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Cognizant System Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As a Cognizant System Engineer/Technical Authority for assigned systems, coordinates configuration management activities, assesses system health and performance, and provides overall technical ...

As a Cognizant System Engineer/Technical Authority for assigned systems, coordinates configuration management activities, assesses system health and performance, and provides overall technical ...

As a Cognizant System Engineer/Technical Authority for assigned systems, coordinates configuration management activities, assesses system health and performance, and provides overall technical ...

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Cognizant System Engineer information

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$53.5K

$127.2K

$167K

How much do cognizant system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for cognizant system engineer in the United States is $127,215.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $157,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cognizant System Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cognizant System Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, systems integration, and often a relevant bachelor’s degree such as in mechanical, electrical, or nuclear engineering. Familiarity with specialized systems engineering tools (e.g., SysML, MATLAB), industry-specific codes, and certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) or INCOSE CSEP are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help in diagnosing issues and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure the safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance of complex engineering systems.

How does a Cognizant System Engineer typically collaborate with other teams during a project lifecycle?

As a Cognizant System Engineer, you’ll work closely with multidisciplinary teams including software developers, hardware engineers, project managers, and quality assurance specialists. Collaboration is essential throughout the project, from initial requirements gathering and design reviews to integration testing and deployment. You’ll often serve as a technical liaison, ensuring system requirements are met and helping to troubleshoot issues that arise. Strong communication skills and a proactive approach to cross-functional teamwork are key to successfully navigating the role.

What is a Cognizant System Engineer?

A Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) is a professional responsible for overseeing and managing the technical aspects of a specific system or subsystem throughout its lifecycle. The CSE ensures that all requirements are met, coordinates across engineering disciplines, and acts as the primary point of contact for system performance, integration, and troubleshooting. Their role often involves collaborating with project managers, design engineers, and stakeholders to ensure the system meets operational, safety, and regulatory standards. Cognizant System Engineers are commonly found in industries such as aerospace, defense, and large-scale engineering projects.

What is the difference between Cognizant System Engineer vs Cognizant Network Engineer?

AspectCognizant System EngineerCognizant Network Engineer
Primary RoleDesigning, implementing, and maintaining IT systems and infrastructureDesigning, configuring, and managing network infrastructure and connectivity
Required SkillsSystems administration, troubleshooting, hardware/software knowledgeNetwork protocols, routing, switching, security
CertificationsCompTIA A+, Network+, Cisco CCNA (often preferred)CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentData centers, client sites, office setupsNetwork operation centers, client networks, data centers

While both roles involve technical expertise within IT infrastructure, Cognizant System Engineers focus on overall system setup and maintenance, whereas Cognizant Network Engineers specialize in network-specific tasks. Both roles require relevant certifications and are integral to IT operations in various industries.

More about Cognizant System Engineer jobs
Infographic showing various Cognizant System Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,215 per year, or $61.2 per hour.
Electrical Cognizant System (WETF) Engineer 3/4

Electrical Cognizant System (WETF) Engineer 3/4

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Los Alamos National Laboratory rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 32 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 103 rated laboratories


