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What does a systems support engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.
What does a systems support engineer do

Systems support engineers are information technology professionals who are responsible for building and maintaining the IT infrastructure of an organization. They are required to provide network administration and technical support to identify complex problem issues and come up with solutions to solve them. They must assist the system support engineers in accomplishing any projects they are working with. They must troubleshoot servers, personal computers, and peripheral equipment while liaising with their customers. They must also create and maintain user accounts and implement group policy management through an active directory.

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Systems support engineer responsibilities

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

  • Develop PERL scripts in LINUX environment to automate importation of classify advertising data for CondeNet's online newspapers and magazine presence.
  • Lead technical operations for an innovative workforce virtualization movement, including initial design and improvement of technical systems and processes.
  • Provide UNIX system support for production and development environments, specifically dealing with major enterprise level systems.
  • Administer, monitor multiple VMWARE clusters.
  • Implement system imaging for current & new systems through SCCM.
  • Work with DHCP and DNS to add, modify or delete records and reservations.
  • Maintain campus firewall and are responsible for maintaining and administration of DNS and DHCP server.
  • Provide comprehensive OS & applications support / training for a wide-variety of faculty & student projects.
  • Racked and install routers, switches, and firewalls in the build of the data center.
  • Install, test, maintain and troubleshot network devices, including routers, switches and firewalls.
  • Provide all system/r hat enterprise Linux desktop/workstation support solutions to end users in subsurface and wells team.
  • Support consist of troubleshooting hardware and software failures at the OS level and providing root cause analysis.
  • Provide technical assistance for internal teammates on PC issues, configurations and installations for their personal assign laptops.
  • Design the primary SAN to be highly available, fault tolerant, and optimize for a virtual environment.
  • Assist on migrating existing applications from physical servers to azure cloud as well as creating new applications in the cloud platform.

Systems support engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Systems Support Engineers are proficient in Linux, Troubleshoot, and Technical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Multitasking skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

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

  • Linux, 8%

    Managed and administered technical support and executed systems engineering for all Microsoft, Linux, and Macintosh Desktops.

  • Troubleshoot, 7%

    Administered, monitored, configured, analyzed and troubleshoot customer firewalls, networks, routers and internet connectivity.

  • Technical Support, 7%

    Provided advanced technical support to end users regarding implementation and configuration of a variety of software and hardware based solutions.

  • Database, 6%

    Analyzed and diagnosed technical production support issues involving enterprise-wide applications as well as database, network and system issues.

  • Unix, 5%

    Operated and maintained numerous Unix environments internationally, supporting approximately 650 active users, communicating with customers and support personnel worldwide.

  • Windows Server, 4%

    Administered Microsoft Windows Server and desktop family in an Active Directory environment.

"linux," "troubleshoot," and "technical support" are among the most common skills that systems support engineers use at work. You can find even more systems support engineer responsibilities below, including:

Multitasking skills. The most essential soft skill for a systems support engineer to carry out their responsibilities is multitasking skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." Additionally, a systems support engineer resume shows how their duties depend on multitasking skills: "used time management and multitasking skills to research and resolve customer issues in a timely manner. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform systems support engineer duties is analytical skills. Systems support engineers responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Systems support engineers also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "implemented feature in java spring application to synchronize databases in active-active architecture. "

Communication skills. systems support engineers are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to systems support engineer responsibilities, because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." A systems support engineer resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "maintained lcs t-1 communications network for san diego and southwest. "

Problem-solving skills. For certain systems support engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a systems support engineer rely on this skill, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what systems support engineers do: "involved with customer support for providing solution regarding rf links. "

See the full list of systems support engineer skills

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Compare different systems support engineers

Systems support engineer vs. Support analyst

The role of support analysts is to resolve problems with hardware, computer programs, and peripherals. They may focus on a particular aspect of the information technology (IT) department or give technical support to end-users. They mainly detect issues with IT equipment and software and devise solutions to resolve these issues. Also, they are responsible for answering queries from users, preparing service records, and handling escalations. Support analysts also support the company's IT operations and best practices by creating and distributing relevant IT documents.

