Systems Eng Real Time Systems Salary Survey

8/2/2019 Systems Eng Real Time Systems Salary Survey

1/19

The use of these materials, the trade name, the service marks or any industrial & intellectual property rights of Kinetic Defence Services,is restricted to and is vested in Kinetic Defence Services. The reproduction of this publication by any means is restricted by law.

Kinetic Defence Services Pty Ltd T/A Kinetic Recruitment 2009

Software Engineering & Real Time

Systems Salary Survey

2009


2/19

2009 Software Engineering & Real Time Systems Salary Survey


Kinetic Defence Services Pty Ltd T/A Kinetic Recruitment 2009 Page 2 of 19

About Kinetic Recruitment

Kinetic Recruitment is an award-winning recruitment solutions leader operating within

the Australian IT&T, Defence & Aerospace, and Rail & Transport marketplace. As a

testament to strong and enduring organisational growth, Kinetic Recruitment has been

recognised in Business Review Weeklys (BRW) Fast 100 Companies list three of the

last five years. In addition, Kinetic Recruitment is an Australian Government Endorsed

Supplier and a Recruitment & Consulting Services Australia Ltd. (RCSA) certified

member.

Kinetic Recruitment operates a vertical solutions model. Consultants are experts in

their technical and functional areas allowing for extensive market knowledge. Kinetic

Recruitment offers select clients a specialised and professional service not a generalist

one. Understanding the competitive nature of the corporate landscape, Kinetic

Recruitments methodology is proactive, and not simply dependent upon web-based

advertising. This dedicated focus has led to the development of a strong and trusted

network of candidates who also form the basis of a larger referral network. Results are

the best indication of Kinetic Recruitments service offering: over 90% of clients re-use

our services, and over 80% of candidates are placed through personal and corporate

referral networks. Kinetic Recruitment has a less than 1% placement dropout rate.

Software Engineering & Real Time Systems

The Software Engineering & Real Time Systems division has been a cornerstone of the

Kinetic Recruitment business for the best part of a decade. In broad terms, the team

covers all areas of cross platform programming, real time application level and

embedded systems, hardware and electronic design, firmware and test engineering.

We have placed niche professionals from graduates through to directorial level

engagements across all industry sectors and within all major business capitals

throughout Australia. The Software Engineering & Real Time Systems division

leverages the expertise of both principal level recruitment specialists and degree

qualified engineers in our consulting team to deliver targeted resource solutions and

educated consultancy.

For further information, please contact John Hillard on 02 9492 7500 or visit

www.kineticrecruitment.com.au
http://www.kineticrecruitment.com.au/http://www.kineticrecruitment.com.au/http://www.kineticrecruitment.com.au/


3/19




Contents

1. Introduction .................................................................................... 4

2. Geographic Reach Of Results .......................................................... 5

3. It Industry Experience .................................................................... 5

4. Basic Salary Analysis By State ........................................................ 6

4.1 Australian Capital Territory .............................................................. 7

4.2 New South Wales ........................................................................... 9

4.3 Victoria ......................................................................................... 11

4.4 Queensland ................................................................................... 13

4.5 South Australia .............................................................................. 15

4.6 Western Australia .......................................................................... 17

5. Additional Benefits ....................................................................... 19

Kinetic RecruitmentLevel 12, 275 George Street

Sydney NSW 2000T: (02) 9492 7500

[email protected]


4/19




1.IntroductionPublication of the 2009 Software Engineering & Real Time Systems Salary Survey

represents the culmination of an in-depth analysis and review program of broad-based

technology and engineering market data collated over the past 12 months. Figures

have been calculated via Kinetic Recruitments sophisticated database system; the

most comprehensive Australia-wide software engineering and real time systems talent

information repository within the industry. Our thanks go to the many customers

across all major Australian business centres that have contributed market information

and data for this project.

1.1 DefinitionsDetailed below are the definitions for the salary data tables:

Median: The salary level which 50% of salaries fall below and 50% are above

Salary Package: Full time equivalent annual base salary plus superannuation and

bonus components (before tax).

1.2 NotesThese figures are provided as a median guideline. Individual salaries will vary and

should take into account the exact requirements of the specific role.

