Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
15-1299.08
Bright Outlook Updated 2023

The occupation code you requested, 15-1199.02 (Computer Systems Engineers/Architects), is no longer in use. In the future, please use 15-1299.08 (Computer Systems Engineers/Architects) instead.

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

Sample of reported job titles: Electronic Data Interchange System Developer (EDI System Developer), Information Technology Architect (IT Architect), Network and Infrastructure Engineer, Network Engineer, Solutions Architect, Systems Architect, Systems Consultant, Systems Engineer

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

  • Verify stability, interoperability, portability, security, or scalability of system architecture.
  • Develop system engineering, software engineering, system integration, or distributed system architectures.
  • Collaborate with engineers or software developers to select appropriate design solutions or ensure the compatibility of system components.
  • Identify system data, hardware, or software components required to meet user needs.
  • Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.
  • Research, test, or verify proper functioning of software patches and fixes.
  • Provide advice on project costs, design concepts, or design changes.
  • Perform security analyses of developed or packaged software components.
  • Provide technical guidance or support for the development or troubleshooting of systems.
  • Document design specifications, installation instructions, and other system-related information.
  • Communicate project information through presentations, technical reports, or white papers.
  • Define and analyze objectives, scope, issues, or organizational impact of information systems.
  • Monitor system operation to detect potential problems.
  • Design and conduct hardware or software tests.
  • Evaluate current or emerging technologies to consider factors such as cost, portability, compatibility, or usability.
  • Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems.
  • Establish functional or system standards to address operational requirements, quality requirements, and design constraints.
  • Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes, and make recommendations regarding component use.
  • Complete models and simulations, using manual or automated tools, to analyze or predict system performance under different operating conditions.
  • Develop or approve project plans, schedules, or budgets.
  • Develop efficient and effective system controllers.
  • Evaluate existing systems to determine effectiveness, and suggest changes to meet organizational requirements.
  • Configure servers to meet functional specifications.
  • Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems.
  • Develop application-specific software.
  • Perform ongoing hardware and software maintenance operations, including installing or upgrading hardware or software.
  • Direct the installation of operating systems, network or application software, or computer or network hardware.
  • Train system users in system operation or maintenance.
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Technology Skills

