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Isr Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Systems Engineer Expert

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$107K - $146K/yr

Support integration of space domain awareness (SDA), counterspace capabilities, and ISR systems into enterprise architectures. * Develop and maintain technical documentation, engineering baselines ...

Systems Engineer Expert

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$107K - $146K/yr

Support integration of space domain awareness (SDA), counterspace capabilities, and ISR systems into enterprise architectures. * Develop and maintain technical documentation, engineering baselines ...

Sr Systems Engineer

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Active Top Secret/SCI Leidos is seeking a highly experienced Senior Systems Engineer to support the development, integration, and advancement of cutting-edge ISR technologies within the Army TENCAP ...

Sr Systems Engineer

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Active Top Secret/SCI Leidos is seeking a highly experienced Senior Systems Engineer to support the development, integration, and advancement of cuttingedge ISR technologies within the Army TENCAP ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Riverside, CA · On-site

$109K - $149K/yr

Troubleshoot complex system issues across AMOSS, ISR, and telecommunications environments ... Collaborate with engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to ensure seamless system ...

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Isr Systems Engineer information

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$53.5K

$127.2K

$167K

How much do isr systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for isr 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 are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of an ISR Systems Engineer?

As an ISR Systems Engineer, your daily tasks may include designing and integrating intelligence sensors, conducting system-level testing, and troubleshooting technical issues across platforms. You often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including software developers, hardware engineers, and project managers to ensure ISR solutions meet performance and security standards. Regularly interfacing with customers or end-users for requirements gathering and system verification is also common. This dynamic environment offers frequent opportunities to solve complex, real-world problems and contribute to mission-critical projects.

What is an ISR Systems Engineer job?

An ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and integrating systems that support intelligence-gathering and surveillance operations. They work with radar, communication, and sensor technologies to enhance situational awareness for military, defense, and security applications. Their role involves analyzing requirements, troubleshooting system performance, and ensuring interoperability between various ISR platforms. These engineers collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop cutting-edge solutions that enhance mission effectiveness.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Isr Systems Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an ISR Systems Engineer, you need a strong background in systems engineering, signal processing, and integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance technologies, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Experience with tools like MATLAB, RF and sensor technologies, and knowledge of standards such as MIL-STD-1553 or DO-178C, as well as certifications like Security+ or CISSP, are highly valued. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong teamwork and communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure the development, deployment, and maintenance of complex ISR systems that meet stringent security and performance requirements.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced systems engineers, especially those in senior or specialized roles within industries like aerospace, defense, or technology, can earn $500,000 or more annually. Such salaries often require advanced certifications, extensive expertise, and leadership responsibilities, typically in high-demand or executive-level positions.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior systems engineers, especially those with specialized skills in cybersecurity, cloud computing, or network architecture, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High-level roles often require advanced certifications, extensive experience, and leadership responsibilities within large organizations or consulting firms.

Will AI replace system engineers?

AI is unlikely to fully replace system engineers, as their role involves complex problem-solving, system design, and troubleshooting that require human judgment and expertise. Instead, AI tools are expected to augment their work, automating routine tasks and enabling engineers to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of system development and maintenance.

Do systems engineers get paid a lot?

Systems engineers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry. In general, they are well-compensated, especially those with specialized skills in network infrastructure, cybersecurity, or cloud systems, and often hold certifications like Cisco or CompTIA. Salaries can range from mid to high six figures for senior roles or those working in high-demand sectors.
What are the most commonly searched types of Isr Systems Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Isr Systems Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Isr Systems Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 31% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,215 per year, or $61.2 per hour.
Systems Engineer Expert

Systems Engineer Expert

KBR

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$107K - $146K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


KBR rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

97th of 357 rated engineering


Job description

Title:

Systems Engineer Expert

KBR is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer Expert (SETA) to support our customer in Chantilly, VA. The Senior Systems Engineer Expert serves as a SETA advisor providing highlevel technical expertise to our customer's mission. This role delivers independent systems engineering oversight, ensuring that government interests are protected throughout the design, development, integration, and sustainment of missioncritical space systems. The engineer will guide multidisciplinary teams and contractors across the full systems engineering lifecycle, ensuring technical rigor, mission alignment, and compliance with DoD and Intelligence Community standards. The position requires deep expertise in space system architectures, threatdriven engineering, and the evaluation of emerging technologies for operational relevance. As a SETA professional, the engineer will work closely with government leadership, program offices, and mission partners to ensure resilient, effective, and futureready space capabilities.

Why Join Us?

  • Innovative Projects:KBR's work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.

  • Collaborative Environment:Join a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.

  • Impactful Work:Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Provide SETA support to government program managers, offering independent technical assessments, engineering oversight, and acquisition support for space and counterspace programs.
  • Lead the development, integration, and optimization of space system architectures aligned with our customers mission objectives.
  • Oversee system requirements development, verification, validation, and configuration management across complex multidomain systems.
  • Conduct technical evaluations, design trade studies, and risk assessments to inform government decisionmaking.
  • Direct endtoend lifecycle engineering activities, including concept development, prototyping, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
  • Coordinate with intelligence analysts, operators, and mission partners to ensure system capabilities align with evolving threat environments.
  • Assess contractor performance, technical deliverables, and engineering artifacts to ensure compliance with DoD, IC, and missionspecific standards.
  • Support integration of space domain awareness (SDA), counterspace capabilities, and ISR systems into enterprise architectures.
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation, engineering baselines, and programlevel systems engineering artifacts.

Work Environment:

  • Location: Chantilly, Va and Reston, VA [On-site]

  • Travel Requirements: Minimal

  • Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per wee

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 12+ years of systems engineering experience, including direct work with space, counterspace, or ISR systems within the DoD or Intelligence Community.
  • Demonstrated expertise in systems engineering processes, including requirements development, architecture design, integration, and testing.
  • Active TS/SCI security clearance with eligibility for a polygraph.
  • Experience with DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF), MBSE tools, or similar engineering frameworks.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired)

  • Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • 15+ years of experience supporting space or counterspace programs within the Intelligence Community or national security space enterprise.
  • Experience with advanced modeling and simulation tools, digital engineering environments, or space domain awareness systems.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.


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About KBR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At KBR, we partner with government and industry clients to provide purposeful and comprehensive solutions with an emphasis on efficiency and safety. With a full portfolio of services, proprietary technologies and expertise, our employees are ready to handle projects and missions from planning and design to sustainability and maintenance. Whether at the bottom of the ocean or in outer space, our clients trust us to deliver the impossible on a daily basis.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US

Year founded

1998