Systems programmer

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

Responsibilities of the job include:

• researching and examining current systems and consulting users
• liaising with colleagues such as systems analysts and designers
• writing software and operating manuals
• training users
• providing support and responding to feedback
• testing and modifying systems to ensure that they operate reliably
• fault finding and fixing.

There are excellent promotional prospects for employees willing to move into managerial positions or to change jobs regularly.

Typical employers of systems programmers

Most systems programmers are employed by computer manufacturers and systems software houses. Self-employment via contract and consultancy work is increasingly common for programmers with relevant experience.

Jobs are advertised online, by careers services and recruitment agencies, and in local or national newspapers and relevant publications such as TARGETjobs IT, Computing and Computer Weekly. Directories such as the Computer Users' Year Book and the Handbook of Information Technology may be useful for speculative applications.

Qualifications and training required

Employers normally prefer graduates with degrees in appropriate subjects such as physics, mathematics, computer science/engineering and microelectronics. For graduates without relevant qualifications, a postgraduate IT conversion course or a technical postgraduate degree can be of benefit. Relevant work experience is also often necessary.

Key skills for systems programmers

• resourcefulness
• meticulousness
• logical thinking
• good analytical skills
• problem solving skills.