What is a technical systems engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Libby Toping

A technical systems engineer designs and maintains complex computer systems and networks to meet the needs of their company. These engineers typically work with hardware, software, and network components to ensure all systems function properly. Technical systems engineers troubleshoot problems, analyze existing systems for improvement, and develop strategies for implementing new technologies. Overall, technical systems engineers play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of important computer systems in a wide range of industries.

What general advice would you give to a technical systems engineer?

Libby Toping

Engineer intern, Crafton Tull

It has definitely been a unique time to start my first job. COVID-19 has caused many of my peers to struggle to find a job, so I think it has caused me to recognize how thankful I am to have a job that I enjoy working and that allows me to improve my community, even in the midst of a pandemic. There are certainly struggles with virtual meetings and mask-wearing, but learning to be flexible and adaptable are skills that I think will make me a better engineer in the long run!

ScoreTechnical Systems EngineerUS Average

Salary

7.6

Avg. Salary $101,163

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 10.73%

Black or African American 8.70%

Hispanic or Latino 12.40%

Unknown 5.07%

White 62.78%

Gender

female 11.38%

male 88.62%

Age - 42

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 - 42

Stress level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a technical systems engineer?

Pros

Good salary and benefits due to demand for technical systems engineers
Chance to work with cutting-edge technology
Opportunities for career growth and advancement
Exposure to various work environments and cultures
Possibility of remote work

Cons

Long hours and strict deadlines
Risk of burnout due to high workload
Risk of errors or failures can lead to costly consequences
Limited creativity and/or decision-making power on some projects
Potential for conflicts with team members and clients

Key steps to become a technical systems engineer

Explore technical systems engineer education requirements

Most common technical systems engineer degrees

Bachelor's

58.3 %

Associate

22.6 %

Master's

11.4 %

Start to develop specific technical systems engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Cloud	7.08%
Troubleshoot	5.33%
Linux	4.86%
Windows Server	4.34%
Technical Support	4.29%

Complete relevant technical systems engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New technical systems 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 technical systems engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real technical systems engineer resumes.

Gain additional technical systems engineer certifications

Technical systems engineer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific technical systems engineer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for technical systems engineers include Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).

More About Certifications

Research technical systems engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage PGP encryption for secure data transmissions.
Provide in-house DNS hosting services for corporate and customers zones and manage SSL certificates.
Manage the LAN infrastructure, partitioning of data, and administration of software security.
Manage all virtualization efforts across the company.

Prepare your technical systems engineer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your technical systems 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 technical systems 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 technical systems engineer resume templates

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