System engineer

I - What is a System Engineer?

What is the role of a system engineer?

A system engineer is an IT professional in charge ofsetup, of the setup And of the maintenance systems. For each system under his care, he ensures the data protection And at the high availability servers to respond to user needs.

Involved at each stage of the life cycle of a system, he is responsible forneeds analysis, development, testing, updating and replacement of equipment, all in collaboration with management, IT teams and suppliers.

Contrary to popular belief, his expertise is not limited to conventional computer environments: he can also work on mechanical, electrical or even industrial systems.

What are the missions of a system engineer?

The missions of the system engineer vary depending on the sector in which they work and the life stage of a system. However, in each sector, the following missions are found:

• System development : he oversees the development of the system. Upstream, he collaborates with the various actors of the project to precisely analyze the needs to which the system will have to respond.
• Testing and deployment : once the system is created, it must be tested in order to verify that it meets the expected requirements. During these test sentences, its role is to identify the areas of vulnerability And the improvement points. Once the adjustments have been made and the new test phase validated, the system can be deployed.
• System maintenance : when working on systems already deployed, the system engineer is responsible for diagnosing And of solve problems, as well as to ensure the necessary updates and improvements to guarantee their performance and security.

Who are its main interlocutors?

On a daily basis, thesystem engineer does not work alone, he collaborates with developers, of network administrators And the helpdesk, always with the aim of optimizing the operation of system.

He is also required to discuss with the managements, the project managers And the IT service providers.

II - What are the skills and qualities required to do this job?

This job requires a set of technical skills and soft skills.

Technical skills

• Mastery of operating systems (Linux, Windows, Unix, MacOS etc.) and databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MongoDB etc.).
• Knowledge in virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V) and cloud computing (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Skills in Scripting And in automation (Bash, Python, PowerShell).
• Skills in networks, security and storage : TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, DHCP, VPN, VPN, firewall, access management and computer security protocols.

Soft Skills

• Rigor, organization and meaning ofparses : this is necessary to quickly diagnose and resolve incidents.
• Communication : you need to be able to clearly explain technical topics to uninformed teams.
• Adaptability And watch constant technological : as the IT environment evolves at full speed, to stay up to date and guarantee reliable and efficient systems, the system engineer has no choice but to keep up to date.
• Good relational and ability to working as a team.

III - How to become a system engineer?

Recommended academic paths

To access a System engineer position, it is often recommended to follow a Bac + 5 level training oriented towardscomputer science, networks and telecommunications. Here are several possible post-baccalaureate courses:

• BTS SIO (IT Services for Organizations) or BUT Informatics, which offer the first technical skills in operating systems And in systems administration.
• Professional licenses and specialized masters to deepen the installation of computer architectures, the management of operating systems And the data protection.
• Les engineering schools allow them to acquire advanced expertise in the management of infrastructures and operating systems.

Professional certifications

Whether you are a recent graduate or a current system engineer, earning professional certifications recognized is a plus to both distinguish yourself on the job market and at the same time to strengthen your expertise. Here are some examples of training courses:

• CCNA for skills in computer science, networks and telecommunications,
• ITIL, which helps implement efficient IT processes,
• Microsoft, Red Hat certifications, specialized in operating systems and systems administration.

Practical experience and internships

Practical experience, acquired through internships Or work-study courses, allows students to apply their knowledge in concrete terms. Working on real projects promotes the development of technical and behavioral skills while being a differentiating asset when looking for a first job.

IV - What are the prospects for developments? What remuneration?

Development perspectives

A system engineer can evolve into positions of responsibility Like that of Lead System Engineer, where he will supervise a team of engineers. It is also possible to move towards positions such as that of Project manager/IT manager or System architect, where he is responsible for designing and managing large-scale projects.

By specializing, it is possible to broaden these perspectives of evolution: he can turn to fields such as cybersecurity, the Cloud or the management of complex projects, sectors in high demand with growing needs for expertise.

Remuneration

Many factors come into play (missions, sector, scope, scope, size of the company, location, atypical skills, etc.). To give an idea of remuneration, here are forks from Apec according to the following parameters: System engineer F/H, Bac+5 (engineering school), consulting firm with 599 to 999 employees, Île-de-France.

• Junior (< 4 years of experience) : 38.5 to 49.3 million euros gross/year
• Confirmed (6—8 years old) : 41.3 to 52.9 k€ gross/year
• Senior (9—16 years) : 46.6 to 60.2 million euros gross/year

For a more accurate estimate, adapted to your profile and our projects, we invite you to consult our job offers.

V - The job of system engineer at IT Link: discover Christophe's testimony

I joined the IT Link Group in 2023 as a system engineer, working with various customers in the rail sector. My role is to design and deploy robust and secure IT infrastructures, in perfect harmony with their specific requirements.

Each project represents a new challenge, mobilizing my expertise in network architectures, clouds and embedded systems. Currently, I am working on a complex system where my missions revolve around:

• 60% design and specification on topics related to cybersecurity, IT and railways,
• 20% project monitoring and coordination in meetings,
• 20% V&V support and ticket management.

This diversity of missions allows me to evolve in a stimulating environment, where innovation and rigor are essential.

Conclusion

The job of system engineer is not limited to a specific field: it operates in various sectors such as IT, aeronautics, energy or the automotive industry. Its expertise is essential to design, optimize and ensure the reliability of the systems on which many infrastructures are based.

In addition to technical skills, this profession requires rigor, analytical skills and adaptability in the face of constant technological developments.

It is a dynamic career, rich in challenges and opportunities, ideal for those who want to combine technical expertise and strategic vision in environments that are constantly changing.

Are you looking for a new challenge?

Discover all of our opportunities in system engineering on our Talents website.

To deepen your knowledge of this demanding profession, dive into the articles in our Blog.

Together, let's take your career to new heights!