Desktop engineers provide support and implementation services to business infrastructures. This job has a number of different titles. It could be called desktop systems engineer, desktop support, support technician, helpdesk engineer or desktop deployment engineer. Desktop engineers need to have extensive knowledge of the software used by the business, as well as the operating systems and hardware peripherals that may be in use.

Duties

A desktop engineer is used to set up the computer infrastructure needed for the business. This duty could be as simple as installing operating systems on a few office machines or as extensive as setting up a network of hundreds of computers. Desktop engineers install needed operating systems, software and hardware. Peripheral support for printers and servers might also fall under a desktop engineer's control.

Education

Desktop engineer educational requirements vary from employer to employer. Some employers require an associate's or bachelor's degree in computer science or computer engineering, others may require certifications such as CompTIA's A+, and still others value hands on experience more highly than certifications or degrees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that many desktop engineers and support technicians receive on the job training in their duties.

Work Place

Desktop engineers work in office environments in most cases. Some companies require their engineers to travel between different work sites. There are remote support technologies that are allowing companies to cut down on their desktop engineer travel times, as common problems can be diagnosed and fixed over a remote connection.

Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary of desktop engineers, as of July 2008, is $43,450. The top 10 percent of salaries is reported as over $70,750. The computer support job market is expected to increase 14 percent between 2008 and 2018.

Advancement

Desktop engineers can specialize in certain technologies or go into a management position over other desktop engineers. Advancement into other types of computer sciences such as programming or software design is also possible.