How To Become A System Test Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a system test engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Maryam Farahani

System test engineers work with computer hardware and software systems. Primarily, system test engineers are involved with testing products that are in development. They are charged with demonstrating that the products work properly and can be produced and distributed publicly. They test and confirm software and hardware changes to the system. Moreover, they work with other engineers to develop and record different procedures. Similarly, they assist with scripting to automate testing. Furthermore, they may prepare reports showing their testing methods and results. Also, they may discuss the test results with other staff.

Employers expect applicants to have a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field and relevant work experience. Applicants must have analytical, organization, communication, leadership, project management, computer, and problem-solving skills. You must be conversant with programming languages and process models. Your salary will range between $74,000 and $118,000, with an average of $93,561 per annum.

What general advice would you give to a system test engineer?

Maryam Farahani

Engineering Instructor, Bakersfield College

Thinking about the fields they want to experience or try. And to be intentional about their job search. The best advice is learning as much as they can about what company offers. Visualizing themselves in the next 5 years as a starting point. Do they want to travel a lot, or be in management positions? Do they want to be subject matter expert, or a hands-on engineer or technologist? Their goal may change as they progress in their career but having one makes a big difference in their career choices and keeping them on track.

ScoreSystem Test EngineerUS Average

Salary

7.6

Avg. Salary $100,751

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

4.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 19.66%

male 80.34%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

5.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.1

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a system test engineer

Explore system test engineer education requirements

Most common system test engineer degrees

Bachelor's

69.2 %

Master's

16.5 %

Associate

11.1 %

Start to develop specific system test engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Python	11.77%
Test Procedures	6.03%
C++	5.20%
RF	4.41%
Test Equipment	4.39%

Complete relevant system test engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New system test engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a system test engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real system test engineer resumes.

Research system test engineer duties and responsibilities

Used various workflow tools to manage AMD, OEM, ODM project dependencies and execution dashboard timelines.
Construct and manage a complete VMware environment for testing multiple Openstack instances of different configurations.
Assist in the installation and configuration of external feeds (on both Linux and Unix) from various exchanges.
Test on web base applications using Java, python, PHP and HTML server-side languages and run automation on it.

Prepare your system test engineer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your system test engineer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a system test engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable system test engineer resume templates

Build a professional system test engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your system test engineer resume.

Apply for system test engineer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a system test engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do system test engineers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

System test engineer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2020

Pros

I like testing because it can be interesting. Things can change but also stay the same. I like routine but not repetition doing the same thing. Testing isn't the best job but a good job.