What does a system design engineer do?

A system design engineer is an individual who participates in system design engineering and resolves manufacturing and service problems. System design engineers are required to collaborate with the system design team to research emerging technologies and develop new capabilities. They create design layouts by utilizing the use of CAD software such as AutoCad as well as supervise a group of CAD technicians. System design engineers must also provide customer service in the field and deliver individualized problem solving and system design support
System design engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real system design engineer resumes:
- Manage and harmonize cooperation between architect, structure engineer, HVAC engineer, plumping engineer, and electrical engineer.
- Lead the PCB design effort including component layout/placement, handling of critical nets, and test issues including PCB scan.
- Apply technical knowledge in electromagnetic theory and microwave technology to plan and manage projects concern with ground-base radar systems.
- Coordinate with senior electrical engineers and achieve hands-on experience on coal fire plant power generation and power transformers, circuit breakers.
- Design system level test hardware for the IC designers from QFN packages to highly dense FPGA.
- Assist in the electrical design and generate drawings utilizing AutoCAD.
- Code fixes perform in PHP, JavaScript and shell scripts (bash).
- Perform silicon evaluation of sigma delta ADC in the lab.
- Design circuit card assemblies using Altium computer aid design software.
- Used SolidWorks for the design of mechanical components and system assemblies.
- Generate drawings of systems, components, and interfaces using Altium.
- Develop GUI using MATLAB and LabView for control and quantification of HIFU catheter balloon testing
- Contribute to FPGA code of evaluation board for signal path activation in different modes.
- Design and maintain all cad models and documentation of infrare catalytic heaters and components.
- Integrate, synthesize, and write system level tests for a SPDIF audio interface IP.
System design engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of System Design Engineers are proficient in System Design, Architecture, and MATLAB. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of System Design Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- System Design, 11%
Performed digital telecommunications circuit design, system design, test engineering and system qualification for military hardware.
- Architecture, 8%
Trained and mentored junior engineers in telecommunications network architecture, acronyms, and standard engineering job functions and advanced upcoming technologies.
- MATLAB, 7%
Developed unique engineering solutions and user-friendly computational tools using MATLAB.
- C++, 5%
Object oriented C++, Rational Rose, UML, UNIX on fault tolerant hardware.
- CAD, 5%
Designed Electrical Systems, documented electrical schematics, and integrated electrical with mechanical structures in CAD.
- Project Management, 3%
Developed SharePoint repository for project management
Common skills that a system design engineer uses to do their job include "system design," "architecture," and "matlab." You can find details on the most important system design engineer responsibilities below.
Concentration. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a system design engineer to have is concentration. Their role and responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products." System design engineers often use concentration in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "developed embedded linux platforms for concentration and relay of data from residential monitor/control units via ppp-over-cellular and 2.4ghz. "
Initiative. Another essential skill to perform system design engineer duties is initiative. System design engineers responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." System design engineers also use initiative in their role according to a real resume snippet: "support of design reviews, the tollgate process, supplier meetings, sales tools plus cost and reliability initiatives. "
Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of system design engineers is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday system design engineer duties, as "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "conducted analysis and presented initial findings on the rf problems and needs at each venue. "
Writing skills. For certain system design engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of a system design engineer rely on this skill, as "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what system design engineers do: "instrument designer: writing instrument specification using comos database. "
Math skills. A commonly-found skill in system design engineer job descriptions, "math skills" is essential to what system design engineers do. System design engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." You can also see how system design engineer duties rely on math skills in this resume example: "position required extensive use of solid works with and without the fea program, simulation, and mathcad to analyze stresses. "
The three companies that hire the most system design engineers are:
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System design engineer vs. Radio frequency engineer
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, system design engineer responsibilities require skills like "architecture," "matlab," "c++," and "cad." Meanwhile a typical radio frequency engineer has skills in areas such as "test equipment," "antenna," "macro," and "post processing." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Radio frequency engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $94,522. Comparatively, system design engineers tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $116,222.The education levels that radio frequency engineers earn slightly differ from system design engineers. In particular, radio frequency engineers are 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a system design engineer. Additionally, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.System design engineer vs. Electronics engineer
An electronics engineer specializes in designing and developing electronic components and systems, ensuring efficiency in all aspects. They are primarily responsible for conducting tests and maintenance for systems, identifying any faults or inconsistencies, and performing corrective measures right away. Moreover, an electronics engineer must coordinate with clients to consult them on their needs and meet with other skilled engineers to ensure optimal quality of equipment. An electronics engineer may also perform administrative tasks, mainly to produce progress reports and presentations, manage schedules, and craft instructional written materials for all electronic systems.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real system design engineer resumes. While system design engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "architecture," "matlab," "project management," and "mechanical systems," electronics engineers use skills like "test equipment," "electronic equipment," "electronic circuits," and "product development."
On average, electronics engineers earn a lower salary than system design engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, electronics engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $103,397. Whereas system design engineers have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $116,222.electronics engineers earn similar levels of education than system design engineers in general. They're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for system design engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University
System design engineer vs. Senior staff engineer
A senior staff engineer is responsible for supervising a team of engineers, chemists, software developers, or molecular biologists. His/Her or her responsibilities include generating Structured Query Language (SQL) performance audit checklist template, creating SQL data query routines and functions for data extraction, and working directly with stakeholders. The job requires strong mechanical, listening, and mathematical skills and proficiency in Python programming language and computer architecture and hardware. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, business, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a system design engineer is likely to be skilled in "matlab," "control systems," "mechanical systems," and "gd," while a typical senior staff engineer is skilled in "python," "c #," "software development," and "excellent interpersonal."
Senior staff engineers earn the best pay in the telecommunication industry, where they command an average salary of $136,458. System design engineers earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $116,222.Most senior staff engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to system design engineers. For example, they're 4.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.System design engineer vs. Project engineer
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between system design engineers and project engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a system design engineer might have more use for skills like "architecture," "matlab," "c++," and "rf." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of project engineers require skills like "autocad," "construction management," "ul," and "engineering design. "
In general, project engineers earn the most working in the energy industry, with an average salary of $85,761. The highest-paying industry for a system design engineer is the automotive industry.In general, project engineers hold similar degree levels compared to system design engineers. Project engineers are 3.4% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of system design engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











