How to Become a Systems Engineer

Systems engineers create and operate blueprints for different kinds of systems across the industry spectrum. Many companies who are using technology require a systems engineer to keep systems functioning, updated and improving.

Every product has a system; the word literally means the inner workings of said product. In a system, things – from machine cogs to sophisticated algorithms – are working together to make the product function.

Even if the products don’t noticeably change on the outside, the systems in them are constantly being upgraded and refreshed to make them more user-friendly. This means products can have more competitive features and stay relevant in the modern world. 

While systems engineers can work in a range of industries, their job remains consistent; they are hired to look at the inner workings of a company’s systems, and try to constantly improve and upgrade these. 

Therefore, being a systems engineer is more than just looking over systems and ensuring that everything is working. A huge part of a system engineer’s role is to constantly modernise these internal workings. Systems engineers may also be hired to create brand new systems for new products. Becoming a systems engineer involves a mix of working with software and hardware to create the best process possible. 

Parts of a system engineer job description typically include: 

• Studying and analysing existing systems to ensure that they are functioning optimally.
• Screening them for potential issues and taking steps to avoid these before they happen.
• Writing custom scripts for various technologies.
• Researching software, hardware and equipment and constantly updating knowledge of this topic.
• Installing new software for systems. 

It is vital that systems engineers are highly trained, with a deep understanding of and enthusiasm about the inner workings of their company. They should also have statistical skills and be able to deal with probabilities. 

To become a systems engineer, many opt for a degree in a computer-related field, and then gain additional certifications or undertake a related internship and develop an interest for systems engineering through this role. It is possible to study systems engineering at tertiary level, however many people opt for a broader subject at this stage, and most systems engineers have other relevant degrees. Nearly all specialised systems engineering positions require a few years of relevant experience.