Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Develop solutions to problems in complex computer applications.
Quick Facts
Wages: |
Median wages for the broader occupation, Computer Occupations, All Other, are
/ hour.
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Education: |
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On the Job: |
Typical Work Tasks
- Configure computer networks.
- Install computer hardware.
- Install computer software.
- Analyze security of systems, network, or data.
Read more about the job
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Job Title Examples: |
Enterprise Architect
Knowledge Architect
Requirements Engineer
See more job title examples
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View All Career Information
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database 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.
On the Job
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects design and develop solutions to complex computer application problems. They communicate with staff to understand system requirements, and provide technical guidance when problems arise.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Configure computer networks.
- Install computer hardware.
- Install computer software.
- Analyze security of systems, network, or data.
- Identify information technology project resource requirements.
- Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
- Communicate project information to others.
- Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
- Design computer modeling or simulation programs.
- Design integrated computer systems.
Typical Working Conditions
- Using e-mail.
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- Sitting.
- Working with a group or team.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- High levels of competition.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database 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.
Education & Credentials
This is a new or emerging specialty. The information on this page is based on the broader career that this specialty is part of,
Computer Occupations, All Other.
Educational Requirements
Not available
Education level attained (national data)
Education Level Attained (national data)Education Level Attained | Percentage of workers in this occupation |
Less than high school diploma | 0.7 |
High school diploma or equivalent | 8.4 |
Some college, no degree | 20.3 |
Associate degree | 14.4 |
Bachelors degree | 39.5 |
Masters degree | 15.6 |
Doctoral (Ph.D) or professional degree | 1.3 |
Work Experience and Training Requirements
Nationally, this career typically requires:
- No related work experience for entry.
- Little or no on-the-job training to become competent.
Current Training Opportunities
Related Programs
Majors
Click on any of the Majors listed below to find out more about preparing for this
career.
Transfer Options
Enrolling in a community college can be a great place to start your four-year degree. While all 31 Minnesota State community colleges,
technical colleges and universities offer all or part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
(a 40-credit package of general education courses accepted for transfer to other state colleges and universities, the University of Minnesota,
and some private colleges and universities), not all two-year colleges offer degrees intended to transfer to a four-year bachelor's degree.
If you plan to transfer to obtain a four-year bachelor's degree, it is important to know which degree path is right for you:
- Associate of Arts (AA) degrees offered at community colleges are designed to transfer into liberal arts four-year majors.
- Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degrees offered at community and technical colleges transfer into specific four-year majors and will likely require completing additional general education courses at a university.
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees offered at technical and community colleges are not designed to transfer. They lead to immediate entry into the workplace.
- Diplomas and certificates offered at technical colleges are not designed to transfer. They lead to immediate entry into the workplace.
Talk to a transfer specialist as early as possible to determine the best associate degree for your goals. Be sure to review your Degree Audit Report (DARS) each semester to best prepare for transfer. Get more help understanding transfer using the tools below.
Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:
- Algebra I and II
- Analytic Geometry
- Electronics
- Graphic Arts
- Journalism
- Keyboarding
- Multimedia
- Network Systems
- Pre-Calculus
- Technical Writing
- Trigonometry
- Web Page Design
In Minnesota, your school may have developed a Program of Study in this career area.
A Program of Study is an academic and career plan developed by your high school to help move you towards a career
and college path. A Program of Study can help you:
- Select high school classes that prepare you for college and getting a job
- Understand how the classes you're taking in high school lead to a career
- Identify extra-curricular activities that are related to your career interest
- See what classes at your school offer early college credit that will save you time and money towards your college expenses
- Graduate from high school prepared for your next step toward the career you choose
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database 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.
Skills & Knowledge
Most Important Skills for Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Selecting/Creating the Right Product Design—Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
- Evaluating a System or Organization—Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Programming Computers —Writing computer programs for various purposes.
- Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Solving Complex Problems—Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Understanding a System or Organization—Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Most Important Knowledge Areas for Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Engineering and Technology—Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Design—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Telecommunications—Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
- Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:
- Investigative—Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Learn more about your interests. Take the MnCareers Interest Assessment.
Describe Your Skills
This is a new or emerging career specialty. Skill statements are still under development.
Careers that Use Similar Skills
The following careers use skills, knowledge, and abilities that are similar to those used for Computer Systems Engineers/Architects.
View more careers in the Information Technology cluster
View more careers in the Information Support and Services pathway
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database 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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Jobs
Real-time job data provided by Gartner TalentNeuron
Job Title Examples
Enterprise Architect,
Knowledge Architect,
Requirements Engineer,
Systems Engineer,
Computer Systems Architect,
Electronic Data Interchange System Developer (EDI System Developer),
Security Architect,
Solution Architect,
System Architect,
Web Architect
Where Do Computer Systems Engineers/Architects Work?
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects often work in the following industries.
Similar Careers
Below are careers that use skill sets that are similar to Computer Systems Engineers/Architects.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.