Systems Engineer
Table of Contents
Job Name
Systems Engineer
Brief Description
Systems Engineering (SE) is an interdisciplinary approach and is a measure for enabling the realisation and deployment of successful systems. As an approach, systems engineering is holistic and interdisciplinary in flavour. It can be viewed as the application of engineering techniques to the engineering of systems, as well as the application of a systems approach to engineering efforts. Systems engineering incorporates other disciplines and specialty groups into a team effort, forming a structured development process that proceeds from concept, to production, to operation and disposal. Systems engineering considers both the business and the technical needs of all customers, with the goal of providing a quality that meets the user needs. The evolution of systems engineering as it continues to this day, encompasses development and identification of new methods and modelling techniques: methods that can assist in improved comprehension of engineering systems as they grow more complex. (Wikipedia, Systems engineering, 2007)
Computer Systems Engineers offer assistance in areas such as design, installation and selection of computer types and systems. They also offer their expertise to organisations wanting to install affordable and easy to operate data processing systems that suit the organisations needs now and in the future. During the initial design process, systems engineers aim to project the clients needs and specification in order to build an appropriate computing system. Systems engineers then decide on the suitable hardware and software accessories necessary to result in the most efficient system. (GetAcsess, Computer Systems Engineer, 2007)
Duties & responsibilities of this role
Systems engineering consists of a system lifecycle, which is the course of developmental changes through which a system passes from its conception to the termination of its use and subsequent salvage. (Wikipedia, System lifecycle, 2007)
The system lifecycle involves:
- Defining customer needs and required functionality early in the development cycle
- Documenting requirements
- Proceeding with design synthesis and system validation while considering the complete problem (Wikipedia, Systems engineering, 2007)
The Systems Engineering Management Process organises the technical effort in the lifecycle. (Wikipedia, Systems engineering, 2007)
The Systems Engineering process involves:
- Assessing available information
- Defining effectiveness measures
- Creating a behaviour model
- Creating a structure model
- Performing trade-off analysis
- Creating sequential build and test plan
Other duties and responsibilities of systems engineering consists of the following:
- Creating a user friendly database
- Design and develop electronic controllers (including robotics)
- Design and develop new and efficient systems architecture (including hardware and software components)
- Collaborate with local network providers and servers
- Manage the overall installation
- Apply and test computer system and accessories (including printers, modems, scanners, digital cameras, phones etc.) at various work stations (GetAccess, Computer Systems Engineer, 2007)
- Application packaging using Wise Studio for deployment onto SOE Workstations.
- Analysis, design and/or development of elements of computing systems for use in customer sites including integration, installation, set to work and supporting documentation (Thalesgroup.com.au, 2007).
Skills Required:
A combination of intellectual, practical and interpersonal skills are useful to systems engineers. It is neccessary for them to be able to comprehend, analyse and predict specific technical and business issues, and therefore create an effective solution. (Lakos et al., 2002 : 14)
In the defence industry the following knowledge and skills are essential:
- System Architecting
- System Integration
- HMI design
- CAD and CAE skills
- Operational Analysis (MyCareer, Systems Engineer, 2007)
Requires in-depth knowledge of system engineering, including planning, analysis, design, configuration management, development, integration, verification and validation, and cost and risk, and logistics analyses for total systems. Must have experience with multiple systems engineering disciplines and the systems life cycle. Should have knowledge and experience in systems engineering in three or more of the following areas: Concept Definition and Mission Requirements Analysis, System Hierarchy and Specification Tree development , Logistics Analysis and Engineering (Reliability, Availability and Maintainability) etc. (jobs.apogen.com, August 17, 2007)
The engineer should have some experiance for JAVA, shell scripts, GUI development etc. Also the engineer must have knowledge for web services, web servers, application servers and be familiar with oracle or apache application servers.(jobs.apogen.com, August 17, 2007)
Qualifications:
- For entry into computer systems engineering, applicants should have a minimum four-year degree in computer systems or information technology engineering, which is offered by most universities. Experience is not necessary as on the job training is provided. (GetAccess, Computer Systems Engineer, 2007)
- CPEng.
- CMMI.
- Microsoft Certification: MCP, MCSA, and/or MCSE.
- Redhat Certification: RHCE and/or RHCT.
- CISCO Certification: CCNA.
