"Are Systems Engineers in demand?" That’s a question you might be asking yourself if you want to advance in your career from a similar position or if you are just starting out in tech and have chosen this job as your future profession. We've got some good news for you: Yes, Systems Engineers are and will continue to be in high demand. Businesses need Systems Engineers to oversee the introduction of new technologies due to the rapid pace of technological change, the constraints of legacy systems, and the intensity of competition.
In this article, we examine the big picture of this field of work, including the various job titles it can encompass, the opportunities available in various parts of the US and among various companies, and the salary scale. This way, you will not only get answers to all of your pressing questions but also a hands-on guidebook on where to begin your job search. Are you intrigued? Let’s get going!
What Are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Systems Engineer?
To avoid confusion and ensure we're all on the same page about what a Systems Engineer is, let's start with the most basic definition of the role. Typically, the term Systems Engineer refers to a person who combines multiple engineering disciplines to design, purchase, and install a computer system that meets the specific needs of the business. They will be actively involved in the installation, acquisition, testing, and implementation phases of the project.
Typical responsibilities include making recommendations for scalability, troubleshooting any issues that arise during the use of the system, reviewing a company's security requirements, and recommending security measures to prevent sensitive data from being compromised.
Will This Job Continue to Be in Demand?
As technologically robust systems have evolved, System Engineers have become an essential component of virtually all businesses that require the design and maintenance of these systems. Therefore, the job outlook for Systems Engineers is bright. Companies in a variety of industries seek candidates with relevant experience and the ability to meet their system requirements.
Okay, So What Are the Numbers?
At the time of writing, we found 43,103 job listings for "Systems Engineer" on Indeed, 23,240 on Glassdoor, 72,202 on LinkedIn, and 653,348 on ZipRecruiter. So apparently, there are quite a number of options to choose from! The estimated total compensation for a Systems Engineer is $113,234 per year, with an average salary of $83,695 per year.
What Are the Highest-Paying States and Companies?
Location has a significant impact on the salaries of System Engineers. Let's take a look at various states and companies to see which ones pay the most. Using data from Glassdoor, we've ranked the states from highest to lowest in terms of salary potential. Keep in mind that the numbers represent the average median.
Furthermore, we have included data on the number of active job listings from both Glassdoor and Indeed to help you get a better idea of where you have the most options.
California
Number of open listings: 3,687 on Glassdoor and 6,080 on Indeed
Average annual salary: $98,413
Total annual pay: $141,147
New York State
Number of open listings: 949 on Glassdoor and 1,264 on Indeed
Average annual salary: $90,183
Total annual pay: $125,675
New Jersey
Number of open listings: 565 on Glassdoor and 757 on Indeed
Average annual salary: $85,234
Total annual pay: $112,759
Massachusetts
Number of open listings: 932 on Glassdoor and 1,297 on Indeed
Average annual salary: $84,370
Total annual pay: $113,818
Remote, nationwide
Number of open listings: 2,285 on Glassdoor and 3,470 on Indeed
Average annual salary: $84,155
Total annual pay: $114,755
Texas
Number of open listings: 2,076 on Glassdoor and 3,054 on Indeed
Average annual salary: $82,976
Total annual pay: $110,672
Colorado
Number of open listings: 1,099 on Glassdoor and 1,827 on Indeed
Average annual salary: $82,328
Total annual pay: $110,219
Illinois
Number of open listings: 727 on Glassdoor and 1,058 on Indeed
Average annual salary: $80,545
Total annual pay: $109,558
Georgia
Number of open listings: 714 on Glassdoor and 943 on Indeed
Average annual salary: $80,435
Total annual pay: $110,124
Pennsylvania
Number of open listings: 777 on Glassdoor and 1,080 on Indeed
Average annual salary: $79,857
Total annual pay: $107,296
Do you know that our Systems Engineering training program begins soon? Save your spot to kick-start your IT career with a starting salary of $80,000 or more!
What Are the Top-Rated Companies for Systems Engineers?
Now that we know how much Systems Engineers can expect to make in different parts of the country, we can look at the top-ranked companies in different economic sectors—the ones known for giving their employees the best pay, benefits, and career growth opportunities. We are using data from Indeed, which updates its ratings on a regular basis.
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, with headquarters in San Jose, California, is a multinational digital communications technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and other high-tech services and products.
Company rating: 4.1
Average annual salary: $131,194
Benefits: Employees of Cisco cite excellent health care and insurance benefits, parental leave, unrestricted time off, wellness benefits such as on-site gyms, and flexible retirement plans, among others.
SAIC
Science Applications International Corporation, Inc., is an American technology company headquartered in Virginia that offers government services and information technology support.
Company rating: 4.0
Average annual salary: $106,310
Benefits: Employees appreciate the company's generous benefits package, which includes health insurance, monetary bonuses, a referral program, stock options, and tuition reimbursements, as well as a flexible work schedule and the option to work remotely.
Boeing
The Boeing Company is a multinational corporation based in the United States that develops, produces, and sells aircraft, telecommunications equipment, and missiles all over the world.
Company rating: 3.9
Average annual salary: $100,197
Benefits: Employees mention such benefits as relocation assistance, great health insurance, high parental leave compensations, and paid time off, as well as the ability to work from home and a flexible schedule.
Raytheon
Raytheon Technologies Corporation is a multinational American aerospace and defense corporation with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. It is one of the largest providers of intelligence services and one of the largest aerospace and defense manufacturers in the world.
Company rating: 3.9
Average annual salary: $92,332
Benefits: Raytheon offers great benefits, including health insurance, remote work options, a great vacation and bonus policy, on-the-job training and mentoring programs, and generous retirement savings plans.
Verizon
Verizon is an American wireless network operator headquartered in New York that provides voice, data, and video services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms.
Company rating: 3.9
Average annual salary: $87,783
Benefits: Verizon employees are extremely satisfied with the company's insurance, wellness programs, relocation assistance, and bonus payments. Positive comments are also made about the company's generous tuition reimbursement and retirement plans.
There are, of course, other excellent offers on the market, from both large and small businesses. However, you can still use this rating as a basis for evaluation when searching for a job.
What Are the Alternative Titles for Systems Engineering Jobs?
We have compiled a list of job titles that are similar to the Systems Engineer role and are used interchangeably by companies, followed by similar professions that typical Systems Engineers often move into.
System Administrator
System Administrators maintain, configure, and operate computer systems and servers as well as participate in research and development to meet their organization's IT business needs and resolve system issues to minimize work disruptions.
System Architect
A Systems Architect is a technology expert who designs and builds computer systems and networks for businesses, representing the architecture of a system to meet specific needs.
Solutions Architect
A Solutions Architect develops the overall technical vision for a specific solution to a specific business problem, bridging the gap between the business problem and the technology required to solve it, as well as outlining each of the phases required to make that solution work.
Network Engineer
A Network Engineer, also known as a Network Systems Engineer, is in charge of developing IT networks for businesses. Network Engineers help improve their companies' capacity for internal communication, data storage, and security.
Infrastructure Engineer
An Infrastructure Engineer designs and maintains a company's servers, cloud storage, and other technical infrastructure.
Wrapping It Up
Although the title Systems Engineer is vague enough to have different meanings depending on the product, company, or industry in question, having expertise in this field opens up a lot of possibilities in tech and is regarded as a job with promising career opportunities.
In fact, we are now accepting applications for a Systems Engineer career program that will provide you with a holistic understanding of the field, a thorough grounding in theory and practice, and guidance from industry professionals working in companies like Google, Garmin, and EPAM. With starting salaries of $80,000, there's no reason to put off your career goals any longer!