Cloud architects are becoming a role necessary to helping business operations run smoothly, and is therefore a career path that has a lot of promise for both growth and stability. Here’s what to know about most cloud architect positions.   

What is a cloud architect?   

Cloud architects are responsible for building a company’s cloud computing strategy, as well as deploying, managing, and supporting cloud applications. Cloud architects usually have an expert-level understanding across several operating systems, and they also have skills and experience in networking, programming, and server security. When hiring for cloud architects, companies usually look for candidates who have a deep understanding of existing cloud services like Amazon Web Services. The best candidates also typically have experience with infrastructure and operations, vendor relationships and management, and IT service management.   

What are the top skills needed to become a cloud architect?  

In addition to experience and knowledge of cloud computing and systems, successful cloud architects come to the table with:  

• Familiarity with the principles of cloud architecture that businesses need to deploy for optimum cloud functionality 
• Experience with scaling cloud applications as a business grows   
• Understanding of the importance of cost and performance in cloud systems 
• Superior collaboration and communication skills  
• Ideally, a knowledge of several state-of-the-art cloud technologies and an ability to stay up to date with industry, technology, and software changes  

Overall, cloud architects typically earn between $117,000 and $196,000 annually. Because of this, the candidates who are hired for these positions have years of experience and often a whole set of cloud-specific qualifications, including AWS certifications and more. 

For those looking into making cloud computing their career, focus on growing your skills in the areas of security (like a deeper understanding of the functionality of firewalls, for instance), networking (becoming more familiar with with HTTP, DNS, IP address, and more), and operating systems (including Linux, Unix, Windows, and others). 

Are you a Cloud Architect Looking For Work? 

Our expert team can help you find your next IT role. If you’re looking to take your career to the next level, give us a call today.   

The post Hot IT Jobs: Cloud Architect Career Guide appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

What are DevOps tools?   

Amazon notes that, “DevOps is the combination of cultural philosophies, practices, and tools that increases an organization’s ability to deliver applications and services at high velocity: evolving and improving products at a faster pace than organizations using traditional software development and infrastructure management processes. This speed enables organizations to better serve their customers and compete more effectively in the market. Under a DevOps model, development and operations teams are no longer ‘siloed.’ Sometimes, these two teams are merged into a single team where the engineers work across the entire application lifecycle, from development and test to deployment to operations, and develop a range of skills not limited to a single function.”   

The merging of these functions has substantial business benefits, and developing the skills and training to work in this area can be a significant step forward in your career.   

Best DevOps tools  

What are the best DevOps tools to get familiar with to help you excel in a DevOps career or readily contribute to a DevOps team?   

• Slack: Believe it or not, the popular chat and collaboration tool is a powerful DevOps tool. It gives team members a clear insight into the workflow. It also allows developers to collaborate using toolchains in the same space they’re communicating with other maintenance and service members for full transparency and superior communication.   
• Ansible: This tool is often featured on best-of lists for DevOps tools. It’s a simple and effective IT orchestration and configuration management tool that helps push new changes within the existing system and configure newly deployed machines. It’s a great tool for businesses looking to lower the costs of infrastructure and quickly scale projects without straining resources.   
• GitHub: This is a longstanding favorite of developers. It allows developers to make rapid versions of code and instantly notifies team members to the change. Because it has a branched history of revisions stored in the tool, it also allows for immediate rollback to previous versions in case of error or fallout.   
• Sentry: This tool is used by Uber and Microsoft and is useful for error and bug detection. It’s a free tool that supports a host of languages, including Ruby, IOS, JavaScript, and others; plus, it also features inbuilt SDKs for customized support of most languages and frameworks. It continuously scans lines of code and sends notifications if it finds an error or problem; when it highlights the problem, it offers a choice of possible solutions that can be incorporated in a click.   

All of these tools are popular, powerful options that help DevOps teams do their best work. Aspiring and current developers should pay attention to these tools to grow their careers.   

Are you looking for your next DevOps opportunity? 