- MSEE Systems Engineering and Engineering Management. (Wikipedia, Systems engineering, 2007)
The successful applicant must also have:
- Demonstrated experience in a large IT infrastructure (Seek.com.au, 2007)
- Strong ability in scripting languages (Seek.com.au, 2007)
- Highly skilled in Windows and Citrix Administration (Seek.com.au, 2007)
- Foundational background in one of the traditional engineering disciplines. (Wikipedia, Systems engineering, 2007)
System Engineers within the public sector are required to have the following skills:
1. Demonstrated understanding of complex developmental and operational server techniques and procedures, preferably with experience in:
a. DNS, WINS, IIS, TCP/IP and Network Services
b. SMS 2003 administration
c. MS Exchange 2003 administration
d. Active Directory administration
e. Data storage management
2. Ability to perform, and an understanding of, the monitoring, auditing, backup and recovery requirements and functions required to provide a stable and efficient ICT environment, protecting the integrity and security of all NAA servers and databases.
3. Ability to provide first level support and monitoring for CISCO firewalls, routers and switches.
4. Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and to meet externally imposed deadlines.
5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to be able to present technical issues in lay terms.
6. A knowledge of and a demonstrated commitment to contemporary people management principles and practices (in respect to the APS Values, Equity and Diversity, OH&S and participative management), and the ability to apply in the workplace.
Desirable
7. A minimum of two years experience in either or both of the following:
a. Windows 2003/2000 Administration (MCSE preferred)
b. Linux system administration
8. Completion of appropriate tertiary level of studies or evidence of appropriate knowledge and ability to undertake the work. (National Archives of Australia, 2007)
Salary
The salary for people just entering the profession is in the range of $42,000 and this may go as high as $120,000 plus. Consulting computer systems engineers are more likely to earn this top end figure. (GetAccess, Computer Systems Engineer, 2007)
$55,000-$164,000, having an industry average of $98,552 (Mycareer.com.au, 2007)
Recruitment agency Hays released on the 01 June 2007 released the results from its Salary Survey. The min and max results for a Systems Engineer: NSW: $80,000 - 110,000; VIC: $70,000 - $90,000; QLD: $65,000 - $85,000; SA: $60,000 - $85,000; WA: $60,000 - $80,000; ACT: $60,000 - $80,000 (Careerone.com.au, 2007).
Salary for System Engineers in the public sector range from $60,000-$67,000 (APS Level 6 National Archives of Australia). This position requires no supervision of subordinate staff.
Industry/Organisation
Systems engineers are a necessity to a countless number of organisations. As systems engineers are mostly contracted to other businesses, they can work in many industries and organisations utilising their broad information technology expertise. Public service departments, private businesses and not-for-profit organisations can all require some level of software and hardware suited to their operational needs. (Infin8, Systems Engineer, 2007)
Job Listings
Title: Systems Engineer
Location: http://it.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=54&PageNumber=1&JobID=10131176
,
Company: Talent2
Date: 7 August 2007
Title: Systems Engineer - Microsoft and UNIX
Company: TECSYS IT Recruitment
Date: 8 August 2007
Title: Systems Engineer
Location: http://it.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=79&PageNumber=1&JobID=10157348
Company: Mincom Limited
Date: 9 August 2007
Title: System Engineer - Defence Industry
Company: A leading defence company advertised through Command Recruitment Group
Date: 17 August 2007
Title: Systems Engineer - Attorney Generals Department
Company: Attorney Generals Department
Date: 20 August 2007
Thales Australia. (August, 2007). Senior Systems Engineer. Retrieved 12 August, 2007 from http://staff-exec.recruitasp.com.au/jobtools/jncustomsearch.searchResults (Private Sector)
Seek.com.au (20 August, 2007). Systems Engineer. Retrieved 20 August, 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=140&PageNumber=1&JobID=10255431
Seek.com.au (17 August, 2007). Systems Engineer. Retrieved 20 August, 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=145&PageNumber=1&JobID=10240724
Title: System Engineer - National Archives of Australia
Company: National Archives of Australia
Date: 21 August
Differences
Two of the advertisements applicants must deal directly with an IT recruitment agency instead of the company requiring the Systems Engineer (SE). The position advertised by Tecsys IT Recruitment is a short term contract at $50 - $60 per hour; all other positions are full-time with salary not listed. The position with Mincon required the SE to be placed on an on call roster; the other listings did not have this as a requirement. The role with Tecsys requires a person with Windows, Network and UNIX skills where as the other positions require Windows and Networking skills only. Most of the positions advertised a minimum of 3 to 5 years experience in Systems Engineering, Tecsys did not list this as one of their requirements. The position at Mincon advertised for a SE but the role was more in line with a Systems Administrator as it required the SE to provide system support. The other advertisements required the SE to design, test and integrate systems. (Hockey, 12 August, 2007).
