System Engineer Jobs in the United States

Systems Engineer Jobs Overview

Systems engineers are IT professionals who specialize in designing, integrating, and managing complex systems. If you have a knack for troubleshooting and identifying system solutions, you’ll succeed in this growing engineering field.

Some systems engineer jobs involve designing and implementing new hardware and software systems. Others focus on administration and oversee computer systems throughout an organization. Whatever job you pick, you can be sure that you'll be using your intelligence, creativity, and technological skills to make functional computer systems.

The majority of systems engineers work full-time in an office setting. You'll spend a lot of time at your computer, but you’ll also be collaborating with other IT teams, performing technical tasks, and potentially leading other engineers to implement solutions.

Systems Engineer Salaries

On average, the typical systems engineer earns around $101,000. Based on national averages, system engineer jobs pay anywhere between $68,000 and $130,000 per year.

Your pay will be directly related to the engineering responsibilities that you have. If you want a high-paying job, you need to be comfortable managing large networks with a lot of different components. You may also garner a higher salary if you have special expertise in areas that other systems engineers lack, such as project management or Red Hat certification.

Another huge factor in your salary rate is the area you live. Systems engineers tend to earn more in cities with a bustling tech industry like San Francisco, Denver, or Austin. To find out how much you can earn in systems engineer jobs near you, check out the Monster Salary Calculator.

How to Pick the Right Systems Engineer Jobs

There are many types of systems engineer jobs, so it's important to choose one that’s a good fit for your skills and interests. Ask yourself if there’s a specific industry you want to work in, such as aerospace technology or robotics. It's also important to think about whether you want a job that focuses on hardware systems, software systems, or a blend of both fields.

Review our system engineer job listings to make sure that you possess the skills that potential employers are looking for. You should also consider if you have specialized knowledge, like an understanding of radar hardware or Amazon Web Service cloud experience, that might make you perfect for certain jobs.

Decide if you find the duties listed in the job posting interesting and rewarding. One systems engineer job might be a good fit for someone who enjoys building new systems from scratch while another job would be good for someone who likes troubleshooting existing systems.

In addition to thinking about the job itself, you also need to take a close look at the employer. When searching for systems engineer jobs, look up the company and get reviews on its culture and work environment.

Finally, it's also smart to consider how big the company is and what jobs they have available. Check to see if the systems engineer job might lead to other opportunities within the company. Think about the industry connections you might make so you can find a job that suits your long-term career goals.

Tips for Applying to Systems Engineer Jobs

The first step in any job application is to review all the instructions. Showing that you can pay close attention to detail will help prove you can be a successful systems engineer.

Next, you'll need a resume that clearly shows all your impressive qualifications. Systems engineer jobs favor precise, detailed resumes that emphasize the applicant's technical skills. Check to see which types of software, servers, and other technology the job posting mentions, and then make sure you mention your knowledge of these specific concepts in your resume.

To get help with formatting all your skills into a persuasive and easily understood resume, turn to Monster's Professional Resume Writing Services. Our experts can provide you with great feedback and suggest the best ways to phrase concepts. We'll even make sure you use the right keywords to make your resume stand out in the recruiter's screening software.

Including a cover letter with your resume is a great way to make a positive first impression. This is your chance to let the company get to know you a little. Of course, you should still emphasize your technical skills, but don't be afraid to let a little personality shine through.

As this sample engineering cover letter shows, it's important to emphasize your passion for the field. Talk about why you would enjoy working at the company or consider mentioning what drew you to the field of systems engineering.

Once you've prepared all these details, submit your application quickly and easily on Monster. Get access to free professional resume reviews, personalized job recommendations, and career advancement tips when you sign up for an account.

How to Follow Up on Your Systems Engineer Application

Once you submit your application, you should expect to wait to hear back from the employer. This is usually a good thing since it means they're taking the time to review your application instead of rejecting it automatically.

A follow-up is a great way to show your commitment to the job, and they can also provide you with valuable feedback on how to improve your application. A follow-up note, typically sent via email, allows you to show how interested you are in working for the company.

Usually, systems engineers should wait a week after posting the application before following up. To follow up, first check the job application and see if it contains follow-up instructions. If you aren't directed to a specific person in the company, address your follow-up to the HR department.