Open Systems is your partner to help you find a great DevOps job that fits your skills with room to grow. Give our expert team a call or apply online to one of our available jobs. 

The post Best DevOps Tools You Should Explore appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

The Rise of the “Minternship”    

A “minternship”, or mid-life internship, is exactly what it sounds like – taking on a role in a company or industry that you have an interest in, but little practical or tangible experience. It’s also usually a role that’s temporary and often not considered a full-time employee, so pay and benefits may not don’t apply. In exchange, you can get guidance and mentorship from professionals at a company that you’re interested in working for or an industry that you’re excited about moving into. Like many college-level internships, this can sometimes lead to a job with the company, but sometimes it is just a learning experience to take with you on the way forward.   

Who Takes a Mid-Life Internship?   

“Minternships” are great for people who are feeling stuck in their current role. Whether it’s an inability to move up in the company, a lack of interest in the type of work, or a downturn in the industry, a mid-career internship can help people comfortably pivot and even get excited about work again. It’s also a great step for people mid-career who lost their jobs due to market disruption, company layoff or needed to take a professional break to attend to personal family or health reasons.   

It’s a risk for some people, as losing income or “starting over” can feel disheartening, but more people are choosing this path because they want to find meaningful work at a company they care about and can commit to for the rest of their career. Most companies are choosing to embrace this trend, as it often brings people who are genuinely excited about the work to their door as opposed to people only motivated by a paycheck.   

If you’re fresh out of your “minternship” or racked up new certifications through continued learning, we’re ready to help you find your next role and grow successfully in your new industry. 

Ready to start a new role? 

Give our team a call today and talk to one of our employment experts about how you can take your next steps forward.   

The post Avoid Career Burnout With a Mid-Career Internship appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

Start preparing before you leave

If you’re leaving for a set amount of time and will be stepping back into the same role and responsibilities, you can take steps to make it easier to come back before you leave. Making sure you have a backup designated for work that comes in while your away as well as an organized inbox can help reduce stress about coming back to the office and help you more easily dive right back in when you return.  

Start preparing before you get back

Whether you’re coming back from vacation or returning to the workforce after some time away, one way to reduce anxiety is to start a routine before you get back into it. If you know that your day will need to start at 5 am for you to get to the gym, get showered, and get to the office, start working up to that routine before your start back date. Having that routine in place can significantly lower the stress of going into a new job or getting back to it after some time away.  

Give yourself a day

If you’re going on vacation or taking a long break, consider taking a day or two after your return before jumping right back into work. Having a short period of transition time (sometimes even just scheduling your trip to end before a weekend) can help keep you focus better when you return to work.   

Consider part-time

Some new parents often start easing back into work after parental leave by going back in for half days. This is also a smart strategy for anyone coming back from a disability leave or a sabbatical, as it helps to create a smoother transition and gives you time to get your feet under you in a renewed routine.  

Ready to get back to work?

If you’re looking to get back to work, Open Systems can help. Call our team of recruiting experts today to help you find the best next job for you in Alpharetta, GA, and beyond.

The post Getting Back in The Zone After a Long Break appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

Knowledge of embedded systems is useful for professionals who want to do work for companies who focus on the Internet of Things (IoT) or are interested in designing systems that can help connect previously analog systems to the cloud. Embedded systems professionals often have job titles like embedded software engineer, system software engineer, and even research and design specialist.   

How can you excel in a career in embedded systems?   

1. Find a mentor: This might be someone in your office, a past supervisor, or even a professor. Finding someone who can offer feedback and guidance about your career path is a very valuable and effective way to grow your career.   
2. Invest in education: Working in embedded systems will require a solid knowledge base. For some, this will be a college degree or an advanced degree, while others will invest in certifications and job experience; for most people, real career advancement will be a combination of all of these things. No matter what path you take, it’s essential to continually update and refine your skills to grow in your career.   
3. Define your goals: Finding the next right step in your career is going to depend on your understanding of what your strengths are and the kind of work you like to do. Understanding these things will help you better shape your goals and give you something to work towards. Do you enjoy project management and delegating tasks? Do you excel at communicating with and organizing teams? If so, management might be a good fit for you and a natural career progression. For some, however, the next career move might be simply finding a company with a better cultural fit working in the same role.   
4. Work with a recruiter: Growing in your career is a matter of finding the right opportunities and being prepared when you do. A recruiter can help with both. Not only do staffing firms have connections with companies who are actively looking to fill roles, but they also have a deep understanding of what these organizations are looking for to help you prepare.   

