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The differences between systems engineers staff and senior software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a systems engineer staff, becoming a senior software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a systems engineer staff has an average salary of $129,611, which is higher than the $114,494 average annual salary of a senior software engineer.
The top three skills for a systems engineer staff include architecture, DOD and MATLAB. The most important skills for a senior software engineer are java, python, and javascript.
| Systems Engineer Staff | Senior Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $129,611 | $114,494 |
| Hourly rate | $62.31 | $55.05 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 304,494 | 338,989 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A systems engineer staff is responsible for designing and developing systems and software that optimize business operations, ensuring smooth workflow and client satisfaction. They primarily conduct research and analysis to identify the needs of the company and its clients, examine existing systems to identify areas needing improvements, install applications, and perform regular maintenance checks, providing corrective measures as required. Furthermore, as a systems engineer staff, it is essential to provide technical support within the company, all while implementing its policies and regulations.
Senior software engineers are experienced employees who would usually take the lead in projects related to software development. They are in charge of determining the needs of the organization, checking whether there are feasible solutions to challenges, and creating plans for the development of a software solution. They provide a sound analysis of data collected during the testing phase of the software and address any problems during the software development phase. Once the software has been developed, they then ensure that it works well and that it addresses the needs and expectations of the users.
Systems engineers staff and senior software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Engineer Staff | Senior Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $129,611 | $114,494 |
| Salary range | Between $95,000 And $175,000 | Between $86,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Cheniere Energy | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Retail |
There are a few differences between a systems engineer staff and a senior software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Engineer Staff | Senior Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between systems engineers staff' and senior software engineers' demographics:
| Systems Engineer Staff | Senior Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.1% Female, 15.9% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.8% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 31.8% White, 50.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |