Occupations/15-1299.08

Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.

Certificate or two-year

Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.

AI automation risk

68%

Higher automation risk

Human characteristics

51%

Balanced human and task mix

Task orientation

70%

Higher automation risk

A day in this job

  • Mostly human

    Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.

  • Mostly routine

    Monitor system operation to detect potential problems.

  • Mostly routine

    Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems.

Split from the wording of these tasks, shown next to the occupation’s AI risk. It is not a separate score for each task, and it is not a forecast that the job disappears.

Core tasks

  1. 01Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.
  2. 02Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes, and make recommendations regarding component use.
  3. 03Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems.
  4. 04Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems.
  5. 05Direct the installation of operating systems, network or application software, or computer or network hardware.
  6. 06Monitor system operation to detect potential problems.

Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)

  • Repeating same tasks3.70
  • Degree of automation2.71
  • Time sitting4.00
  • Originality (ability)3.75
  • Conflict situations3.05
  • Hands-on objects/tools2.95
  • Outdoors / weather1.62
  • Disease exposure1.29
  • Decision freedom4.00

Top abilities

  • Written Expression4.00
  • Written Comprehension4.00
  • Problem Sensitivity4.00
  • Oral Expression4.00
  • Oral Comprehension4.00
  • Inductive Reasoning4.00
  • Deductive Reasoning4.00
  • Information Ordering3.88

Essential skills

  • Reading Comprehension4.00
  • Active Listening4.00
  • Writing3.88
  • Speaking3.88
  • Mathematics3.00
  • Science3.00
  • Critical Thinking4.00
  • Active Learning3.62
  • Learning Strategies3.00
  • Monitoring3.50

CIP matches

11.0101Computer and Information Sciences, General11.0301Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician11.0401Information Science/Studies11.0701Computer Science11.1005Information Technology Project Management26.1103Bioinformatics26.1104Computational Biology30.0801Mathematics and Computer Science30.1601Accounting and Computer Science30.3001Computational Science30.3101Human Computer Interaction40.0512Cheminformatics/Chemistry Informatics43.0403Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism51.2706Medical Informatics

Schools offering related programs

12 of 96 shown

Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.

InstitutionProgramTuitionAdmitGrad 6-yrEarnings

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit

Computer Science

11.0701

$62,4004%96%

1 yr $147,858

2 yr $136,499

Bachelor's · CIP 11.07

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.0101

$15,20024%87%

1 yr $109,429

2 yr $110,878

Bachelor's · CIP 11.01

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.0101

$14,80011%93%

1 yr $109,392

2 yr $120,462

Bachelor's · CIP 11.01

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private nonprofit

Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.0101

$68,2004%96%

1 yr $103,078

2 yr $100,127

Master's · CIP 11.01

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public

Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.0101

$17,70018%93%

1 yr $101,903

2 yr $94,281

Bachelor's · CIP 11.01

Georgetown University

Washington, DC · Private nonprofit

Computer Science

11.0701

$65,40012%95%

1 yr $93,342

2 yr $88,639

Bachelor's · CIP 11.07

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA · Public

Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.0101

$11,80017%91%

1 yr $88,731

2 yr $91,152

Bachelor's · CIP 11.01

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public

Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.0101

$11,70031%88%

1 yr $87,663

2 yr $79,558

Bachelor's · CIP 11.01

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public

Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.0101

$14,60065%73%

1 yr $86,867

2 yr —

Master's · CIP 11.01

University of St Thomas

St. Paul, MN · Private nonprofit

Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.0101

$50,20077%82%

1 yr $84,021

2 yr $88,527

Master's · CIP 11.01

New York University

New York, NY · Private nonprofit

Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.0101

$60,40012%88%

1 yr $81,158

2 yr $79,957

Bachelor's · CIP 11.01

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.0101

$13,20063%83%

1 yr $78,244

2 yr $77,024

Bachelor's · CIP 11.01