Definitive data for the Northern Territory and Tasmania was not available. For

guidelines on salaries please contact Kinetic Recruitment.

Should you seek further clarification on salaries relating to the Software Engineering &

Real Time Systems sector or one of our other specialist sectors please contact Kinetic

Recruitment.


5/19




2.Geographic Reach of Resultsa) Graph

The graph below shows the breakdown of state source data used in the findings.

Graph 1: State breakdown

3.Commercial Experienceb) Graph

Graph 1: Years working in industry


6/19




4.Basic Salary Analysis by Statea) Overall market comments

Over the last three quarters, the technology sector in Australia has reflected an overall

lethargy in the broader marketplace in alignment with the much publicised global

economic slowdown. However, commercial impacts and reactions across industry and

state lines have been diverse. Whilst much press is devoted to the undeniable increase

in job losses and wide-ranging business hardship across the nation, less talked about is

a core backdrop of forward-thinking corporates and small to medium sized enterprises

(SMEs) that are providing a contrasting resilience to the marketplace. Indeed,

numerous customers of Kinetic Recruitment (organisations of all sizes) have utilized

this period to bolster their engineering teams with talented resources often difficult to

attract and secure in a bull market. For many, even in adversity there is opportunity.

From a staffing perspective, several general trends have become apparent across

Australian business:

Hardest hit have been global financial markets, resources and mining andmultinational corporates (with U.S. or European-based head offices)

Increase in requests for contractor staff as a method of risk mitigation Greater interstate movement of technologists for work A trend towards open source platforms and technology environments General rationalization of salary levels and contract rates Increase in the available talent pool (though not necessarily the skills level as

organisations seek to retain core team)

Organisations willing to sponsor international candidates have greatly increasedability to fill niche business requirements

Continued growth for numerous organisations right across the countryb) Tables

The tables below show the basic salary package range and median split by position

and sector. The salaries shown in the tables are for full time employees and are before

tax salary package figures.

The top and bottom 3% of source data was excluded from the findings to prevent

outliers skewing the data.


7/19




4.1 Australian Capital TerritoryWhilst there has been obvious downturn in business activity, of all the major centres,

the A.C.T. remains the most insulated regional economy thanks largely to the

prevalence of federal government, defence and research based organisations in the

region. This factor and Canberras relatively small-town feel in comparison to its

larger cousins - has kept remuneration levels at comparably high levels. Historically,

the A.C.T. has a tendency to attract jobseekers looking for stable, long term

engagements.

Opportunity for A.C.T.-based organisations to secure niche talent Continued growth from several R&D based technology providers High percentage of sensitive/classified engagements requiring Defence and

DIAC associated clearances

See Table 4.1 for Australian Capital Territory salary analysis


8/19




Table 4.1: Salaries for Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Years experience

Position 1 - 2 years 3 - 5 years 6 - 10 years 10+years

Engineering / R&DManager

$109,000 (95 - 120K) $130,800 (110 - 145K) $147,150 (120 - 165K) $152,600 (120 - 170K)

Program Manager $119,000 (110 - 140K) $152,600 (125 - 170K) $179,850 (140 - 190K) $196,200 (150 - 220K)

Project Manager $109,000 (90 - 120K) $125,350 (110 - 140K) $141,700 (115 - 155K) $163,500 (130 - 175K)

Team Leader $109,000 (90 - 120K) $119,900 (100 - 130K) $125,350 (100 - 135K) $125,350 (100 - 140K)

SW Eng (clientserver/socketprogramming)

$65,400 (50 - 70K) $87,200 (70 - 95K) $98,100 (75 - 110K) $103,550 (80 - 115K)

SW Eng (GUIdevelopment)

$65,400 (50 - 70K) $81,750 (70 - 85K) $98,100 (75 - 105K) $103,550 (80 - 110K)

SW Eng (missioncriticalRT/multithreaded)

$65,400 (50 - 65K) $87,200 (70 - 95K) $98,100 (80 - 110K) $103,550 (80 - 115K)

Embedded SW

Engineer

$65,400 (55 - 70K) $87,200 (65 - 100K) $103,550 (80 - 115K) $109,000 (80 - 120K)

Firmware Engineer $65,400 (50 - 75K) $87,200 (70 - 95K) $103,550 (80 - 115K) $109,000 (80 - 115K)

