network that provides storage access.

Here's how server engineers use san:

Engineered High Availability MS Clusters on IBM Fiber SAN's for SQL Database, and Application servers.
Manage EMC SAN and Cisco MDS 9148 fabric switch using Cisco device manager and fabric manager.

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7. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how server engineers use troubleshoot:

Interacted with end-users and administrators to troubleshoot and perform repairs.
Support, troubleshoot and resolve Outlook 2003 client issues related to, calendar, and shared public folders.

8. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how server engineers use technical support:

Directed technicians, engineering designers and other technical supported personnel as needed.
Developed a PHP/MySQL based solution for managing internal technical support needs.

9. Azure

Here's how server engineers use azure:

Manage and support all facets of Office365, Message Labs and Azure footprint.
Implemented ADFS 3.0 redundancy, Azure AD Connect.

10. Virtual Servers

Here's how server engineers use virtual servers:

Compelled non virtual site users to switch to the more cost/operationally efficient Virtual Servers and created websites on IIS and troubleshooting.
Work with Virtual Machine software, building of virtual servers, management of both physical and virtual servers.

11. Server Environment

Here's how server engineers use server environment:

Managed server environment to maximize application deployment and support tool utility.
Worked cases via Virtual Room to replicate errors seen in customer's server environment and to get better understanding of errors.

12. DNS

Domain Name Systems, or DNS for short, is the internet's system for converting readable language, i.e., google.com, to machine language, i.e, 192.168. For a simple analogy, some call it the phonebook of the internet. Any website has its own IP address, for example, 192.168.160. Understandably this is hard to remember. So what a DNS does is link the domain name, google.com, with its IP address, 192.168.160.

Here's how server engineers use dns:

Supported and monitored Microsoft Active Directory, DNS, Organizational Units, User Accounts and Security.
Use of FTP, TELNET, & DNS as daily extended administration duties called for.

13. OS

In technical terms, OS stands for "Operating System". It is a software that is used to run programs on the computer. An operating system acts as a link between the user and the hardware components. Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux are examples of an operating system.

Here's how server engineers use os:

Perform Server maintenance - hardware and OS upgrades, patches, drive array expansions, RAID configurations, IDE and SCSI.
Build networks from the ground up and select the server hardware OS and software based on the customer needs.

14. SQL Server

Here's how server engineers use sql server:

Worked on SSRS to generate hierarchical reports and drill down reports and tested using Management Studio in SQL server 2005.
Perform SQL Server installations, database creation, backups, recoveries, table/index creation and modification of existing objects.

15. Server Infrastructure

Here's how server engineers use server infrastructure:

Forecast server infrastructure capacity to accommodate project requirements, demand and growth.
Managed capacity on physical and virtual server infrastructure.

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What skills help Server Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on server engineer resumes?

Austin McCoy

Director of Javelina Engineering Student Success Center, Texas A&M University - Kingsville

-Internship/co-op experience -Research experience
-Good leadership skills and involvement on campus and in the community and activities where the individual works as part of a team.
-Well written resume can tell a lot about the technical writing skill; a resume needs to be clean and comfortable to read; recruiters can find what they are looking for easily.
-Less is sometimes more because students sometimes will put more information on a resume than is pertinent to the position applying for.

What server engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

Director of Graduate Studies for the Dept. of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Assistant Professor of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington

I recommend enhancing skills in data analytics, if a graduate lacks such skills. Revitalizing business practices by analyzing user or inventory data is an integral part of almost all business applications. Hence, skills in data analytics will give a graduate an edge in the changing job market. Data analytics comes in various flavors: from gathering simple statistics to advanced machine learning. Hence, a graduate can always improve their skill from freely available online lectures, online classes such as Coursera, or on-ramp classes offered by many universities.

What type of skills will young server engineers need?

Vince Bowen

Executive Director, Department Chair Energy Systems Technology & Education Center (ESTEC), Idaho State University

How to learn. How to problem-solve. Emotional Intelligence to work in teams and get along with coworkers/customers. Then they need the tech skills.

What soft skills should all server engineers possess?

Dr. Thomas Gilbar Ph.D.

Chair and Lecturer, University of West Florida

Communication skills, as I mentioned before, are absolutely vital. Note this means not only written but also verbal skills. I have had some excellent students struggle to find a job because their interview and communication skills are lacking. If you are given an opportunity to do a mock interview with the career services department at your University, take it.

Besides that, the soft skills mentioned most often by employers are time and project management. Plan to enthusiastically discuss any projects you worked on from start to finish. If you have no experience, those capstone projects required in just about every engineering program become absolutely vital. Don't skimp just to get it done. Choose a project that you can be proud of and that showcases your abilities. Emphasize any leadership roles you have had and your experience with working on a team.

Don't forget to show that you are willing and able to learn. Computer Engineers work in a very large variety of companies. The chances of your BSCE program covering everything you need are slim to none. Be ready to discuss things that you picked up on your own and emphasize your openness and excitement to learn more.

What hard/technical skills are most important for server engineers?

Dr. Thomas Gilbar Ph.D.

Chair and Lecturer, University of West Florida

There are quite a few hard/technical skills that are important for Computer Engineers. We've found a lot of managers are looking for comfort in a variety of programming languages, including C++, C#, Java, Python, etc. Also, try to have a background in a variety of operating systems (certainly windows and mac, but also having experience on Apple iOS, Android, and even Linux will give you a leg up on the competition). Having at least some experience in data/cyber security is also important these days. On the hardware side, programming and applying microcontrollers and VHDL/Verilog programming are extremely important. VLSI design is also a nice addition to skill sets, though in most cases, not a deal-breaker. Circuit and electronic design are also very important skills to supplement your microcontroller skills.

Do you want to know more?

List of server engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a server engineer resume and required skills for a server engineer to have include:

Windows Server
PowerShell
Linux
Java
Microsoft Windows
SAN
Troubleshoot
Technical Support
Azure
Virtual Servers
Server Environment
DNS
OS
SQL Server
Server Infrastructure
Virtualization

Server Hardware
Cisco Ucs
Disaster Recovery
SCCM
DHCP
Hyper-V
TCP/IP
Unix
LAN
IIS
Provisioning
SharePoint
Vmware Esxi
Vmware ESX
NAS
PC

SCOM
Switches
Ruby
EMC
Red Hat
Debugging
Patch Management
Microsoft System Center
ITIL
Ongoing Support
Citrix Xenapp
Amazon Web Services
Level Support
VPN
Production Environment
Virtual Machines

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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