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Computer Systems Engineers (Computer Systems Analysts)

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.