Are you looking for a new career in embedded systems?

Our industry knowledge can help you find your next role and get connected with the right company to grow your embedded systems career. Give our recruiting team in Alpharetta, GA, a call today.    

The post Tips to Build a Career in Embedded Systems appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

What are avionics technicians?   

Avionics techs are specialized tech professionals who install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, including radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft such as commercial or private airplanes, helicopters, or space vehicles.  

Avionics Technicians perform repairs, upgrades, and modifications to aircraft avionics equipment to ensure that companies and aircraft have components they need to stay in flight. Without these critical components, aircraft would not be able to perform the missions they are designed to deliver.  

What industries do avionics technicians work in?   

Avionics technicians can be found anywhere there’s aircraft. That includes:   

• Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing  
• Nonscheduled and Schedule Air Transportation  
• Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing 
• Scientific Research and Development Services  
• Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
•  Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services  
• National Military Services   

Where do avionics technicians work?   

Avionics technicians, including aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics, usually work in hangars, in repair stations, or on airfields. Some work in manufacturing plants or research labs.   

How does someone become an avionics technician?   

Most aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians learn job skills and industry knowledge at a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved aviation maintenance technician school, while some learn on the job. Many receive training in the military before moving to the private sector.   

What’s the average salary for avionics technicians?   

While salaries will vary based on education, experience, and geographical location, the range for most avionics technicians is from about $30,000 to over $90,000, with the average salary being about $31 an hour or just over $65,000 annually. The states that report the highest salaries for avionics techs include Maryland, New Jersey, Alaska, California, and Massachusetts.   

What is the career outlook for this field?   

Job growth in this field is predicted to rise by 3% through 2028.   

Take your career to new heights! If a career in avionics tech is interesting to you or you want to find your next role in the field, we can help. Get in touch with our team today to find out what companies are hiring and how we can help you find the right role. 

The post Spotlight on Avionics Technicians appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

1. Tighten up your resume: Make 2020 the year of your best resume. Consider consulting with resume writers to ensure that your resume follows the best practices for reaching and making an impact with recruiters. You can also review it to make sure that it’s up to date and includes all relevant experience and any new or recently earned certifications or additional experience.   
2. List your dream companies: A new year is a great time to get perspective, reflect on the past, and plan for the future. Many people take the time to design “vision boards” in their personal life to help give a definitive shape to their goals and aspirations. Consider creating a list of your dream employers – who you’d love to work for based on their culture, products, or anything else you align with. This can help you refocus your efforts and time in your job search, as well as eliminate the applications that don’t meet your new standards and criteria.   
3. Build your brand: Taking the time to focus on what you’re communicating in your online persona is vast. Are you taking advantage of LinkedIn features to the fullest? Getting endorsements and sharing relevant content can help build your brand and credibility as a future employee. Curating your content on other professional or social networks can also play a significant role in shaping the narrative that you are telling employers about yourself before they even meet you.  
4. Network: For some people, in-person networking can be a source of anxiety, but it’s an essential part of career growth. The new year is an opportunity to get outside of your comfort zone and grow your professional network. Take it slow – if your employer has employee groups, consider joining one and meeting people outside of your department. Try an online networking group or forum. Join a professional group for something you’re very passionate about, not just something that you think is related to your current work. Finding new connections is a great way to further your professional development.   
5. Connect with a leading IT or engineering staffing organization: IT staffing companies are an underused resource by candidates. Job seekers can utilize staffing services for no cost and no obligation. Our job is to help you find the right fit for your next role.   

