COMPUTER SYSTEMS ENGINEERS (COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYSTS) California Occupational Guide Number 488 Interest Area 5-A 1995
TRENDS
The demand for COMPUTER SYSTEMS ENGINEERS will be fueled by continued expansion of electronic data processing in business, telecommunications, scientific research, utilities, government, and by the increasing sophistication and complexity of computers. More firms are realizing that the size and cost of computers have dropped, but the capacity for data storage and processing is greater than ever. The need for Computer Systems Engineers should increase as companies attempt to maximize the efficiency of their computer systems. Inexpensive computer hardware and software also will induce more small businesses to computerize their operations.
THE JOB
Computer Systems Engineers assist in the selection and installation of computer systems by providing technical advice and support, and by helping organizations acquire and set up affordable, workable data processing systems suited to current and projected needs.
Most Computer Systems Engineers work for companies which manufacture or sell complete computer systems to corporations. As members of the marketing/sales staff, they serve as the primary technical resource, both for customers and sales crew. They are closely involved in all phases of product sales and installation and maintain contact with their customers. During the presales phase, for example, systems engineers visit the customer's site, where they analyze daily operations and confer with managers and other personnel to determine information handling needs. Then, drawing on their knowledge of data processing technology and their company's products and systems they recommend appropriate hardware, software, and accessories to the customer. Working with other members of the account team, they develop written proposals and give product demonstrations. After the sale, systems engineers oversee system installation and may develop custom software to adapt the system to special applications. They evaluate the technical capabilities of the customer's staff to determine the training required, then prepare and conduct classes and seminars. They are also responsible for following up on established accounts, making regularly scheduled visits to monitor the system, and to provide additional guidance. They remain available for problem solving or to handle special projects, such as helping customers design and implement their own programs. Some systems engineers work for data processing consulting firms or for management consulting firms specializing in selecting, modifying, and setting up computer systems for a variety of clients. In many respects, the work of consulting systems engineers is similar to that of systems engineers who represent one computer company. However, as independent experts, consulting systems engineers review proposals from different computer vendors and objectively evaluate all of the client's options -- including that of retaining and improving the existing manual system or contracting with an outside computer service bureau.
Some systems engineers work in large organizations with separate data processing departments. Sometimes known as Computer Applications Engineers or Project Engineers, they help design and install computer-based information systems to support other departments, such as Payroll. They also prepare hardware and software specifications for outside vendors and consultants, code and test software for special purposes, and handle on-going system maintenance.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Systems engineers based in corporate data-processing departments spend most of their time in a business office/computer system environment. However, those employed by computer vendors and consulting firms spend much of their time in the field, meeting with customers. Driving their own or a company car, they call on customers at a variety of locations, ranging from manufacturing plants to research labs and banks.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division. The figures represent the broad occupational group Computer Engineers which includes Computer Systems Engineers.
Estimated number of workers in 1990 30,330 Estimated number of workers in 2005 45,950 Projected Growth Percentage 52% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 12,170
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
Growth will continue in this occupation. Employment will be concentrated in computer manufacturing firms, particularly those selling large "mainframe" and medium-sized "minicomputer systems." Recently, larger mainframe and minicomputer companies have expanded into the personal computer field, utilizing their existing field sales personnel (including systems engineers) to promote bulk sales of desktop computers to large organizations. To remain competitive, personal computer firms have begun to organize their own field marketing teams, creating some new jobs for systems engineers. A considerable amount of recruiting is done in colleges for those with BS degrees in computer science. There are also firms that have difficulty finding experienced persons in microcomputer systems engineering because the field is relatively new.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Starting salaries range from $27,000 to $33,000 a year. Those with one year of experience can earn from $35,300 to $40,500 a year. Those with two or five years of experience earn from $41,600 to $74,800 a year. Those who have worked for a company for 5 to 9 years can expect to be paid wages as high as $90,000.
Systems engineers, being professional-level employees, often work more than 40 hours a week. Fringe benefits normally include vacations, holidays, medical insurance, and pensions. Additional benefits may include annual profit-sharing bonuses, stock purchase plans, a company car and mileage allowance, and reimbursement for job-related education.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Systems engineers must have a combination of intellectual, practical, and interpersonal skills. They must be able to understand and analyze technical and business problems, and to develop creative yet workable solutions. They must be at ease meeting and working with a wide variety of people from sales representatives to programmers and engineers to small business owners and top-level corporate executives. Other important qualities include above average written and oral communication skills, a professional appearance and demeanor, and the ability to work independently. In addition, they should be willing and able to travel or relocate locally, out of town, or even overseas.
When hiring systems engineers, most consulting firms, corporate data processing departments, and the smaller computer companies require two to five years of related experience, involving design, installation, or operation of data processing systems. Large computer firms, on the other hand, will often hire inexperienced college graduates as systems engineer trainees and put them through intensive, company-based training programs. Hiring requirements for systems engineer trainees generally include a bachelor's or master's degree in an appropriate field of study, such as computer science, electrical engineering, business administration, or math. Degrees in some areas of the liberal arts or sciences, such as economics or physics, may also be acceptable. Whatever their college major, trainees are usually required to have some knowledge of computer programming and to have completed at least two programming courses. Finally, trainees are expected to demonstrate strong motivation and the ability to learn. Company-based training programs for systems engineers are designed to develop both theoretical and practical skills. In large companies, there may be three to 18 months of preliminary classroom training and computer-aided instruction, sometimes conducted at special training centers. Generally, there are at least three to nine months of on-the-job "field" training, in which trainees work on proposals and product demonstrations and, guided by experienced systems engineers, learn firsthand the most effective ways of dealing with customers. Experienced systems engineers must continue to keep up with new developments in data processing technology and in their company's products. To this end, they attend company-sponsored seminars and workshops, participate in professional associations, and may take evening courses or work toward advanced degrees in computer-related fields.
ADVANCEMENT
Depending on where they work, systems engineers may advance to field office team leader, branch or division sales manager, or manager of corporate data processing. Some elect to move into other corporate or staff functions, such as product planning or personnel. A few go into business for themselves, as systems designers, consultants, or vendors.
FINDING THE JOB
Large companies regularly recruit for systems engineer trainees on college campuses throughout the state. Openings for experienced applicants may be advertised in newspapers, under such headings as: Computers, Data Processing, Engineering, and Marketing. Job seekers should also apply directly to companies in which they are interested.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Association for Systems Management 1433 W. Bagley Road Cleveland, OH 44017 (216) 243-6900
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Industrial Engineers No. 3 Electrical/Electronics Engineers No. 12 Computer Programmers No. 81 Computer Operators No. 229
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Computer Systems Hardware Analyst 003.167-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Computer Engineers 221270
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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