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Computer Systems Engineer

Occupation Information table
Overview: System engineers confer with customers to identify their computer processing needs. They use mathematical models and conduct experiments to make decisions about the design and use of computer software and hardware components. They evaluate the capabilities of new systems.
Duties: They study customer's information handling needs in order to identify new uses for computers in a variety of applications such as manufacturing, banking, medicine, air & hotel reservations.

Provide computer development engineering teams with computer hardware performance requirements for entering data, processing, displaying and transmitting results for new applications.

Decide what kinds of software are needed for new applications and coordinates the development of new software programs by providing programmers with detailed specifications.

Conduct experiments to evaluate the performance of new computer systems. They estimate improvements in efficiency and cost savings for customers by means of trial usage of computers.
Degree(s): A.S. Engineering Science 
A.A.S. Computer Engineering Technology 
A.A.S. Computer Information Systems 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 2% to 4% from 2018 to 2028, which is slightly slower than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $50,000 to $56,000
Education Level: Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college (some are 5 years) is required to be considered for this occupation.
Additional Training/Education: Most employers seek applicants who have at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or computer information systems with a strong background in mathematics, programming or computer systems engineering. Many employers require a master's degree for research positions.
Advancement Info: As is the case with most occupations, advancement opportunities for computer engineers increase with experience. Entry-level computer engineers are likely to test and verify ongoing designs. As they become more experienced, they may become involved in designing and developing. Eventually, they may advance to become a project manager, manager of information systems, or chief information officer. Some computer software engineers with several years of experience or expertise find lucrative opportunities working as systems designers or independent consultants or starting their own computer consulting firms
Recommended Skills:
  • Writing computer programs to perform specific information handling operations.
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Identifying the most appropriate equipment and tools needed to get a job done.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • Using mathematics and/or statistics to solve problems.
  • Ability to identify a problem, review related information, develop and evaluate options, and implement a solution.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Analyzing the symptoms of a problem and deciding what actions should be taken to resolve the problem.
Recommended Values:
  • Create new ideas, programs, things, or anything else not previously developed by another person.
  • Being able to decide on how to get something done without significant direction from someone else.
  • Having a level of income that will afford you with luxuries, and which will allow you to become financially independent.
  • Having the ability to work with equipment or material things.
  • Doing something where you can physically see the results of your work.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.