The best form of follow-up is an email that politely states your interest, asks if you're still in consideration, and requests feedback if you are no longer in the running for the job. Make sure to include your name, job application number, and date of application so the hiring manager can easily locate your details.

Interviewing for Systems Engineer Jobs

When you land an interview, it's essential to prepare for it. Employers are looking for smart, focused people to be systems engineers, so your interview should show that you're dedicated to the position. Make sure to look up the company's history and think of a few relevant questions or comments you can make to highlight your knowledge.

Your interview attire depends on the culture of the company you interview for. If it's a small tech startup known for a relaxed environment, you can get away with a more casual outfit such as a button-up shirt and khakis. Conversely, larger corporations often expect applicants to wear formal business attire for interviews.

During the interview, you can expect a lot of in-depth technical questions. Come prepared to discuss things like your preferred method for deploying network systems or the pros and cons of utilizing certain types of automation tools. Some interviews may even include a skills assessment where you're asked to design a system or troubleshoot a problem.

Technical skills are certainly important, but don't forget that a systems engineer role often requires communication and teamwork skills. Expect to also get some interview questions testing things like your conflict-resolution abilities or delegation skills.

Companies hiring system engineers are looking for people with specialized skill sets. Some common interview questions you might encounter include:

• What part of systems engineering interests you the most?
• Which systems design credentials do you have?
• What approach do you use when starting new projects?
• Can you provide an example of a past systems engineering challenge you faced and overcame?
• What would you do if an internal network started displaying DNS service interruptions?

Don't forget to keep in touch with the employer after your systems engineer interview. It's considered good manners to send a thank-you email within 24 hours of interviewing that thanks them for their time and reiterates your interest in the job. You can also send a follow-up email a week later if you are still waiting to hear back on the results of the interview.

How to React to a Job Offer

It’s important to know what to do once you receive a job offer. While it’s flattering to know that a company believes you’re the right system engineer for the job, you should still be sure to consider if the job is the one you want too.

Whether the company notifies you of the offer via phone or email, politely thank them for their interest and ask if you can have some time to examine the offer. It's normal in the tech industry for people to take a few days to consider a job offer before accepting it.

• When you look at the offer, the first thing you need to do is check out the job responsibilities. Make sure that the description of the job still matches the listing you saw on Monster and decide whether you're comfortable fulfilling the requested duties. See what hours you have to work and decide if it fits your needs.
• Next, think carefully about the salary. Systems engineers are typically paid an annual salary, but you might want to calculate an hourly wage based on the estimated schedule just so you can make sure the salary is proportionate to the time you'll spend at work.
• Salary negotiation is common in the tech industry, especially among system engineers, so don't be afraid to ask for better pay. Use the data you've collected about salaries to politely and professionally explain why you would prefer a higher salary. The employer may be willing to increase your salary or offer other helpful benefits like an excellent health insurance policy.
• Finally, when considering a job offer, think about your career goals. Decide whether the job looks like something that will put you on the path to your desired job position and help you learn about tasks that appeal to you. In some cases, it may be worth picking a job with better long-term prospects over one with a slightly higher salary.

Explore Popular Systems Engineer Career Paths

Systems engineer jobs are usually mid-level. Many systems engineers hope to advance to positions with more independence and management opportunities, such as security or architecture managers.

Some systems engineers will try to get the experience and specialized skills they need to become systems engineers for a specialized industry. Others will take the project management aspects of systems engineering and use them to advance to positions like IT director.

If you're interested in career growth, it’s important to develop your skills. Popular certifications for systems engineers include:

• Cisco Certified Network Associate
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
• VMware Data Center Virtualization
• Information Technology Infrastructure Library

Networking is also useful in the technology industry. Many systems engineers get advancement opportunities by impressing their colleagues and then getting recommendations for other positions. Therefore, it's smart to be polite to your co-workers, attend team-building events when possible, and take part in conferences.

Similar Occupations

Systems engineers have a lot of overlap with other careers. Here are some other potential occupations that might interest you:

• computer systems
• systems architect
• systems administration
• computer systems analyst