Are you looking for exciting new opportunities in 2020?

Get in touch with the Open Systems team today. We’re excited to partner with you on your job search in the new year. 

The post Perfect Resolutions for Job Seekers appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

Education: 

Whether you’re focusing on new ways to extract energy sustainably or working with developing renewable energy systems and equipment, math and science aptitude is a must for this position. Most candidates will have some prior engineering experience in some sectors and will have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or similar track. Most schools don’t yet offer a renewable energy engineering specific degree. Still, many offer a minor or certifications that cover topics like electrical energy conversion, energy economics, and renewable energy policies.  

Salary: 

The average salary for someone working as a renewable energy engineer is about $71,000. This varies, of course, based on several factors, including geographical region and company the position is for. Overall, the job outlook is positive as climate change, and other concerns push the need for renewable energy higher up the priority list of many industries. Some sources predict that renewable energy could make up over 20% of the country’s power by 2030.  

Skillset:

Like all engineers, renewable energy engineers need to be math and science savvy, as well as up for a challenge. The desire to consistently be learning and growing is the key to success in a long-term career as an energy engineer. Communication and presentation skills are also essential skills to cultivate for this career path.  

Those who work in the renewable energy sector have a chance to make a significant difference in the future of energy use. If you’re looking for your next position and want to see if you can apply your skills to this up and coming industry, give our team a call today. We can help you find the right organization to help fuel your career.  

The post Career Spotlight: Renewable Energy Engineer appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

1. Benefits: Many contract positions don’t offer full benefits, while some offer none. If your situation is one that requires the security of employer-paid health insurance or you want to make sure that you have a 401k and PTO in place, a contract position may not be the best fit for you.
2. Taxes: Many contractors are listed as freelance or temporary employees and are required to fill out a 1099 and pay their own taxes. This presents a challenge to some people and may be a factor in accepting an offer of employment.
3. Length of contract: Make sure to ask how long you’ll be on contract for. This is key for knowing when you will need to plan to look for other work and shape your timeline in terms of when you’ll need to start looking for another contract.
4. Contract to hire: If you’re looking for a fulltime gig, you want to know if this contract position has the potential to turn into one. Knowing if you could end up as a member of the staff may affect your decision to take on the role. If you’re looking to stay flexible or just need work for an interim period of time, a temporary contract might be a great opportunity.
5. Rate of pay: Will you be eligible for overtime? What is the schedule you can expect? Is the contract rate of pay compared to what you’d make in a similar position as a full-time employee? Asking these questions can help you get a handle on the financial aspects of the position that could impact your decision.

Are you looking for contract work?

From engineers to IT team members, we can help you find the right role for your experience, get in touch with us today.

The post Should I Take the Contract? Key Things to Consider Before Accepting a New IT Contract Position appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

C# Programmer Salary

In 2019, the average pay for C# coder is $67,525 dollars, with those in the highest range of pay making an average of #103,000 annually. Though much of the salary depends on the industry, the company, and even the geographical location, C# programmers are likely to see long-term growth in related positions.

C# Education and Training

So, what does it take to be a successful C# professional?

Most applicants need to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer programming or computer science and many employers want their candidates to show several years of experience and a portfolio of work to be considered qualified.

You’ll need to develop the right soft skills, too.  Beyond simply knowing a programming language, you need to make sure that you’re the kind of candidate businesses know will work towards the success of the team. Being someone who can demonstrate a desire to learn, solution-oriented attitude, and logic and analysis skills to help troubleshoot and problem solve will make you an extremely hirable applicant.

Finally, it can be helpful to have additional coding skills under your belt. Programmers who have experience with Microsoft SQL Server, ASP.Net Framework, .NET, and other programming languages are often high on the list of candidates that companies want to interview.

Looking to take your programming career to the next level?

If you want to put your C# programming skills to work, we can help you find who’s hiring. Get in touch with our team today and take the next step on your journey to a satisfying and successful IT career.

The post Hot IT Jobs: C# Programming Career Guide appeared first on Open Systems Inc..