HW Engineer(FPGA/ASIC)

$65,400 (55 - 70K) $87,200 (65 - 95K) $103,550 (75 - 115K) $109,000 (80 - 120K)

HW Engineer (PCBDesign/Layout)

$65,400 (55 - 70K) $87,200 (65 - 95K) $98,100 (75 - 105K) $109,000 (75 - 115K)

HW Engineer(electronicanalogue/digital)

$65,400 (50 - 70K) $87,200 (60 - 95K) $98,100 (70 - 110K) $109,000 (75 - 120K)

DSP DesignEngineer

$65,400 (50 - 75K) $87,200 (70 - 95K) $98,100 (80 - 110K) $109,000 (90 - 120K)

Build Engineer $59,950 (50 - 65K) $81,750 (65 - 85K) $92,650 (80 - 100K) $109,000 (85 - 115K)

Test / V&VEngineer

$54,500 (50 - 60K) $70,850 (60 - 85K) $81,750 (70 - 95K) $92,650 (80 - 105K)

Systems Engineer $76,300 (55 - 80K) $98,100 (80 - 105K) $125,350 (95 - 135K) $141,700 (100 - 150K)


9/19




4.2 New South WalesSydney

Over the course of the last decade, large professional and financial services

organisations have increasingly snaffled many of the top engineering graduates

produced through institutions such as University of New South Wales and University of

Sydney. Whilst these professionals typically gain strong exposure to complex multi-

threaded object oriented development, this trend has led to a shortage of locally

educated low level (embedded systems) specialists to service the region. The breach

has often been filled by well qualified international technologists.

From an embedded systems perspective, Sydney is a smaller marketplace than

Melbourne. The region does, however, possesses the same breadth of industry

diversity within the engineering field and requires many of the same skill sets which -

in turn - has kept salary levels and contract rates slightly higher than her southern

counterpart.

Start up organisations and SMEs often pay above market salary levels to attractand secure strong resources

Companies with the capacity to sponsor international talent have enhancedability to fill niche business requirements

Many product development organisations have retained their R&D capacity inorder to stay at the forefront of technology advances

Professionals emigrating to Australia form a significant section of the embeddedsoftware and hardware talent pool

Continuing positive growth emanating from sectors including gaming, defence,communications, consumer electronics and broadcast based organizations

See Table 4.2 for New South Wales salary analysis.


10/19




Table 4.2: Salaries for New South Wales (NSW)

Years experience

Position 1 - 2 years 3 - 5 years 6 - 10 years 10+ years


$114,450 (100 - 130K) $130,800 (105 - 145K) $141,700 (125 - 155K) $147,150 (130 - 160K)



Team Leader $114,450 (95 - 120K) $119,900 (100 - 125K) $130,800 (110 - 140K) $130,800 (120 - 145K)

SW Eng (clientserver/socket

programming)

$65,400 (50 - 70K) $81,750 (60 - 90K) $92,650 (75 - 105K) $103,550 (80 - 120K)


$54,500 (45 - 65K) $76,300 (60 - 85K) $92,650 (75 - 100K) $92,650 (80 - 110K)

SW Eng (mission criticalRT/multithreaded)

$59,950 (50 - 60K) $76,300 (60 - 90K) $98,100 (75 - 110K) $103,550 (80 - 120K)

Embedded SW Engineer $59,950 (50 - 65K) $76,300 (60 - 90K) $87,200 (75 - 115K) $98,100 (85 - 120K)


HW Engineer (FPGA/ASIC) $54,500 (45 - 65K) $76,300 (60 - 90K) $98,100 (85 - 110K) $109,000 (90 - 120K)


$54,500 (50 - 65K) $70,850 (55 - 85K) $92,650 (75 - 105K) $98,100 (85 - 110K)

HW Engineer (electronicanalogue/digital)

$54,500 (50 - 60K) $76,300 (60 - 85K) $92,650 (75 - 105K) $98,100 (80 - 115K)

DSP Design Engineer $59,950 (50 - 70K) $81,750 (65 - 90K) $98,100 (85 - 110K) $114,450 (100 - 130K)


Test / V&V Engineer $54,500 (45 - 60K) $70,850 (55 - 80K) $81,750 (75 - 90K) $103,550 (80 - 110K)



11/19




4.3 VictoriaMelbourne

Australias second largest city has the greatest concentration and diversity of

organisations undertaking electronics design, embedded systems, product

development and component manufacturing in the nation. Whilst niche talent is still

difficult to find, Melbourne also possesses the greatest number of experienced

software and hardware engineers (many of them produced locally from institutions

such as RMIT, Swinburne and the University of Melbourne). This has had the effect of

keeping remuneration levels relatively modest.

