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Systems designer/builder

Systems designers (also known as systems builders or architects) analyse, design and modify networks, computer systems and websites.

Computers were used to perform real-time data processing for the first time during the 1960s, when real-time applications were developed for airline reservation systems.

Systems designer job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

The skills of systems designers are called upon when new networks, websites or IT systems are required or when operational problems are encountered with existing systems.

Typical requirements of the job include:

researching current arrangements
consulting clients and systems analysts about required specifications
producing designs that utilise suitable software and hardware
liaising with other IT staff such as software engineers and programmers
producing, installing and implementing the new system
testing and modifying it to ensure that that it operates reliably.

Typical employers of systems designers

software firms
IT consultancies
large engineering, telecommunications and computer companies
major commercial and industrial organisations
retailers
the Civil Service
financial institutions.

Self-employment is often possible for designers with several years' experience.

Jobs are advertised online, by careers services and recruitment agencies, in local/national newspapers and in publications such as TARGETjobs IT, Computing and Computer Weekly. Speculative applications are advisable, for which The Computer Users' Yearbook may be useful.

Qualifications and training required

Computer literacy and familiarity with programming languages and relevant software is essential to the job. Few designers enter the profession immediately after graduation: the majority begin their careers as programmers or analysts.

Graduates with a computer science or software engineering degree are generally preferred, although a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematics degree and/or programming experience gained during placements and vacation work may also be helpful. For graduates without experience or a relevant qualification, a postgraduate IT conversion course can be of benefit.