What does a Principal Systems Analyst do?

Updated January 8, 2025
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Principal systems analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real principal systems analyst resumes:

  • Manage a regional information center responsible for training and empowering users to develop user generate mainframe and PC base business applications.
  • Project knowledge and artifacts transition to QA team.
  • Develop tracking mechanisms to catalog and track staff action packages for COCOMs utilize by OSD, DoD and OGAs.
  • Produce reports documenting RF/EW vulnerability assessments for DoD customers.
  • Contribute to design and build out of high-availability Linux infrastructure.
  • Provide individual support and system administration for Honeywell UNIX systems including network support and configuration.
  • Produce and maintain collection system for state judges and state police retirement contributions which enable payroll department to operate more efficiently.
  • Convert requirements into epics, stories and tasks for development team using agile software development methodology.

Principal systems analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Principal Systems Analysts are proficient in Data Analysis, HR, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Principal Systems Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Data Analysis, 14%

    Performed data analysis on data being imported to MedMeasures to ensure data quality.

  • HR, 11%

    Identified, recommended and planned for new technologies to support improvement in services and capability for global HR.

  • Project Management, 11%

    Performed Project Management including resource and work effort estimation for project phases.

  • DOD, 6%

    Produced reports documenting RF/EW vulnerability assessments for DoD customers.

  • Java, 6%

    Designed and developed 30+ automation utilities using Java & C# to optimize team s productivity.

  • Architecture, 5%

    Interfaced between military officers and BAH to define requirements, and planned and deployed product and architecture solutions.

Common skills that a principal systems analyst uses to do their job include "data analysis," "hr," and "project management." You can find details on the most important principal systems analyst responsibilities below.

Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a principal systems analyst to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important." Principal systems analysts often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "served as a lead analyst on a major effort to convert the inventory finance system from vsam to db2. "

Analytical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling principal systems analyst duties is analytical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." According to a principal systems analyst resume, here's how principal systems analysts can utilize analytical skills in their job responsibilities: "work with guide application, capital markets experience, business analysis skills, informatica skills and oracle bi publisher reporting experience. "

Communication skills. This is an important skill for principal systems analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how principal systems analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a principal systems analyst: "modified erp system to improve workflow and communication in shipping/receiving and production departments, improving team member and management morale. ".

All principal systems analyst skills

The three companies that hire the most principal systems analysts are:

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Principal Systems Analyst Resume
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Principal Systems Analyst Resume
Principal Systems Analyst Resume
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Principal Systems Analyst Resume
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Principal Systems Analyst Resume

Compare different principal systems analysts

Principal systems analyst vs. Analyst lead

The duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials. Through the results, an analyst lead can provide advice, devise strategies for business optimization, spearhead the development of processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer recommendations on areas in need of improvement. All of this is done while in adherence to the company's vision and mission.

If we compare the average principal systems analyst annual salary with that of an analyst lead, we find that analyst leads typically earn a $15,881 lower salary than principal systems analysts make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between principal systems analysts and analyst leads are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like data analysis, hr, and project management.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between principal systems analysts and analyst lead. For instance, principal systems analyst responsibilities require skills such as "architecture," "windows server," "technical support," and "missile." Whereas a analyst lead is skilled in "analytics," "customer service," "excellent interpersonal," and "powerpoint." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Analyst leads earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $110,488. On the other hand, principal systems analysts are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $115,035.The education levels that analyst leads earn slightly differ from principal systems analysts. In particular, analyst leads are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a principal systems analyst. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Principal systems analyst vs. Analyst

Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.

A career as a analyst brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a principal systems analyst. In fact, analysts salary is $38,138 lower than the salary of principal systems analysts per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Principal systems analysts and analysts both require similar skills like "data analysis," "hr," and "project management" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, principal systems analyst responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "architecture," "linux," "business process," and "windows server." Meanwhile, an analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "troubleshoot," "strong analytical," and "digital transformation." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, analysts earn a lower salary than principal systems analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, analysts earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $79,330. Whereas principal systems analysts have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $115,035.In general, analysts achieve lower levels of education than principal systems analysts. They're 5.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Principal systems analyst vs. Systems engineer

Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.

On average scale, systems engineers bring in lower salaries than principal systems analysts. In fact, they earn a $28,311 lower salary per year.By looking over several principal systems analysts and systems engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "project management," "dod," and "java." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, principal systems analysts are more likely to have skills like "data analysis," "hr," "architecture," and "business process." But a systems engineer is more likely to have skills like "python," "c++," "database," and "troubleshoot."

Systems engineers earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $96,218. Principal systems analysts earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $115,035.When it comes to education, systems engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to principal systems analysts. In fact, they're 4.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Principal systems analyst vs. Senior analyst

A senior analyst's responsibilities will vary in every organization or industry. However, their primary role is to gain an understanding of a company's strengths and weaknesses. Through this, they can devise strategies and determine new opportunities that would be significant in attaining financial gains and a more substantial client base. Furthermore, it is a senior analyst's responsibility to coordinate with various departments, and even clients, to establish a rapport that will be essential in gaining the needed information to catapult a company to its finest.

Senior analysts average a lower salary than the annual salary of principal systems analysts. The difference is about $26,346 per year.While both principal systems analysts and senior analysts complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like data analysis, hr, and project management, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A principal systems analyst uses "architecture," "windows server," "missile," and "financial systems." Senior analysts are more likely to have duties that require skills in "analytics," "tableau," "strong analytical," and "power bi. "In general, senior analysts earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $91,818. The highest-paying industry for a principal systems analyst is the professional industry.The average resume of senior analysts showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to principal systems analysts. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.

Types of principal systems analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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