Significant downturn in the automotive sector with reflected staff reductionsacross several big brand organisations

Redundancies within enterprise telecommunications sector (particularly withinthe research and development area)

Some consolidation within several sectors including: biomedical, electronicsdesign, infrastructure and defence

Niche organisations are securing the services of well qualified engineers withenterprise scale experience

See Table 4.3 for Victorian salary analysis.


12/19




Table 4.3: Salaries for Victoria (VIC)

Years experience



$109,000 (100 - 130K) $125,350 (105 - 150K) $136,250 (110 - 155K) $147,150 (120 - 170K)



Team Leader $103,550 (85 - 115K) $109,000 (90 - 120K) $114,450 (100 - 125K) $119,900 (100 - 130K)


programming)

$54,500 (45 - 65K) $65,400 (55 - 80K) $81,750 (70 - 100K) $92,650 (80K - 110K)


$49,050 (45 - 65K) $65,400 (55 - 85K) $81,750 (75 - 90K) $87,200 (75K - 110K)


$54,500 (50 - 70K) $70,850 (60 - 85K) $87,200 (75 - 100K) $92,650 (75 - 120K)





$54,500 (50 - 65K) $70,850 (60 - 85K) $92,650 (75 - 105K) $98,100 (85 - 110K)


$54,500 (45 - 65K) $76,850 (65 - 95K) $87,200 (70 - 95K) $92,650 (80 - 120K)






13/19




4.4 QueenslandBrisbane

As a comparatively compact marketplace, Brisbanes engineering sector has felt the

impact of high profile job losses and the general downturn in resources and mining.

The most significant movement has been out of the aviation sector which has

experienced a raft of redundancies. However, there is remarkable resilience being

shown in areas of infrastructure, rail and electronics engineering and the broad-based

SME market.

Professional services / consultancies have suffered as companies seek tostreamline costs

Growth evident from infrastructure and rail aligned organisations Talent movement towards locally managed SMEs with a national (or solid

multinational) customer base

See Table 4.4 for Queensland salary analysis


14/19




Table 4.4: Salaries for Queensland (QLD)

Years experience



$109,000 (95 - 120K) $125,350 (100 - 145K) $130,800 (105 - 145K) $141,700 (110 - 160K)


Project Manager $109,000 (95 - 115K) $119,900 (100 - 130) $130,800 (100 - 135K) $136,250 (110 - 150K)

Team Leader $98,100 (85 - 115K) $109,000 (95 - 120K) $119,900 (100 - 130K) $119,900 (100 - 130K)


programming)

$59,950 (55 - 75K) $81,750 (65 - 85K) $92,650 (70 - 105K) $109,000 (90 - 120K)


$59,950 (50 - 65K) $81,750 (70 - 85K) $87,200 (75 - 95K) $92,650 (80 - 105K)


$65,400 (55 75K) $81,750 (70 - 90K) $98,100 (75 - 110K) $109,000 (90 - 120K)

Embedded SW Engineer $59.950 (60 - 65K) $81,750 (70 - 90K) $98,100 (85 - 110K) $98,100 (85 - 120K)




$59,950 (55 - 65K) $76,300 (65 - 85K) $92,650 (80 - 110K) $98,100 (85 - 125K)


$59,950 (55 - 65K) $70,850 (60 - 80K) $98,100 (85 - 110K) $98,100 (80 - 120K)






15/19




4.5 South AustraliaAdelaide

Within the engineering sector, much of Adelaides workforce is Defence aligned (or

affiliated). Hence, the movements of the large Defence organisations operating within

the city tend to colour observations about the overall talent pool. On the whole, the

average salary in Adelaide is marginally lower than comparable cities around the

nation. Notably, a major organisational acquisition in the Defence sector, combined

with a shortfall in production work, has led to a recent oversupply of general

technologists in the region.


