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Senior Communications Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

KBR, Inc.

Sr RF Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$183K - $274K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Communications Systems Engineer to provide systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) services to our government customer. This position supports space and ground ...

Peraton

Optical Communications Systems Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$104K - $166K/yr

Peraton is seeking an Optical Communications Systems Engineering (SE) Expert to support the design, development, integration, and optimization of optical communication systems for SATCOM projects. In ...

Eastern Communications

Senior Systems Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$115K - $157K/yr

Company Overview Eastern Communications, Ltd. is a critical communications provider based in Long ... Role Overview Reporting to the System Engineering Manager, the role of Senior Systems Engineer is ...

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Senior Communications Systems Engineer information

See salary details

$43.5K

$93.2K

$154K

How much do senior communications systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior communications systems engineer in the United States is $93,159.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,500.00 and $100,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior communications systems engineer do?

A Senior Communications Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining complex communication systems, such as wireless networks, satellite communications, or radio frequency systems. They lead engineering teams, oversee system integration, and ensure that communication systems meet performance, security, and reliability standards. These professionals also analyze technical requirements, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with other departments to deliver effective solutions. Their work often involves staying updated with the latest technologies and industry standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior communications systems engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Communications Systems Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, telecommunications, and systems integration, usually supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree and relevant industry experience. Familiarity with RF design tools, simulation software (such as MATLAB or Simulink), and certifications like Cisco CCNP or relevant security clearances are commonly required. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, project leadership, and effective communication skills set top candidates apart in this role. These competencies are essential to ensure robust, secure, and efficient communications solutions in complex technical environments.

What are some common challenges faced by senior communications systems engineers when integrating new technologies into existing infrastructure?

Senior Communications Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between new and legacy systems, minimizing downtime during transitions, and meeting stringent security requirements. They must also manage stakeholder expectations by clearly communicating potential risks and timelines. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—including IT, network operations, and project management—is essential to address technical issues and maintain seamless system performance throughout the integration process.

What is the difference between Senior Communications Systems Engineer vs Communications Systems Engineer?

AspectSenior Communications Systems EngineerCommunications Systems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, certifications like CCNA, CCNPBachelor's in Engineering or related field, certifications like CCNA
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and oversee complex communication systems in corporate, government, or military settingsAssist in designing and maintaining communication systems, often under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageTelecommunications, defense, aerospace, government agenciesTelecom companies, network providers, government agencies

The Senior Communications Systems Engineer typically has more experience, handles complex projects, and may lead teams, whereas the Communications Systems Engineer focuses on supporting and implementing communication systems under supervision. Both roles require similar technical credentials and are used across similar industries, but the senior role involves greater responsibility and expertise.

What cities are hiring for Senior Communications Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Communications Systems Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Senior Communications Systems Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Communications Systems Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Communications Systems Engineer jobs?

For Senior Communications Systems Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Senior Communications Systems Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,159 per year, or $44.8 per hour.

Communications Systems Engineer (Optical/Quantum)

Chantilly, VA • On-site

SAIC
IT Services • 10K+ employees
Learn more about SAICexternal

$160K - $200K/yr

Other

Re-posted 8 days ago

SAIC rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 82 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job ID: 2615281
Location: Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted: 2026-08-06
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Systems Engineer
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
?SAIC is seeking a Communications Systems Engineer with strong optical and quantum communications engineering experience to support specialized analysis, engineering, design, and operations for Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of War (DoW) customers. We support development of next-generation and far-future national security systems across land, sea, air, and space domains.
We are hiring a Communications Systems Engineer to provide systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) support to an IC Research & Development (R&D) customer developing advanced hardware, software, and architectural solutions for mission-critical optical and quantum communication systems.
Responsibilities
Perform technical reviews, assessments, and risk evaluations of optical and quantum communication system development efforts at the component, subsystem, system, and architecture levels.
Evaluate designs and technologies including optical terminals, free-space optical links, photonic components, entanglement-based communication architectures, and quantum-enhanced optical subsystems.
Assess emerging technologies and identify gaps related to high-bandwidth space links, advanced modulation formats, pointing/tracking systems, link budgets, networking performance, and secure quantum-enabled transport architectures.
Support development of technology roadmaps, requirements, specifications, verification approaches, and transition strategies for optical and quantum system modernization.
Conduct technical outreach with mission users to capture needs and evaluate applicability of emerging optical and quantum capabilities.
Prepare system engineering documentation, technical analyses, and program-level briefings to communicate findings and strategic recommendations.
Provide support to programmatic and acquisition activities, including source selections, lifecycle documentation, and system integration planning.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or related discipline and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience
Experience with USG program management and acquisition lifecycle processes and documentation.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and technical writing communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.
Desired Qualifications
Master's degree in engineering, physics, or related discipline.
12+ years of relevant experience, including at least 4 years in optical or quantum communication systems.
1+ year of experience supporting USG R&D acquisition processes and documentation.
Experience with space-based optical terminals, quantum optical payloads, photonic systems, or advanced quantum-enhanced communication architectures
Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .

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