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What does a systems engineer staff do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.
What does a systems engineer staff do

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.

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Systems engineer staff responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real systems engineer staff resumes:

  • Lead the design implementation of performance monitoring process using VMware's VirtualCenter.
  • Manage various successful projects for semiconductor equipment including next gen and retrofits (UV, RF, ALD).
  • Develop and integrate software that drives flight control system hardware and achieves product requirements for an international avionics customer base.
  • Create python scripts for generation and transmission of XML data files to various vendors.
  • Provide a liaison between the development community in Huntsville and project management in San Jose.
  • Maintain all SQL server databases and tables.
  • Provide 24x7 support for enterprise SAN environment.
  • Assist in building and documenting VMware server cluster.
  • Consult with customers on LiDAR-specific conops and workflows.
  • Develop engineering software, as needed using UNIX scripting.
  • Develop software tools for the infrastructure using UML and Java.
  • Develop Linux PCI host-interface driver for messaging exchange with VoIP processor.
  • Install new systems, diagnose trouble-shoot and forecast growth for the UNIX environment.
  • Design test data capture and reporting systems, including database (SQL) systems.
  • Coordinate with developers and record defects in JIRA to track until they are resolve.

Systems engineer staff skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Systems Engineers Staff are proficient in Architecture, DOD, and MATLAB. They’re also known for soft skills such as Problem-solving skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Systems Engineers Staff that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Architecture, 12%

    Assisted in defining the distributive processor architecture for the FAA's Terminal Advance Automation Segment Limited Consolidation Proposal.

  • DOD, 7%

    Developed repeatable processes and support documentation for integration of Ground System Enterprise resources into a new DOD facility.

  • MATLAB, 6%

    Documented and modeled SAR image formation and applications processing techniques using MATLAB for rapid prototyping.

  • System Integration, 6%

    Provided system integration and systems engineering support in the initiation, coordination, and customer approval of system requirements baseline.

  • System Design, 5%

    Developed functional specification that gives detail information on requirements and provide high level system design.

  • RF, 5%

    Researched and established engineering standards, network architectures, RF and fiber optic design parameters and specifications.

Common skills that a systems engineer staff uses to do their job include "architecture," "dod," and "matlab." You can find details on the most important systems engineer staff responsibilities below.

Problem-solving skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a systems engineer staff to have is problem-solving skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." Systems engineers staff often use problem-solving skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "led integration, troubleshooting, data analysis, quality assurance, and fault resolution of all aircraft avionic systems. "

Analytical skills. Many systems engineer staff duties rely on analytical skills. "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change.," so a systems engineer staff will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways systems engineer staff responsibilities rely on analytical skills: "developed user-friendly graphic user interface for flight data visualization. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of systems engineers staff is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday systems engineer staff duties, as "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed multiple trade studies for programs, including areas of satellite communication interface development and human machine interface optimization. "

All systems engineer staff skills

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Systems Engineer Staff Resume
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Systems Engineer Staff Resume

Compare different systems engineers staff

Systems engineer staff vs. Principal engineer

A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in preparing reports and training new staff.

If we compare the average systems engineer staff annual salary with that of a principal engineer, we find that principal engineers typically earn a $602 higher salary than systems engineers staff make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both systems engineer staff and principal engineer positions are skilled in architecture, dod, and matlab.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between systems engineers staff and principal engineer. For instance, systems engineer staff responsibilities require skills such as "functional analysis," "program management," "cost constraints," and "software specifications." Whereas a principal engineer is skilled in "python," "c #," "azure," and "project management." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Principal engineers really shine in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $125,415. Comparatively, systems engineers staff tend to make the most money in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $131,602.On average, principal engineers reach similar levels of education than systems engineers staff. Principal engineers are 2.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Systems engineer staff vs. Senior principal engineer

A senior principal engineer is responsible for leading engineering tasks within an organization and reports project updates to senior management. Senior principal engineers develop strategic methods and principles to improve the technical stability and efficiency of the company's systems, creating business proposals according to clients' specifications, and negotiating contracts with suppliers and other service providers. They also train new staff and identify innovations and business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources for the company.

A career as a senior principal engineer brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a systems engineer staff. In fact, senior principal engineers salary is $1,031 higher than the salary of systems engineers staff per year.A few skills overlap for systems engineers staff and senior principal engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "architecture," "dod," and "matlab. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, systems engineer staff responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "system integration," "functional analysis," "cost constraints," and "software specifications." Meanwhile, a senior principal engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "python," "cloud," "c #," and "infrastructure." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, senior principal engineers earn a higher salary than systems engineers staff. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, senior principal engineers earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $123,997. Whereas systems engineers staff have higher pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $131,602.In general, senior principal engineers achieve similar levels of education than systems engineers staff. They're 1.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 3.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for systems engineer staffs in the next 3-5 years?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.

Systems engineer staff vs. Embedded software engineer

An embedded software engineer is an individual who develops and implements software of embedded devices and systems as well as monitor the efficiency and stability of the system. Embedded software engineers should write programming codes and conduct testing of system software to optimize the input/output (I/O) performance. They must support the software QA and provide post-production support if necessary. Embedded software engineers should interface with hardware design and development and assess third-party and open-source software.

On average, embedded software engineers earn lower salaries than systems engineers staff, with a $27,468 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on systems engineers staff and embedded software engineers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "matlab," "system integration," and "rf.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, systems engineers staff are more likely to have skills like "architecture," "dod," "system design," and "functional analysis." But a embedded software engineer is more likely to have skills like "c #," "python," "embedded systems," and "firmware."

Embedded software engineers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $99,836. On the other hand, systems engineers staff are paid the highest salary in the telecommunication industry, with average annual pay of $131,602.When it comes to education, embedded software engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to systems engineers staff. In fact, they're 0.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Systems engineer staff 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.

Senior staff engineers typically earn higher pay than systems engineers staff. On average, senior staff engineers earn a $6,420 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, systems engineers staff and senior staff engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "architecture," "dod," and "system design. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "matlab," "system integration," "functional analysis," and "program management" are skills that commonly show up on systems engineer staff resumes. On the other hand, senior staff engineers use skills like python, c #, project management, and excellent interpersonal on their resumes.senior staff engineers enjoy the best pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $136,458. For comparison, systems engineers staff earn the highest salary in the telecommunication industry.The average resume of senior staff engineers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to systems engineers staff. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.5%.

Types of systems engineer staff

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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