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Combat System Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

System Engineer

Washington, DC

$120K - $160K/yr

Engineering and Sciences Subcategory: Systems Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel ... combat systems and ships for various US Navy International Partners. Your work will include ...

SAIC

System Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Engineering and Sciences Subcategory: Systems Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel ... combat systems and ships for various US Navy International Partners. Your work will include ...

Future Technologies, Inc.

System Engineer

King George, VA · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Description The System Engineer will provide support for the Navy Combat Systems running a mixture of virtualized Linux and Windows computer systems. This involves system builds, application and OS ...

GDIT

Combat System Technician

Rochester, MN · On-site

$42.92 - $58.08/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT As a Combat System Technician, the work you'll do at GDIT will be impactful to the mission of NSWCDD DNA SQQ-89 In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA). You will play ...

SAIC

System Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description As the FMS Test Engineer, the candidate will support Test and Evaluation (T&E) of ... combat systems and ships for various US Navy International Partners. Your work will include ...

Leidos

Combat Systems Test Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

Combat System Test & Trials Engineer Position Overview The Combat System Test & Trials Engineer will play a key role in planning, coordinating, and executing verification, validation, and acceptance ...

Leidos

Combat Systems Test Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

Combat System Test & Trials Engineer Position Overview The Combat System Test & Trials Engineer will play a key role in planning, coordinating, and executing verification, validation, and acceptance ...

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Combat System Engineer information

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$53.5K

$127.2K

$167K

How much do combat system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for combat 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 is the difference between Combat System Engineer vs Systems Engineer?

AspectCombat System EngineerSystems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, often military or defense certificationsBachelor's or higher in Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentDefense contractors, military bases, R&D labsVarious industries including aerospace, tech, manufacturing
Industry UsagePrimarily defense and military applicationsBroad across multiple sectors
Job FocusDesign, integrate, and test combat systemsDesign and manage complex systems across industries

Combat System Engineers specialize in military and defense systems, focusing on combat-related technology, while Systems Engineers have a broader scope across various industries. Both roles require engineering degrees, but their applications and environments differ significantly.

What are some common challenges faced by combat system engineers when integrating new technologies into existing military platforms?

Combat System Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between new technologies and legacy systems, maintaining strict cybersecurity standards, and adhering to rigorous defense industry regulations. They must coordinate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including software developers, hardware engineers, and defense contractors, to troubleshoot integration issues and validate system performance. Balancing innovation with reliability and safety is crucial, as any updates must not disrupt mission-critical capabilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a combat system engineer?

A Combat System Engineer needs a solid background in systems engineering, electronics, and computer science, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with defense industry tools such as MATLAB, CAD software, radar/sensor integration systems, and often security clearances or certifications like CompTIA Security+ is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication are critical soft skills for this role. These competencies are vital to ensure the development, maintenance, and reliability of complex defense systems in high-stakes environments.

What is a combat system engineer?

A Combat System Engineer is a professional who specializes in designing, integrating, testing, and maintaining military combat systems, such as radar, weapons, and communications equipment on ships, aircraft, or ground vehicles. They ensure that these complex systems work seamlessly together to achieve mission objectives and enhance operational effectiveness. Their work often involves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, troubleshooting technical issues, and staying current with advancements in defense technology.
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What job categories do people searching Combat System Engineer jobs look for?

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Combat System Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Combat System Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,215 per year, or $61.2 per hour.

System Engineer

SAIC

Washington, DC

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 224 rated it services

Job description

Job ID: 2615141

Location: Washington, DC, US

Date Posted: 2026-07-30

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Systems Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_HYBRID


Description

Job Description: As the FMS Test Engineer, the candidate will support Test and Evaluation (T&E) of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) AEGIS surface ships and weapons systems for Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare System (PEO IWS) at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC.  Your work will contribute to the successful at-sea testing of new construction and modernized AEGIS combat systems and ships for various US Navy International Partners.  Your work will include understanding system capabilities; identifying requirements for at-sea testing; translating capabilities and test requirements to Test Objectives; using the Planning, Execution, Analysis, and Reporting (PEAR) process to develop test scenarios to evaluate Test Objectives; defining and validating resources needed to meet test scenario requirements; advising the test execution team during scenario execution; and ensuring data collection and analysis plans support reporting requirements.  
The ideal candidate will have experience operating the AEGIS weapon system as a user, either onboard a ship or in the lab, in order to provide senior level technical and engineering support to the Test Officer.  You must work well in a distributed group across multiple time zones. You must be a self-starter to manage the PEAR process across many government and contractor support activities, including communicating requirements to the team and holding each group accountable for products due.  You must be able to generate and communicate ideas to a diverse team of engineers, managers, and foreign customers. 
Support may include filling in for / representing the Test Officer in various planning meetings, therefore technical knowledge of the AEGIS combat system, first-hand knowledge of the Test Officer’s position on various issues, and continuous communications with stakeholders and warfare centers are all essential.  Work will be a mix of independent tasks and collaborative efforts with various support organizations. 
The ideal candidate will also have experience with budgeting and financial management to provide support to the Test Officer in managing FMS test budgets in the $MMs.  This includes coordinating with field activities to match budgets with statements of works, identify deliverables and milestones, and coordinate among multiple groups to ensure all necessary support is identified and funded. 
This position will require occasional to frequent travel to FMS countries, US test ranges, and US warfare centers for programmatic and Test support during events. 
 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
-    AEGIS Combat System operational and technical experience (shipboard or lab)
-    Bachelor’s Degree in engineering discipline, and 5 years experience or 4 additional years of equivalent experience in lieu of degree
-    Strong written and oral communication skills
-    Active SECRET security clearance
-    Previous US Navy active duty Senior Enlisted or Officer
-    Expert with DoD Systems Engineering processes
-    Experience with DoD budgeting and financial systems
-    Experience with Test and Evaluation Engineering 
-    Up to 25% travel may be required

Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

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