Government positions in the role of Systems Engineering are much more sparce and there appears to be noteable differences in required experience and qualifications. While most of the private industry positions stipulate that a minimum 3 or 4 year degree is required, in searching government listing many advertise tertiary diploma's as worthy qualifications. Many of the government positions also place less importance on previous experience. (Coman, 20 August, 2007)
The two advertisements SMS Management and Technology, and Kinetic Recruitment Services have differences in their qualifications required. To obtain the position in SMS Management and Technology, the company requires five or more years of experience and applicants are expected to have BS in electronics/electrical, physics, or aerospace engineering. This job also prefers the candidate to have an MS degree. To acquire the position in the Kinetic Recruitment Services, the company does not require five years of experience but it expects the applicant to have experience in software and hardware integration and systems. The company also requires tertiary qualifications in software or electrical/electronic engineering. Similarities in the two job advertisements are that they both require applicants to be Australian citizens, and the candidates must be eligible to acquire an Australian Department of defence security clearance. This is necessary because of the level of Defence and government work undertaken. (Tran, 21 August, 2007)
The system engineer vacancy at the National Archives of Australia (NAA), requires the applicant to have relevant tertiary qulaitfications or, experience relevant to the position that could equate to a tertiary qualification. The position requires a minimum of two years experience in either Windows 2003/2000 administration or alternatively experience in an the administration of a Linux based system, this is less experienced than the positions within the private sector require, but this could reflect the current vacancy rate across the Australian Public Service as a whole. The position within the NAA also requires a focus on the development of documentation and standard operating procedures and policies, this differs from the private sector position, as they for the most part require more of an administrative or support role. Similiar to the positions at the Department of Defence, this position requires a security clearance to the Confidential level. Similiar to other positions within the APS there is also a focus on continuos improvement.
Other References Used
Careerone. (June, 2007). Sector Commentary, Information Technology. Retrieved 12 August, 2007 from http://www.careerone.com.au/webdav/site/jobs/shared/salary_survey07/information_technology.pdf
GetAccess government education department, Computer Systems Engineer, Retrieved 7 August 2007 from http://www.getaccess.wa.gov.au/careers/profiles/data/OCC308.asp
Infin8 Networks, 2007, Careers, http://www.infinite.net.au/about/ Retrieved 17th August 2007
Lakos. C, Esser. R, Kristensen. L, & Billington. J 2002. Research and Practice in Information Technology, Vol.12, Formal Methods in Software Engineering 2002, Australian Computer Society Inc., Adelaide, South Australia
Mycareer, Engineering Salary Centre , Retrieved 8 August 2007 from http://content.mycareer.com.au/salary-centre/engineering/
Mycareer, Systems Engineer - Microsoft and UNIX, 8 August 2007 from http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/bendigo-3550-vic/it-telecommunications/network-systems-administration/5250453+systems+engineer+microsoft+and+unix.aspx
National Archives of Australia, Systems Engineer. Retrieved 20 August 2007 from http://naa.nga.net.au/fnt_jobs_list.cfm?
Seek.com.au (20 August, 2007). Systems Engineer. Retrieved 20 August, 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=140&PageNumber=1&JobID=10255431
Seek.com.au (17 August, 2007). Systems Engineer. Retrieved 20 August, 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=145&PageNumber=1&JobID=10240724
Seek IT Jobs, Systems Engineer, Retrieved 7 August 2007 from http://it.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=54&PageNumber=1&JobID=10131176
Seek IT Jobs, Systems Engineer, Retrieved 9 August 2007 from http://it.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=79&PageNumber=1&JobID=10157348&
Thales Australia. (August, 2007). Senior Systems Engineer. Retrieved 12 August, 2007 from http://staff-exec.recruitasp.com.au/jobtools/jncustomsearch.searchResults (Private Sector)
Wikipedia, Systems engineering, Retrieved 10 August 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_engineer
Wikipedia, System lifecycle, Retrieved 10 August 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_lifecycle
The format for the job listings is incorrect. The job listings must be a reference list in alphabetical order. If you added info here can you please fix - thanks!