Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.
- Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes, and make recommendations regarding component use.
- Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems.
- Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems.
- Direct the installation of operating systems, network or application software, or computer or network hardware.
- Monitor system operation to detect potential problems.
- Perform ongoing hardware and software maintenance operations, including installing or upgrading hardware or software.
- Verify stability, interoperability, portability, security, or scalability of system architecture.
- Identify system data, hardware, or software components required to meet user needs.
- Research, test, or verify proper functioning of software patches and fixes.
- Configure servers to meet functional specifications.
- Collaborate with engineers or software developers to select appropriate design solutions or ensure the compatibility of system components.
- Design and conduct hardware or software tests.
- Document design specifications, installation instructions, and other system-related information.
- Evaluate existing systems to determine effectiveness, and suggest changes to meet organizational requirements.
- Perform security analyses of developed or packaged software components.
- Provide technical guidance or support for the development or troubleshooting of systems.
- Define and analyze objectives, scope, issues, or organizational impact of information systems.
- Establish functional or system standards to address operational requirements, quality requirements, and design constraints.
- Develop system engineering, software engineering, system integration, or distributed system architectures.
- Provide advice on project costs, design concepts, or design changes.
- Evaluate current or emerging technologies to consider factors such as cost, portability, compatibility, or usability.
- Develop or approve project plans, schedules, or budgets.
- Communicate project information through presentations, technical reports, or white papers.
- Train system users in system operation or maintenance.
- Complete models and simulations, using manual or automated tools, to analyze or predict system performance under different operating conditions.
- Develop efficient and effective system controllers.
- Develop application-specific software.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
96%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
92%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
89%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
83%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
80%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
77%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
76%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
75%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
75%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
75%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
75%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
71%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
71%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
68%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
66%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
64%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
64%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
57%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
55%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
54%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
54%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
51%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
50%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
49%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
48%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
46%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
43%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
43%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
40%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
34%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
31%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
25%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
24%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
24%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
23%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
23%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
22%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
20%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
17%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
16%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
16%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
16%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
15%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
14%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
13%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
11%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
11%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
11%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
11%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
9%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
9%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
8%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
7%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
4%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
3%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
0%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
0%
Education
Post-secondary certificate
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Interests
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
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