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Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

What do they do?

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

Also known as:

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

Typical Wages

Projected Growth Rate

Employment of Computer Occupations, All Other (SOC 2018) is projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032, more slowly than average compared to all occupations.

Projected Employment in OH

No Data Available
  • 2.7%

    Change

    Ranks #38 in job growth rate
    530

    Job Openings

    Ranks #22 in net job growth

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Education Level

Percent of workers in this field with these degrees:

  • Bachelor's degree  (39%)
  • Some college, no degree  (21%)
  • Master's degree  (14%)
  • Associate's degree  (14%)
  • High school diploma equivalent  (10%)
  • Doctorate or Professional Degree  (1%)
  • Less than high school diploma  (1%)

Typical College Majors

Most Popular Majors that prepare Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

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People in this career often have these skills:

  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • 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.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • 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.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • 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.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

People in this career often know a lot about:

  • 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.

People in this career often have talent in:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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).

People in this career often do these activities:

  • Test computer system operations to ensure proper functioning.
  • Design integrated computer systems.
  • Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
  • Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.
  • Identify information technology project resource requirements.
  • Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
  • Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.
  • Analyze security of systems, network, or data.
  • Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
  • Document technical specifications or requirements.
  • Prepare analytical reports.
  • Communicate project information to others.
  • Develop organizational goals or objectives.
  • Monitor computer system performance to ensure proper operation.
  • Test computer hardware performance.
  • Test software performance.
  • Evaluate utility of software or hardware technologies.
  • Develop guidelines for system implementation.
  • Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology.
  • Design computer modeling or simulation programs.
  • Develop models of information or communications systems.
  • Develop detailed project plans.
  • Design software applications.
  • Configure computer networks.
  • Manage information technology projects or system activities.
  • Install computer software.
  • Install computer hardware.
  • Maintain computer hardware.
  • Coordinate software or hardware installation.
  • Train others in computer interface or software use.

This page includes data from:

O*NET OnLine Career data: O*NET 28.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Logo Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics

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