Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Machines can already do 44% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 71%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 44% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 31% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2029, and 71% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 435,370 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $116,580 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 64% for contact with people.
- Also called: Infrastructure Engineer, IT Architect (Information Technology Architect), IT Engineer (Information Technology Engineer), Network and Infrastructure Engineer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements | 7% | 30% to 60% | |
| Collaborate with engineers or software developers to select appropriate design solutions or ensure the compatibility of system components | 6% | 20% to 45% | |
| Document design specifications, installation instructions, and other system-related information | 6% | 78% to 97% | |
| Provide technical guidance or support for the development or troubleshooting of systems | 6% | 68% to 88% | |
| Develop system engineering, software engineering, system integration, or distributed system architectures | 6% | 76% to 96% | |
| Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems | 5% | 10% to 30% | |
| Verify stability, interoperability, portability, security, or scalability of system architecture | 5% | 25% to 65% | |
| Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes, and make recommendations regarding component use | 4% | 30% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills computer systems engineers/architects use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Computer and Information Systems Managers65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $175,140
- Information Security Engineers67% of tasks by 2035 · US median $116,580
- Petroleum Engineers66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $144,910
- Chief Information Officers59% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Computer Systems Engineers/Architects?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2029. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of computer systems engineers/architects?
Machines can do 44% of the tasks of computer systems engineers/architects today and 71% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 15-1299.08 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Computer Systems Engineers/Architects: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/computer-systems-engineers-architects/