There are more Defence security cleared technologists in Adelaide than in anyother Australian capital

Several international Defence and aerospace organisations are continuing tobolster their workforces

Outside of the Defence sector, there is less embedded systems engineering andmore application level development

Positive market influence is coming from broad-based technology SMEs and anumber of larger enterprises (in areas such as communications, health, logistics

and scientific R&D)

See Table 4.5 for South Australian salary analysis


16/19




Table 4.5: Salaries for South Australia (SA)

Years experience

Position 1 - 2 years 3 - 5 years 6 - 10 years 10+ Years


$103,550 (90 - 120K) $119,900 (100 - 135K) $130,800 (110 - 160K) $147,150 (120 - 170K)



Team Leader $92,650 (80 - 105K) $103,550 (90 - 120K) $119,900 (95 - 130K) $119,900 (100 - 130K)


programming)

$59,950 (50 - 65K) $76,300 (60 - 85K) $87,200 (80 - 95K) $98,100 (85 - 120K)


$59,950 (50 - 65K) $70,850 (60 - 85K) $81,750 (75 - 90K) $87,200 (75 - 100K)


$59,950 (50 - 65K) $70,850 (60 - 85K) $81,750 (75 - 90K) $98,100 (85 - 125K)





$65,400 (45 - 75K) $76,300 (65 - 85K) $92,650 (80 - 100K) $103,550 (85 - 120K)


$54,500 (45 - 75K) $74,120 (60 - 80K) $87,200 (75 - 95K) $103,550 (80 - 130K)






17/19




4.6 Western AustraliaPerth

Resource rich Western Australia has in recent years ridden on the back of a worldwide

commodities demand which has been reflected within the technology sector through a

general talent shortage and thus, higher salaries, (in some instances graduate

engineers with strong academic results and no commercial experience were walking

into $80,000 positions). Whilst this situation has changed - and general remuneration

packages have been revised - Perths remoteness tempers freefalling salary levels.

As an integrated economy, impacts on large organisations in Western Australia have

follow on effects throughout the region. Notably within the engineering sector, the

postponement of a major resources associated rail technology project has led to

organisational project redundancies; but also throughout partner organisations set up

to deliver services.


Rationalisation of salary levels and contract rates Increase in the number WA-based professionals seeking interstate

opportunities

Niche organisations are securing the services of well qualified engineers withenterprise scale experience

See Table 4.6 for Western Australia salary analysis


18/19




Table 4.6: Salaries for Western Australia (WA)

Years experience

Position 1 - 2 years 3 - 5 years 6 - 10 years 10+ Years


$114,450 (95 - 130K) $130,800 (100 - 150K) $136,250 (115 - 155K) $141,700 (120 - 160K)



Team Leader $109,000 (90 - 120K) $119,900 (95 - 130K) $119,900 (100 - 135K) $125,350 (100 - 135K)


programming)

$59,950 (55 - 65K) $76,300 (70 - 85K) $87,200 (75 - 100K) $92,650 (80 - 110K)


$59,950 (55 - 65K) $76,300 (65 - 90K) $87,200 (75 - 95K) $92,650 (85 - 110K)


$65,400 (55 - 70K) $81,750 (70 - 90K) $92,650 (80 - 110K) $98,100 (85 - 120K)





$59,950 (55 - 65K) $87,200 (70 - 95K) $92,650 (85 - 105K) $98,100 (90 - 120K)


$59,950 (55 - 65K) $87,200 (75 - 100K) $98,100 (75 - 110K) $98,100 (90 - 120K)






19/19




5. Additional Benefitsa)Graph

The graph below presents a breakdown of additional benefits being offered across theengineering sector. Percentages are a representation of the number of organisationsoffering the additional benefits beyond employee annual salary and statutorysuperannuation.

b) CommentsNon-cash incentives includes phones, laptops and public transport allowances

Salary sacrifice packages are the most widely offered additional benefit in theSoftware Engineering and Real Time Systems sector followed by Non-cashincentives.

Systems Eng Real Time Systems Salary Survey

Documents

Transcript of Systems Eng Real Time Systems Salary Survey