Armed with a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, interested individuals can pursue a career in information systems engineering. Positions in information systems engineering exist in both the public and private sector, and can focus on a variety of specializations. Additional education, such as certification and a master's degree, can provide a competitive edge in a slow-growing field.
Essential Information
Information systems engineers design, implement, and maintain computer systems that collect, process, store, and present data. Many industries and fields make use of these professionals, including government agencies and private corporations. Information systems engineers typically have a bachelor's degree in systems engineering or a similar computer-related discipline. In addition, some in this career field pursue a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, though it is not mandatory.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree in systems engineering or a related discipline |
| Other Requirements | CISSP certification (optional) |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 10% (for all computer and information systems managers) |
| Median Salary (2021)** | $76,226 (for IT systems engineer) |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **PayScale.com
Salary Information for an Information Systems Engineer
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't report salary information for information systems engineers. However, PayScale.com reports that most IT systems engineers earned between $53,000 and $108,000 per year as of 2021, with the median salary of $76,226.
Education Requirements for an Information Systems Engineer
A Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering or an equivalent discipline is the minimum education requirement for an information systems engineer, although some employers might prefer a master's degree. An information systems engineering degree program blends math and business courses with computer science, systems engineering and architecture. Students are introduced to design and development concepts, as well as management and testing techniques for databases, network security and neural networks. Many degree programs, whether undergraduate or graduate, require students to work on independent research projects.
Certification Information and Requirements
While it's not mandatory, some professionals pursue certification to lend credentials to their expertise. Becoming a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) involves a 4-step process. Eligibility to take the certification exam requires a minimum amount of work experience or a combination of a degree and work experience. In addition to passing the exam, candidates must be endorsed and go through an auditing process to verify professional experience and expertise. Professionals can pursue additional credentials following CISSP designation, including Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP), Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP) and Information Systems Security Management Professional (ISSMP).
Career Information for an Information Systems Engineer
Information systems engineering is a multi-disciplinary field that incorporates math, business and computer science. Information systems engineers design, develop, test and maintain systems used primarily for data. Information systems can come in many forms, including geographic information systems, image metrology processing or communication networks. Information systems engineers are employed in public and private sectors, including defense agencies, medical industries or financial corporations.
As a field that encompasses many different subjects, the best information systems engineers have strong business, math and computer science skills. They must also possess great communication, problem-solving and organization skills.