Job description

Description
Job Title Electrical Cognizant System (WETF) Engineer 3/4
Location Los Alamos, NM, US
Organization Name ES-WFO/Engineering Services - Weapons Facilities Operations
Minimum Salary
Maximum Salary
This position is open for external candidates only to apply.
What You Will Do
The Engineering Services Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory develops, maintains, and applies a diverse set of engineering capabilities to provide innovative engineering solutions that enable the Laboratory's scientific and national security mission. This position is within the Engineering Services Division Office (ES-DO). ES Groups are responsible for implementing the Conduct of Engineering (COE) program at Los Alamos National Laboratory in support of systems, structure and component modifications and new installations. As well as supporting existing systems, modifications and customers occupying the facilities.
This position supports the Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF) nuclear facility as a cognizant system engineer to serve as system owner of multiple accredited facility systems. As a part of the cognizant system engineering team, systems you support are needed to operate a leading research and development Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility. Los Alamos National Laboratory promotes a workplace culture centered on mutual respect and inclusivity, ensuring freedom from discrimination and harassment for all.
Note: This position will be filled at either the Cognizant System Engineer 3/4 level depending on the skills and/or experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 ($128,000-$215,900)
As a Nuclear Facilities Engineer with Engineering Services, you will function as a Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) assigned to Vital Safety Systems at WETF. WETF is part of the portfolio of facilities located within LANL's Weapons Facilities Operations (WFO). WFO works hand in hand with nuclear weapons R&D groups to develop and maintain the nation's weapons stockpile. The CSE serves as the best-integrated source of expert knowledge for a given system or component in their assigned facilities and therefore is responsible for a wide range of support activities. The CSE provides a technical interface to existing facility systems and components in the assigned facilities. The CSE controls and maintains the technical baseline and master equipment list of the assigned facilities. The CSE is to review and concur with design modification outputs as requested by the FDAR. The CSE will evaluate, maintain, troubleshoot, and replace facility support equipment and will coordinate multiple disciplines. The CSE will support configuration management of assigned systems and facilities.
You will apply broad, in-depth knowledge of DOE Orders, nuclear safety requirements, and national consensus codes to develop engineering solutions that uphold the highest standards of safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Engineers at this level serve as technical authorities, lead portions of project and design work, guide system performance, and contribute to engineering strategies that ensure mission execution across complex, high-consequence facilities.
The level 3 role serves as a senior engineer and includes the following job opportunities:
  • Provide senior engineering expertise and mentoring to junior engineers
  • Represent Engineering Services Division as a leader in effective and efficient project execution
  • Develops and approves conceptual and detailed designs that ensure third-party designs are code-compliant and meet our customer's needs
  • Assess condition of existing facilities and infrastructure systems
  • Expertly apply engineering judgement to engineering challenges
  • Utilize your experience to prepare accurate cost estimates to our customers
  • Work to scope both internally and externally executed design projects
  • Produce high-level design deliverables
  • Adhere to LANL's Engineering Standards, Conduct of Engineering, prevailing codes and standards
  • Support organizational initiatives for improvements of design and business practices
  • Qualify as a Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) at one of our nation's top scientific laboratories
  • Assess, maintain, and upgrade systems at WETF to support facility operations and programmatic needs
  • As system owner's representative this position will support the following focus areas: Configuration Management, Technical Support to Operations and Maintenance, System Health Status and Performance, and Technical Support to Programs and Projects
  • Leads in research, assembles, and/or evaluates information or data regarding nuclear facility practices or applicable regulatory changes affecting nuclear facility engineering policies or programs; recommends sound, practical solutions to moderately complex issues
  • Recognized as a contributing figure for nuclear facility engineering issues, communicating with stakeholders across most areas of the project
  • Expected to lead significant portions of nuclear facility engineering projects or teams in support of meeting mission deliverables
  • Identifies and/or leads activities within electrical engineering in support of facility design, operation and maintenance
Nuclear Facilities Engineer Level 4 ($153,600 -$266,500)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, in this level the selected candidate identifies and/or leads activities within a nuclear facility engineering discipline, demonstrating initiative, technical depth, and leadership in complex project environments. The candidate must be able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, applying broad and diversified knowledge of nuclear facility engineering principles and practices in the preparation and execution of nuclear facility engineering deliverables. This includes utilizing nuclear engineering technology to accomplish work safely and efficiently while continuously improving engineering and work processes to meet evolving customer and mission needs. The ideal candidate will bring a strong technical foundation, sound judgment, and the ability to integrate requirements across multiple systems and disciplines to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable facility operations.
  • Recognized as a as a coordinating figure and subject-matter-expert (SME), helping to ensure third-party designs are code-compliant and meet our customer's needs
  • Use broad and/or unique knowledge and skills to contribute to improvement of LANL's Engineering Standards
  • Use independent and wide latitude judgment in determining course of action to accomplish objectives
  • Facilitate technical growth of the Electrical design team
  • Assist your Team Lead with work planning, staffing projections and hiring

What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:

  • Demonstrated broad-based, engineering experience with projects involving electrical design for new facilities and facility modifications
  • Minimum 6 years working experience with engineering principles, codes, and standards (NEC, NFPA, IEEE, etc.)
  • Minimum 6 years working experience in the development of engineering drawings, specifications, calculations, test and inspection plans (TIPs), and statements of special inspection (SSIs)
  • At least 6 years of practical experience in power system engineering, fault current analysis, voltage drop calculations, protection coordination studies, incident energy studies, and equipment sizing
  • Minimum 6 years of experience in scoping of complex projects to produce an estimate of engineering costs for both design and construction activities
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of industry, regulatory, or Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) complex codes, standards, and criteria pertinent to the particular engineering discipline
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor early career engineers
  • Demonstrated ability to articulate concepts through various oral and written communication media, using a diverse range of technical and business acumen
  • Assist in defining maintenance requirements involving corrective maintenance and the tracking and trending of system performance
  • Review design outputs for impact to technical baseline and master equipment lists
  • Experience in a nuclear facility environment
  • Working knowledge of industry, regulatory, or Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) complex codes, standards, and criteria pertinent to the particular engineering discipline
  • Ability to articulate concepts through various oral and written communication media, using a diverse range of technical and business acumen
  • Experience performing system engineering, design engineering, or project engineering functions within complex facility environments
  • Ability to manage configuration, operability, and performance of assigned systems using a graded and risk informed approach
Additional Job Requirements for Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4:
  • Minimum 12 years of experience leading a design team and/or organization
  • Minimum 12 years of expertise in industry, regulatory, or Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) complex codes, standards, and criteria pertinent to your engineering discipline
  • Minimum of 12 years of experience in engineering work planning, budgeting, and design coordination
  • Demonstrated broad and/or unique expert knowledge of engineering systems and calculations, applications of engineering methods, and application technology aided engineering tools to conventional and non-conventional facility and operations-based engineering problems

Education/Experience at Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 6 years practical work experience to the degree necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above. Advanced engineering or technical degree is highly desired. Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is highly desirable.
Education/Experience at Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university and a minimum of 12 years of practical work experience necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above. Advanced engineering or technical degree is highly desired. Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is highly desirable.
This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities. This DOE Order establishes entry-level requirements to ensure employees in the positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job. DOE 426.2 requires a BS degree, 2 years of job related experience and 1 year of non-reactor nuclear experience for technical support personnel who perform work independently at nuclear facilities.
Desired Qualifications:
  • For Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4: Current NCEES Professional Engineering License in Electrical Engineering (any US State)
  • Design experience in nuclear, accelerator or industrial facility operations
  • Master's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university
  • Knowledge of DOE and LANL Engineering Standards and Conduct of Engineering principles and procedures

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position Commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China - including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau - as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
  • PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
  • Dental and vision insurance
  • Free basic life and disability insurance
  • Paid childbirth and parental leave
  • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
  • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
  • Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
  • Onsite gyms and wellness programs
  • Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required,...

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