  • Access software — Citrix cloud computing software; Symark PowerBroker
  • Analytical or scientific software — IBM SPSS Statistics Hot technology ; Minitab; SAS Hot technology ; The MathWorks MATLAB Hot technology ; 1 more
  • Application server software — Atlassian Bitbucket Hot technology ; GitLab Hot technology ; Kubernetes In-Demand Hot technology ; Red Hat OpenShift Hot technology ; 7 more
  • Backup or archival software — Veritas NetBackup
  • Business intelligence and data analysis software — Apache Spark Hot technology ; MicroStrategy Hot technology ; Qlik Tech QlikView Hot technology ; Tableau Hot technology ; 2 more
  • Cloud-based data access and sharing software — Dropbox; Microsoft SharePoint Hot technology ; Slack Hot technology ; Software as a service SaaS In Demand
  • Cloud-based management software — Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation Hot technology ; Google Cloud software Hot technology ; IBM WebSphere Hot technology ; Splunk Enterprise Hot technology
  • Communications server software — IBM Domino
  • Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD Hot technology ; Autodesk Revit Hot technology ; Bentley MicroStation Hot technology ; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Hot technology ; 3 more
  • Computer based training software — InScribe
  • Configuration management software — Chef Hot technology ; IBM Terraform In-Demand Hot technology ; Perforce Helix software; Puppet Hot technology ; 3 more
  • Content workflow software — Atlassian JIRA Hot technology
  • Customer relationship management CRM software — Oracle Eloqua; Salesforce software
  • Data base management system software — Amazon DynamoDB Hot technology ; Apache Hive Hot technology ; Elasticsearch Hot technology ; Redis Hot technology ; 12 more
  • Data base reporting software — Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS Hot technology ; SAP Crystal Reports
  • Data base user interface and query software — Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2 Hot technology ; IBM DB2 Hot technology ; ServiceNow Hot technology ; Transact-SQL Hot technology ; 9 more
  • Data mining software — Google Analytics
  • Desktop communications software — Eko; Skype
  • Desktop publishing software — Adobe Systems Adobe FrameMaker
  • Development environment software — Apache Kafka Hot technology ; Apache Maven Hot technology ; Go Hot technology ; Oracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE Hot technology ; 24 more
  • Document management software — Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat Hot technology
  • Electronic mail software — IBM Notes; Microsoft Exchange
  • Enterprise application integration software — Atlassian Bamboo Hot technology ; Extensible markup language XML Hot technology ; Jenkins CI In-Demand Hot technology ; Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services SSIS Hot technology ; 2 more
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Clarity Systems IBM Clarity; Microsoft Dynamics Hot technology ; Oracle PeopleSoft; SAP software Hot technology ; 6 more
  • Enterprise system management software — IBM Power Systems software
  • Expert system software — Ansible software In-Demand Hot technology
  • File versioning software — Apache Subversion SVN Hot technology ; Git In-Demand Hot technology
  • Financial analysis software — Delphi Technology; Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Geographic information system — ESRI ArcGIS software Hot technology ; Geographic information system GIS software
  • Graphical user interface development software — Altia Design; Salesforce Visualforce
  • Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud software Hot technology ; Adobe Systems Adobe Fireworks; Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop Hot technology ; Trimble SketchUp Pro Hot technology
  • Human resources software — Human resource management software HRMS; Oracle Taleo
  • Industrial control software — Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Information retrieval or search software — LexisNexis
  • Instant messaging software — Blink
  • Internet browser software — Web browser software
  • Internet directory services software — Microsoft Active Directory In-Demand Hot technology
  • Internet protocol IP multimedia subsystem software — Voice over internet protocol VoIP system software
  • LAN software — Local area network LAN software
  • Medical software — Epic Systems Hot technology ; MEDITECH software
  • Metadata management software — CA Erwin Data Modeler
  • Network conferencing software — IBM Lotus SameTime
  • Network monitoring software — Nagios; Network intrusion prevention systems NIPS; Snort; Wireshark
  • Network security and virtual private network VPN equipment software — Firewall software In Demand
  • Network security or virtual private network VPN management software — Intrusion detection system IDS; Virtual private networking VPN software
  • Object or component oriented development software — jQuery Hot technology ; Objective C Hot technology ; Scala Hot technology ; Swift Hot technology ; 11 more
  • Object oriented data base management software — Hibernate ORM Hot technology ; PostgreSQL Hot technology
  • Office suite software — Microsoft Office software In-Demand Hot technology
  • Operating system software — Bash Hot technology ; Microsoft Windows Server In-Demand Hot technology ; Shell script Hot technology ; UNIX Shell Hot technology ; 12 more
  • Portal server software — Apache HTTP Server
  • Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint Hot technology
  • Process mapping and design software — Microsoft Visio Hot technology
  • Program testing software — Hewlett Packard LoadRunner; JUnit Hot technology ; Selenium Hot technology
  • Project management software — Atlassian Confluence Hot technology ; Microsoft Project Hot technology ; Microsoft Teams Hot technology ; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management Hot technology ; 1 more
  • Requirements analysis and system architecture software — Unified modeling language UML
  • Sales and marketing software — Google Ads; Marketo Marketing Automation Hot technology
  • Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel Hot technology
  • Storage networking software — Amazon Simple Storage Service S3 Hot technology ; Storage area network SAN software
  • Transaction security and virus protection software — McAfee; NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software
  • Transaction server software — BEA Tuxedo; Customer information control system CICS; Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)
  • Video conferencing software — Cisco Webex Hot technology
  • Video creation and editing software — Apple Final Cut Pro
  • WAN switching software and firmware — Wide area network WAN software
  • Web page creation and editing software — Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Web platform development software — Django Hot technology ; Google Angular Hot technology ; React Hot technology ; Spring Framework Hot technology ; 25 more
  • Word processing software — 3M Post-it App
Hot technology
Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
In demand
In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation.

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

  • Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Providing Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
  • Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
  • Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
  • Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  • Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Detailed Work Activities

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Work Context

Experience Requirements

Job Zone

Title
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
SVP Range
2-4 years of preparation (7.0 to < 8.0)

Training & Credentials

State training
Local training
Certifications
Find certifications nationwide
Apprenticeships
Have a career path or location in mind? Visit Apprenticeship.gov to find apprenticeship opportunities near you.

Worker Requirements

Skills

  • Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Active 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.
  • Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Systems Analysis — 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.
  • Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Operations Analysis — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Programming — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  • Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
  • Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  • Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  • Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • 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.
  • English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Telecommunications — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:

  • 57%
     
    Bachelor’s degree required
  • 17%
     
    Master’s degree required
  • 10%
     
    Post-secondary certificate required

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

  • Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

Interests

Interest code: IRC
Want to discover your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move.
  • Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
  • Realistic — Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
  • Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Work Values

  • Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
  • Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Work Styles

  • Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
  • Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
  • Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
  • Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
  • Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
  • Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
  • Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
  • Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
  • Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  • Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
  • Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
  • Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
  • Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
  • Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wage data for Computer Occupations, All Other.
Employment data for Computer Occupations, All Other.
Industry data for Computer Occupations, All Other.
Median wages (2022)
$47.47 hourly, $98,740 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2021)
408,200 employees
Projected growth (2021-2031)
Faster than average (8% to 10%)
Projected job openings (2021-2031)
34,700
State trends
Top industries (2021)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 wage data and 2021-2031 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2021-2031). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings

More Information

Sources of Additional Information

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.