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Senior Distributed Systems Engineer Jobs in Arizona

Senior Media Systems Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$127K - $150K/yr

Responsibilities The Senior Media Systems Engineer is accountable for project results and goals set by Unit Head and division level leadership. May be asked to directly oversee the activities of ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Systems Engineer to join our team designing, building, and testing electro-optic mechanical stabilized systems. The Systems Engineer will execute multiple ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Systems Engineer to join our team designing, building, and testing electro-optic mechanical stabilized systems. The Systems Engineer will execute multiple ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

Why This Role MattersWe are seeking a highly skilled Senior Systems Engineer to play a key role in the design, development, testing, and integration of advanced beam directors and optical control ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Oro Valley, AZ · On-site

$89K - $122K/yr

Senior Systems Engineer Job Location: Oro Valley, AZ 85755 United States Job Duration: 4 months of possible extension Job Summary * Applies intensive and diversified knowledge of design principles ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Tucson, AZ

$89K - $122K/yr

Why This Role Matters We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Systems Engineer to play a key role in the design, development, testing, and integration of advanced beam directors and optical control ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Tucson, AZ

$98K - $135K/yr

Systems Engineering and Test Capabilities (SE&TC) offers the opportunity to design, develop, and integrate innovative solutions across the full systems engineering lifecycle. Working in a highly ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Phoenix, AZ

$103K - $142K/yr

Systems Engineering and Test Capabilities (SE&TC) offers the opportunity to design, develop, and integrate innovative solutions across the full systems engineering lifecycle. Working in a highly ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Distributed Systems Engineer information

See Arizona salary details

$52.2K

$116.2K

$164K

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

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior distributed systems engineer in Arizona is $116,236.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,400.00 and $133,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Distributed Systems Engineer vs Cloud Solutions Architect?

AspectSenior Distributed Systems EngineerCloud Solutions Architect
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related, experience with distributed systemsBachelor's/Master's in CS, IT, or related, cloud certifications (AWS, Azure)
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and maintaining distributed systems in tech companiesDesigning cloud infrastructure solutions for clients or internal teams
Industry UsageTech, finance, e-commerce, and enterprise sectorsIT consulting, cloud service providers, enterprise IT departments

The Senior Distributed Systems Engineer focuses on building and optimizing distributed computing systems, while the Cloud Solutions Architect designs cloud infrastructure solutions. Both roles require technical expertise and often overlap in cloud environments, but their primary responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

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

A Senior Distributed Systems Engineer requires deep expertise in computer science fundamentals, scalable system architecture, and proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Go, or Python, often supported by a relevant degree and significant experience in distributed systems. Familiarity with tools like Kubernetes, Docker, Kafka, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) is typically expected, along with knowledge of monitoring and CI/CD pipelines. Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills help in tackling complex engineering challenges and collaborating across teams. These skills are crucial for designing robust, scalable, and reliable systems that support organizational growth and high availability.

How much do senior distributed systems engineers make?

Senior distributed systems engineers typically earn between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often have expertise in cloud platforms, programming languages, and system architecture, which can influence compensation levels.

What are some common challenges senior distributed systems engineers face when designing scalable systems?

Senior Distributed Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing data consistency, ensuring fault tolerance, and minimizing latency across multiple nodes. Balancing trade-offs between availability and partition tolerance (as outlined by the CAP theorem) is a frequent consideration. Additionally, coordinating between development and operations teams to maintain system reliability and efficiently resolve issues that arise in production environments is crucial. Strong communication skills and a deep understanding of distributed architectures help address these complexities effectively.

What is a senior distributed systems engineer?

Senior Distributed Systems Engineers are experienced professionals who design, build, and maintain large-scale computing systems that run across multiple machines or locations. They focus on ensuring reliability, scalability, and performance of distributed applications, often dealing with challenges like data consistency, fault tolerance, and network latency. These engineers typically have deep expertise in distributed computing principles, programming languages, and cloud infrastructure. They also mentor junior team members and help architect robust solutions for complex technical problems.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Distributed Systems Engineer jobs in Arizona?

For Senior Distributed Systems Engineer jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Distributed Systems Engineer jobs in Arizona look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Distributed Systems Engineer jobs in Arizona are:

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Senior Distributed Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Senior Distributed Systems Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Distributed Systems Engineer job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,236 per year, or $55.9 per hour.

Sr. Systems Engineer - Responsible Systems Engineer (RSE)

Raytheon

Tucson, AZ

$98K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 hours ago


Raytheon rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 99 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 539 rated manufacturers


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-07-14

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON-805 ~ 1151 E Hermans Rd ~ BLDG 805

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. 

Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

The Systems Engineering and Test Center (SETC) organization is currently hiring a Senior Systems Engineer – Section Responsible Systems Engineer to join our Tucson, AZ team in the Advanced Technology Effectors System Engineering Department.  The SETC organization is an exciting and challenging environment where you will have the opportunity to design, develop and partner with multi-disciplines to shape innovative solutions for our customers. Join our organization and experience the Systems V engineering life cycle while interfacing with a variety of engineering disciplines, subject matter experts, chief engineers, chief technologists, the customer, and so many more to ensure we design, integrate, and strengthen our systems to work the first time and every time for our warfighters!

As a Senior Systems Engineer – Section Responsible Systems Engineer you will lead the effort to update and maintain all system and subsystem level requirements specifications and be the Systems technical lead ensuring all requirements are being assessed during Verification and Qualification testing.  You will engage with the Systems and Hardware teams and Chief Engineer on a variety of program technical tasks. 

This role is fully Onsite in Tucson, AZ.

What You Will Do

  • Lead effort to update and maintain all system and subsystem level requirements specifications

  • SE technical lead for verification and validation efforts, ensuring all requirements are being assessed during Verification and Qualification Testing

  • SE technical lead, working closely with the Systems and Hardware IPTLs and Chief Engineer on a variety of program technical tasks.

  • Lead Systems Verification Reviews with the Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, and Integrated Product Team Leadership.

  • Become the knowledgeable and ‘go-to’ Systems Engineer for the program.

  • Help to onboard new team members, mentor, and guide them using core Systems Engineering skills.

Qualifications You Must Have

  • Typically requires a Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of five (5) years of prior relevant experience

  • Experience with at least one of the following: systems software, systems firmware, systems hardware, systems requirements, systems integration, and/or systems test.

  • Experience in test planning, verification of system requirements and/or system qualification

Qualifications We Prefer

  • Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Math or Physics

  • Top Secret Clearance

  • Experience in the Defense Industry and specifically with military systems; tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as Department of Defense customer infrastructure experience.

  • Experience using Agile framework development methods / processes

  • Customer focus and collaboration skills

  • Experience with performance analysis

  • Experience with DOORS, Cameo and/or cPDM

  • Understanding of the Systems Engineering Product Development Cycle

  • Experience with Earned Value Management System (EVMS) or Cost Account Management (CAM) Certification

What We Offer

  • Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

  • Relocation Eligible – Relocation assistance available for this position

Learn More & Apply Now!

  • Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role.

  • Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. https://careers.rtx.com/global/en/raytheon-tucson,-az-location

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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