The annual salary of support analysts is $6,572 lower than the average salary of systems support engineers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both systems support engineer and support analyst positions are skilled in linux, troubleshoot, and technical support.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a systems support engineer are more likely to require skills like "database," "system support," "powershell," and "system administration." On the other hand, a job as a support analyst requires skills like "customer service," "application support," "patients," and "issue resolution." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Support analysts tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $93,871. In contrast, systems support engineers make the biggest average salary, $92,061, in the finance industry.On average, support analysts reach similar levels of education than systems support engineers. Support analysts are 1.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Systems support engineer vs. Senior support specialist

A senior support specialist is in charge of providing technical support to clients, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. They typically communicate with clients through calls or correspondence where they address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. They may also assist clients in troubleshooting, provide step by step instructions, or recommend solutions. Furthermore, as a senior support specialist, it is essential to lead and serve as a role model for other support specialists while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.

Senior support specialist positions earn higher pay than systems support engineer roles. They earn a $23,954 higher salary than systems support engineers per year.A few skills overlap for systems support engineers and senior support specialists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "linux," "troubleshoot," and "technical support. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real systems support engineer resumes. While systems support engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "database," "java," "customer satisfaction," and "os," senior support specialists use skills like "customer service," "excellent interpersonal," "phone calls," and "data entry."

Senior support specialists may earn a higher salary than systems support engineers, but senior support specialists earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $83,262. On the other hand, systems support engineers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $92,061.senior support specialists earn similar levels of education than systems support engineers in general. They're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

Babak Beheshti Ph.D.Babak Beheshti Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology

-The enormous growth of IoT and wearables. The number of connected devices is expected to be more than 26 billion in 2020. That includes things like household appliances, controllable lighting, and much more. This trend is likely to continue as it is expected to see the industry grow to 661 billion dollars by 2021.

-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.

-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.

Systems support engineer vs. Computer engineer

A computer engineer is someone who examines, designs, and manages computer hardware and software systems. He/She or she helps in solving issues or any concerns that may occur with the computer's hardware and software as well as assists in the innovation of computer technology. Computer engineers are responsible for computer hardware design, development, research, and test computer systems. They examine components like circuit boards, processors, memory devices, routers, and networks. While, those working with the computer software are in charge of the development, design, and administration of software programs.

On average scale, computer engineers bring in higher salaries than systems support engineers. In fact, they earn a $14,244 higher salary per year.By looking over several systems support engineers and computer engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "linux," "troubleshoot," and "technical support." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, systems support engineers are more likely to have skills like "customer satisfaction," "system support," "powershell," and "customer support." But a computer engineer is more likely to have skills like "c #," "python," "software development," and "c."

Computer engineers make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $117,704. On the other hand, systems support engineers are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $92,061.computer engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to systems support engineers. Specifically, they're 3.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Systems support engineer vs. Desktop engineer

A desktop engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and performance of computer systems across the organization to deliver high-performance on business operations and client specifications. Desktop engineers resolve computer desktop issues, including navigation and security complications that create delays in the operational process. They conduct regular maintenance with the computer systems, upgrade network infrastructure, and perform configuration to ensure smooth functionality and resolutions. A desktop engineer should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, recommending system solutions to avoid the reoccurrence of network issues and glitches.

Desktop engineers average a higher salary than the annual salary of systems support engineers. The difference is about $20,332 per year.According to resumes from systems support engineers and desktop engineers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "linux," "troubleshoot," and "technical support. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between systems support engineers and desktop engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a systems support engineer might have more use for skills like "database," "unix," "java," and "customer satisfaction." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of desktop engineers require skills like "customer service," "remote desktop," "vdi," and "asset management. "

In general, desktop engineers earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $105,574. The highest-paying industry for a systems support engineer is the finance industry.In general, desktop engineers hold lower degree levels compared to systems support engineers. Desktop engineers are 5.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of systems support engineer

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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