Career Overview
Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.
Also Known As
- Infrastructure Engineer
- IT Architect (Information Technology Architect)
- Solutions Architect
- Systems Engineer
Alternate Job Titles
- Application Systems Architect
- Cloud Architect
- Cloud Engineer
- Cloud Infrastructure Engineer
- Cloud Platform Engineer
- Cloud Software Engineer
- Cloud Solution Architect
- Computer Systems Architect
- Data Platform Engineer
- Enterprise Architect
- Firmware Engineer
- Information Architect
- Infrastructure Engineer
- IT Architect (Information Technology Architect)
- IT Engineer (Information Technology Engineer)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems.
- Direct the installation of operating systems, network or application software, or computer or network hardware.
- Monitor system operation to detect potential problems.
- Identify system data, hardware, or software components required to meet user needs.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Systems Analysis
- Systems Evaluation
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Analysis
- Active Learning
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Originality
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Innovation
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Adaptability
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Photoshop
- AJAX
- Amazon DynamoDB
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
- Amazon Redshift
- Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Ansible software
Tools & Equipment
- Blade servers
- Computer network routers
- Desktop computers
- Graphics display cards
- Laptop computers
- Lightweight directory access protocol LDAP servers
- Mainframe computers
- Mass storage devices
- Motherboards
- Multi-conductor cables
- Personal computers
- Radio frequency cables
- Smartphones
- Tablet computers
- Web servers
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Computer Occupations, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Computer Systems Engineers/Architects.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $52,650 |
| Median | $108,970 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $176,800 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 439,380
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Software Developers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $133,080
Computer Systems Analysts
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $103,790
Computer Network Architects
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $130,390
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $96,800
Blockchain Engineers
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $108,970
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.