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Information Technology

System Engineer Architect

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

Annual openings

761

Median wage

$139,580

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Growth 2026–2032

+12%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

Two to five years as a Computer Hardware Engineer or significant experience in a related occupation.

Remote work

Some companies (information technology companies for example) and jobs (such as call center support) offer the opportunity for staff to work remotely, including from rural locations. To see if a job offers this opportunity, please review job postings from job banks such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed or ConnectingColorado, and look for key words such as "location independent", "remote", "virtual", "telecommute", "flex" or for companies posting the same job in many locations.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.
  2. Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes, and make recommendations regarding component use.
  3. Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems.
  4. Direct the installation of operating systems, network or application software, or computer or network hardware.
  5. Monitor system operation to detect potential problems.
  6. Identify system data, hardware, or software components required to meet user needs.
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