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Critical Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

iNovex Information Systems

System Engineer 0

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Join us on this journey as we execute this mission-critical contract providing systems architecture and engineering in a world-wide multi-level Enterprise IT environment! Your effort and expertise ...

Karman Space & Defense

Systems Engineer III

Mukilteo, WA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

We believe that solving the industry's most complex and mission-critical challenges requires ... Providing systems engineering support during the proposal phase, including compliance matrix ...

ECS

Senior Systems Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$130K - $145K/yr

We are seeking cleared Senior Systems Engineers to engineer, administer, monitor, secure ... Experience supporting mission-critical systems with high availability and operational performance ...

NORTH WIND SYSTEMS LLC

Lead Systems Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Applied R Test Articles and Critical System Components; Test Facility Design & Build; Test Services ... The Lead Systems Engineer will coordinate with other technical leaders and establish priorities for ...

Boeing

Entry-Level Systems Engineer

Berkeley, MO · On-site

$73K - $100K/yr

Entry-Level Systems Engineer Company: The Boeing Company is looking for Entry-Level Systems ... Exposure to verification and certification processes, especially for military safety-critical or ...

New

Boeing

Entry-Level Systems Engineer

Saint Charles, MO · On-site

$73K - $100K/yr

Entry-Level Systems Engineer Company: The Boeing Company is looking for Entry-Level Systems ... Exposure to verification and certification processes, especially for military safety-critical or ...

New

Boeing

Entry-Level Systems Engineer

Hazelwood, MO · On-site

$73K - $100K/yr

Entry-Level Systems Engineer Company: The Boeing Company is looking for Entry-Level Systems ... Exposure to verification and certification processes, especially for military safety-critical or ...

New

DCS Corp

Avionics Systems Engineer

Lexington Park, MD · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

Salary: $90,220 - $140,000 Lead a dynamic team of software and hardware engineers integrating safety critical systems into Navy aircraft. Essential Job Functions: Work independently on smaller ...

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Critical Systems Engineer information

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$53.5K

$127.2K

$167K

How much do critical systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for critical systems 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 Critical Systems Engineer vs Network Security Engineer?

AspectCritical Systems EngineerNetwork Security Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, certifications like CISSP or Security+Bachelor's in Computer Science or related, CISSP, CEH
Work EnvironmentDesigning and maintaining critical infrastructure systems, often in industries like aerospace, defense, or energySecuring organizational networks, preventing cyber threats, and managing firewalls and intrusion detection systems
Industry UsageUsed in sectors requiring high system reliability and safetyCommon in IT, cybersecurity firms, and corporate IT departments

Critical Systems Engineers focus on designing and maintaining essential infrastructure systems, ensuring safety and reliability. Network Security Engineers specialize in protecting network assets from cyber threats. While both roles require security certifications and technical expertise, their focus areas differ significantly, with Critical Systems Engineers emphasizing system integrity and safety, and Network Security Engineers concentrating on cybersecurity defenses.

What are some common challenges faced by Critical Systems Engineers when maintaining high-availability systems?

Critical Systems Engineers often face the challenge of ensuring continuous uptime while managing complex, interdependent systems. They must quickly diagnose and resolve issues under pressure, as even brief downtime can have significant consequences. Balancing system upgrades or maintenance without disrupting essential services requires careful planning, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and a deep understanding of redundancy and failover protocols. Additionally, staying updated with evolving security threats and compliance standards is a constant aspect of the role.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Critical Systems Engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in cybersecurity, or working in high-demand industries such as aerospace or defense can earn $300,000 or more annually. Achieving this level often requires advanced certifications, leadership roles, or working in organizations with high compensation standards.

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

To thrive as a Critical Systems Engineer, you need expertise in systems engineering, risk analysis, and reliability engineering, often supported by a degree in engineering or computer science. Familiarity with tools such as fault tree analysis software, real-time operating systems, and certifications like INCOSE CSEP or CISSP are highly valued. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring the safety, security, and continuous operation of mission-critical systems in high-stakes environments.

