System Engineer: Key Skills & Q&A with Maddison Barrota
Meet Maddison
System Engineer
Maddison is a System Engineer dedicated to optimizing network performance and ensuring seamless operations for her team. She plays a key role in network routing and switching, security, and system maintenance to support critical IT functions. Maddison actively collaborates with her team to triage and resolve incidents efficiently while assisting with proactive network monitoring and implementing system improvements to enhance overall performance.
Top 5 System Engineering Skills
Maddison’s key skills that have lead to her success:
- Problem-Solving
- Adaptable
- Teamwork
- Motivation & Eagerness to Learn
- Communication
Q: What’s the most important skill in your role?
A: Problem-Solving. Systems engineering is all about tackling complex challenges, and there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. Thinking critically and approaching issues from different angles is essential to keeping systems running efficiently.
Q: What’s something surprising about your job?
A: The pace of technological change. In systems engineering, you are never really “done” learning. New tools, platforms, and best practices emerge constantly, making continuous education a necessary part of the job.
Q: What’s a skill you use daily that people might not expect?
A: Communication. While technical expertise is critical, a big part of my job is translating complex issues into clear, actionable information for different teams. Whether it is documenting processes, explaining an issue, or collaborating on solutions, strong communication skills make a huge impact.
Q: If someone is great at strategic thinking, why should they consider this career?
A: If you enjoy problem-solving, systems engineering is a great fit, every day brings new challenges, and you get to design, optimize, and troubleshoot solutions that directly impact organizations and projects. It is a rewarding career for those who love tackling complex problems head-on.
Q: What’s the best part about working at GovCIO?
A: The opportunities. GovCIO offers a great environment for professional growth, exposure to innovative projects, and the chance to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about technology and its impact.
Q: Finally, what’s your “get stuff done” anthem?
A: “Hall of Fame” by The Script embodies ambition and perseverance. It is a reminder to stay focused, push past challenges, and give my best effort every day.
Recruiter Do’s and Don’ts
Looking to land a Systems Engineer role? Here’s what recruiters look for—and what to avoid—to make your resume shine!
A strong systems engineer resume highlights both technical expertise and problem solving impact. Keep it focused, results-driven, and aligned with the job description.
Apply today for a career at GovCIO.
DOs:
- Showcase Problem-Solving Abilities: Systems engineering is all about tackling complex challenges. Highlight projects where you identified and resolved critical system issues.
- Demonstrate Technical Expertise: Mention experience with network security, cloud computing, automation, or troubleshooting, as well as relevant certifications like CCNA, Security+, or AWS.
- Emphasize Adaptability: Technology evolves rapidly. Show how you’ve learned new tools, implemented updates, or optimized existing systems to stay ahead.
- Highlight Collaboration & Communication: Systems engineers work across teams. Showcase your ability to explain technical issues to non-technical audiences and collaborate effectively.
- Use Metrics to Show Impact: Quantify achievements whenever possible (e.g. “Reduced system downtime by 35% through proactive monitoring and automation”).
DON’Ts:
- Be Too Vague: Instead of stating that you “managed change initiatives,” provide specifics about your role, challenges and results.
- Overload with Buzzwords: Words like “transformational leader” sound great, but without real examples, they lose impact.
- List Every Job Duty: Focus on key achievements rather than writing a laundry list of responsibilities.
- Forget to Show Adaptability: Change managers need to be flexible—highlight how you’ve successfully navigated shifting priorities.
- Ignore Formatting: Keep it clean and structured—bulleted lists, clear headings, and concise wording make your resume easier to read.
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