Discover the daily job duties, key skills, and salary potential of a systems engineer. Explore statistics on industry growth, areas of employment, and common qualifications held in the field.
Overview
System engineers are tasked with planning, developing, maintaining, and configuring an organisation’s network systems. They aim to deliver optimum network performance while falling in line with business guidelines and standard operating procedures.
These professionals design and assess the architectural specifications, data models, diagrams, and customer needs during the development cycle, implementing the appropriate infrastructure as required. System automation may also be applied for better efficiency.
Once deployed, system engineers are then responsible for monitoring and troubleshooting these networks, making improvements (where necessary) to ensure optimal performance. Diagnostics may be run to determine existing faults or vulnerabilities, maintaining records of any fixes made. They may then provide business staff with the technical direction to improve network operations – whether it be higher-quality hardware, software, or risk management.
System engineers can expect plenty of work in the next five years, with a 26.2% projected job growth, according to SEEK statistics.
Key Skills
Keen analysis skills for determining system faults and areas for improvement
Strong communication skills for determining client needs and providing technical direction in plain language
Ability to make sound, cost-effective business decisions and technical investments
High-level knowledge of operating systems, systems engineering software tools, and system management tools
Cybersecurity skills to ensure network protection and reliability
Comprehensive knowledge of chemistry, physics, engineering and computer science
Quick Facts
As a subset of computer network professionals, system engineers can find work in most regions of Australia, with New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland currently holding the largest share of workers. Weekly salary potential is currently higher ($2,021) than the all job average ($1,460) with plenty of opportunity for full-time work.
Salary Range
$56,000 - $104,000 (Median: $73,000)*
*Source: Payscale
Average Weekly Hours
42 hours (vs. all jobs average of 44 hours)*
*Source: Job Outlook
Main Industries
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Information Media and Telecommunications; and Education and Training
Most Common Qualification Level
STUDY PATHWAYS
Getting the skills you need is simple by studying one of our information technology courses below.
ICT40120 - Certificate IV in Information Technology (Networking)
ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology (Back End Web Development)
ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology (Advanced Networking)
*Sources: payscale.com.au and joboutlook.gov.au – All information is to be used as a guide only, and are accurate at the time of publication.