What does Elon Musk say about engineers?

Elon Musk emphasizes the importance of engineers in developing innovative technologies and solving complex problems. He values technical expertise, hands-on problem-solving skills, and a strong work ethic in engineering roles, especially in fields like critical systems engineering where reliability and safety are paramount.

What engineers make $500,000?

Critical Systems Engineers in specialized fields such as aerospace, defense, or high-frequency trading can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-stakes environments, requiring expertise in system architecture, security, and real-time processing.

What is a Critical Systems Engineer?

A Critical Systems Engineer is a professional responsible for designing, maintaining, and ensuring the reliability and safety of systems that are essential to the operation of organizations, such as power grids, healthcare equipment, and transportation systems. These engineers focus on minimizing risks and preventing failures in systems where downtime or errors can have severe consequences. Their work often involves rigorous testing, strict compliance with industry standards, and ongoing monitoring to ensure continuous operation. Critical Systems Engineers collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to address both hardware and software challenges in high-stakes environments.

What does a critical systems engineer do?

A critical systems engineer designs, maintains, and ensures the reliability of essential systems such as power, communication, or safety infrastructure. They analyze system performance, implement redundancies, and troubleshoot issues to prevent failures, often working with specialized tools and following strict safety standards. Certification and strong problem-solving skills are important in this role.
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What job categories do people searching Critical Systems Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Critical Systems Engineer jobs are:
Critical Systems Engineer jobs near you
Systems Engineer II - 529347

Systems Engineer II - 529347

University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL • On-site

$68K - $89K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

University Of Alabama rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 57 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

386th of 535 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Job no: 529347
Position type: Regular Full-time (Benefits eligible)
Location: Tuscaloosa
Division/Equivalent: Academic Affairs
School/Unit: Academic Affairs
Department/Office: 200731 - Telecommunications
Categories: Information Systems/Technology Support, Engineering/Computer Science

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Pay Grade/Pay Range:  Minimum: $68,500 - Midpoint: $89,100 (Salaried E11)

Department/Organization: 200731 - Telecommunications

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm; some evenings & weekends

Note to Applicants: Position is eligible for hybrid work subject to University policy. 

Job Summary: The Systems Engineer II supports the functionality and availability of enterprise-wide mission critical University and non-critical systems by performing systems engineering and administration under limited supervision.

Additional Department Summary: Supports the functionality and availability of enterprise-wide mission critical University and non-critical systems by performing systems engineering and administration under limited supervision. Supports The University's enterprise Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication network and related telecommunications technologies. Monitors systems health and performance after hours.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree; OR bachelor's degree and two (2) years of system engineering or administration experience, or advanced technical work experience in devops development; OR associate's degree and four (4) years of IT experience to include two (2) years of system engineering or administration experience, or advanced technical work experience in devops development; OR High school diploma or GED and six (6) years of IT experience to include two (2) years of system engineering or administration experience, or advanced technical work experience in devops development.

Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Must have valid U.S. driver's license. Must be at least 19 years of age at time of hire and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report that is in compliance with University policies. Applicants under the age of 21 will have some driving restrictions.

Skills and Knowledge: Familiarity with Microsoft Teams Dialing. Advanced troubleshooting and customer service skills.

Preferred Qualifications: One (1) year experience working with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM). Some experience configuring telecommunications hardware and end-user equipment. Experience supporting Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), Cisco Unified CCX Administration, Cisco Unity Connection Administration, Cisco Emergency Responder and Cisco Contact Center Express platforms. Experience configuring and administering collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Jabber or WebEx. Current professional certification such as Cisco CCNA and/or CCNP Collaboration certifications or Microsoft Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer certification. Experience using O365 platform.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC's Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.

The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.

Advertised: May 08 2026 Central Daylight Time
Application close: Jun 07 2026 Central Daylight Time

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