Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software

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Research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications. Set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements. Apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis.

tasks jobzones knowledge skills abilities work_activities work_context interests work_styles work_values

Tasks

  • Specify power supply requirements and configuration.

  • Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation.

  • Utilize microcontrollers to develop control signals, implement control algorithms and measure process variables such as temperatures, pressures and positions.

  • Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration.

  • Prepare reports and correspondence concerning project specifications, activities and status.

  • Confer with data processing and project managers to obtain information on limitations and capabilities for data processing projects.

  • Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.

  • Train users to use new or modified equipment.

  • Monitor functioning of equipment to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.

  • Coordinate installation of software system.

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Job Zone

  • Name: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

  • Experience: A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

  • Education: Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

  • Job training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

  • Examples: Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

  • Svp range: (7.0 to < 8.0)

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Knowledge

Browse Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • Mathematics
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

  • Engineering and Technology
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

  • Design
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • Education and Training
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • English Language
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • Customer and Personal Service
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

  • Telecommunications
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

  • Clerical
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

  • Communications and Media
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

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Skills

Browse Skills

  • Complex Problem Solving
    Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

  • Active Learning
    Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

  • Critical Thinking
    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

  • Troubleshooting
    Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

  • Reading Comprehension
    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

  • Technology Design
    Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

  • Mathematics
    Using mathematics to solve problems.

  • Programming
    Writing computer programs for various purposes.

  • Systems Analysis
    Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

  • Operations Analysis
    Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

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Abilities

Browse Abilities

  • Oral Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

  • Deductive Reasoning
    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

  • Oral Comprehension
    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

  • Written Comprehension
    The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

  • Information Ordering
    The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • Near Vision
    The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

  • Written Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

  • Problem Sensitivity
    The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

  • Mathematical Reasoning
    The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

  • Number Facility
    The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

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Work Activities

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Work Context

  • Face-to-Face Discussions
    How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

  • Electronic Mail
    How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

  • Work With Work Group or Team
    How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

  • Structured versus Unstructured Work
    To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
    How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

  • Spend Time Sitting
    How much does this job require sitting?

  • Telephone
    How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

  • Freedom to Make Decisions
    How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

  • Contact With Others
    How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

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Interests

Browse Interests

  • Realistic
    Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

  • Investigative
    Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

  • Conventional
    Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

  • Enterprising
    Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • Artistic
    Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

  • Social
    Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

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Work Styles

  • Analytical Thinking
    Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

  • Attention to Detail
    Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

  • Cooperation
    Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

  • Initiative
    Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

  • Achievement/Effort
    Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

  • Integrity
    Job requires being honest and ethical.

  • Innovation
    Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

  • Adaptability/Flexibility
    Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

  • Dependability
    Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

  • Persistence
    Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

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Work Values

Browse Work Values

  • Ability Utilization
    Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities.

  • Working Conditions
    Workers on this job have good working conditions.

  • Achievement-Mean Extent
    Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

  • Creativity
    Workers on this job try out their own ideas.

  • Responsibility
    Workers on this job make decisions on their own.

  • Independence-Mean Extent
    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

  • Achievement
    Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment.

  • Activity
    Workers on this job are busy all the time.

  • Social Status
    Workers on this job are looked up to by others in their company and their community.

  • Autonomy
    Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision.

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