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Computer Systems Engineer/Architect

Also called: Infrastructure Engineer, IT Architect (Information Technology Architect), Solutions Architect, Systems Engineer

Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Tech
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Median pay
$116,580/yr
Typical range
$55,940 – $188,470
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Computer Systems Engineer/Architect do?

  • Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.
  • Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes, and make recommendations regarding component use.
  • Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems.

How to become a Computer Systems Engineer/Architect

Training: A certificate after high school or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questionsReading work related informationNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve itFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect itMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it

Is it a fit for you?

  • Innovation
  • Adaptability
  • Achievement Orientation
  • Intellectual Curiosity
  • Cautiousness

Tools and technology

ReactSpring FrameworkAtlassian ConfluenceMicrosoft TeamsApache MavenOracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE

Questions people ask

How much does a Computer Systems Engineer/Architect make?

About $116,580 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $55,940 and $188,470. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Computer Systems Engineer/Architect?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be a Computer Systems Engineer/Architect?

No four-year degree is needed. A certificate after high school or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree.

Is Computer Systems Engineer/Architect a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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