I later realized that the world of IT infrastructure is more complex than just black and white after speaking with both system administrators and system engineers. I spoke with a system administrator who was solely concerned with the implementation of systems, others who were managing automated server landscapes, some who were actively involved in the automation processes, and a third group who oversaw the concept, design, and implementation of systems throughout their entire life cycle. I conversed with a similar range of System Engineers on the opposing side.
I looked through a lot of websites and blogs to find the solution because I wasn’t going to give up until I found an explanation. I discovered during my search that the subject was heavily and widely discussed; I also discovered evidence in blogs and discussions that, in most cases, the title made the difference. However, I believe that because of the evolving IT landscape, the gap between these two roles has become smaller. Companies today require hybrid engineers who can handle implementation and automation tasks as well as infrastructure maintenance work.
That assertion is supported by a case study from my own recruitment career: I was working with two different candidates, one of whom was a System Engineer and the other a System Administrator, but they both possessed very similar skill sets, including those involving automation tools like Puppet and Ansible. I introduced them to a company that was seeking a System Engineer. The System Administrator was finally selected for the position!
SYSTEMS ADMIINISTRATOR & SYSTEMS ENGINEER – Explained
What is a system engineer?
System engineers are experts who define stakeholders, clients, and key functions when creating services or products using information technology knowledge. Combining engineering management and academic engineering disciplines, system engineering focuses on integration, managing complex systems, and system design. System engineers also assess how well-functioning a system’s components are and how they can cooperate to further the system’s objectives.
What is a system administrator?
System administrators build and maintain operational computer systems. These IT specialists, also referred to as sysadmins, ensure that a system’s functionality, security, uptime, and resources satisfy user needs while staying within predetermined spending limits. To address these requirements, system administrators might troubleshoot, upgrade, buy software, provide technical support, or install computer software or components.
Differences between system engineers vs. system administrators
The following are some of the primary variations in these professionals’ job duties, compensation, and educational prerequisites:
Job responsibilities
System administrators and engineers both work with technological systems, but their responsibilities differ.
System administrators manage and support information technology infrastructure through:
System engineers, as opposed to system administrators, concentrate on developing and enhancing systems through four predetermined stages:
System engineers make sure all system elements are well-integrated. Their duties include:
How to become a system engineer vs. system administrator
All system administrators and engineers must possess the necessary training, credentials, and licenses. However, the qualifications and degrees required to work in these fields vary.
Follow these steps to become a system engineer:
Follow these steps to become a system administrator:
Salaries
FAQ
Which is better system administrator or system engineer?
A systems engineer has more control over the design of the systems than a systems administrator does. A systems engineer can decide which operating system to use, what infrastructure and software will be used, what is the best solution for a particular issue, etc.
What is the role of a system engineer?
The responsibility of a systems engineer is to identify issues with particular systems. In addition to designing new systems, updating hardware, and maintaining an existing system, they provide solutions for problems they encounter during the process.
What is an engineering systems administrator?
Sysadmins are in charge of overseeing, resolving issues with, obtaining licenses for, and updating hardware and software assets. You’ll make sure that proactive steps are taken to address unanticipated problems like IT outages or zero-day vulnerabilities.
