What does a Principal Systems Analyst do?
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. ".
The three companies that hire the most principal systems analysts are:
- GGeneral Dynamics Mission Systems
223 principal systems analysts jobs
- GGeneral Dynamics99 principal systems analysts jobs
- FFidelity Investments7 principal systems analysts jobs
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Types of principal systems analyst
Updated January 8, 2025