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Senior Staff Systems Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Senior Systems Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Senior Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (needs to be within 1 hour of DMV) Compensation: $83-89/hr ... In this role, you will lead and mentor engineering staff, manage critical infrastructure projects ...

Systems Engineer Senior

Arlington, VA · On-site

$119K - $163K/yr

S.-only staffing context; U.S. citizenship required. Preferred Qualifications * INCOSE CSEP or equivalent senior systems engineering credential. * Prior experience leading systems engineering on ...

Senior Staff Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$105K - $145K/yr

Senior Staff Engineer As a Senior Staff Engineer at Capital One, you will be a part of a community ... Serve as an authoritative expert on non-functional system characteristics, such as performance ...

Senior Staff Engineer

Mclean, VA · Hybrid

$105K - $145K/yr

Senior Staff Engineer As a Senior Staff Engineer at Capital One, you will be a part of a community ... Serve as an authoritative expert on non-functional system characteristics, such as performance ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

Responsibilities The Senior Systems Engineer will support data-driven decision-making for complex Department of War programs by applying systems engineering discipline, data analysis, and rapid ...

The Senior Systems Engineer will support data-driven decision-making for complex Department of War programs by applying systems engineering discipline, data analysis, and rapid visualization ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Responsibilities The Senior Systems Engineer will support data-driven decision-making for complex Department of War programs by applying systems engineering discipline, data analysis, and rapid ...

Sr Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$150K - $195K/yr

Overview VTG is looking for a Sr Systems Engineer , located in Chantilly, Va . What will you do? Overview : Seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to provide comprehensive Systems Engineering and ...

Sr Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$150K - $195K/yr

Overview VTG is looking for a Sr Systems Engineer , located in Chantilly, Va . What will you do? Overview : Seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to provide comprehensive Systems Engineering and ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$135K - $185K/yr

Overview VTG is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer in Springfield, VA. What will you do? Systems Engineers employ a multi-discipline approach to requirements engineering, solutions engineering ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$135K - $185K/yr

Overview VTG is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer in Springfield, VA. What will you do? Systems Engineers employ a multi-discipline approach to requirements engineering, solutions engineering ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Staff Systems Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$58.3K

$129.8K

$183.1K

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

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior staff systems engineer in Reston, VA is $129,766.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,700.00 and $148,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior staff systems engineer do?

A Senior Staff Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, integrating, and managing complex systems within an organization. They lead technical projects, provide expert guidance on system architecture, and ensure that all components work together seamlessly. Their role often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, troubleshooting high-level system issues, and developing strategies to improve system performance and reliability. Senior Staff Systems Engineers are also expected to mentor junior engineers and contribute to long-term technology planning.

How does a senior staff systems engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during complex projects?

As a Senior Staff Systems Engineer, you'll frequently work alongside software, hardware, and product management teams to design and integrate complex system solutions. This role often involves facilitating technical discussions, translating requirements across disciplines, and ensuring that all components align with the overall system architecture. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential, as you may mentor junior engineers and coordinate project milestones across departments. Effective collaboration helps ensure timely delivery and high-quality results in fast-paced engineering environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior staff systems engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Staff Systems Engineer, you need deep expertise in systems architecture, integration, and engineering principles, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and extensive industry experience. Familiarity with systems modeling tools (e.g., SysML), requirements management platforms, and certifications like INCOSE CSEP are often expected. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help you coordinate cross-functional teams and drive project success. These skills ensure robust system design, seamless integration, and the delivery of complex technical solutions that meet organizational goals.

What is the difference between Senior Staff Systems Engineer vs Lead Systems Engineer?

AspectSenior Staff Systems EngineerLead Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in Engineering, certifications like CISSP, PMP often preferredSimilar educational background, often with additional leadership certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and optimize complex systems; collaborate across teamsOversees project execution, manages teams, and ensures system integration
Industry UsageCommon in aerospace, defense, and large tech firmsUsed in similar industries, often with a focus on project leadership
Search & Comparison IntentFocuses on technical expertise and system designEmphasizes leadership and project management skills

The main difference is that a Senior Staff Systems Engineer primarily focuses on advanced technical system development, while a Lead Systems Engineer combines technical expertise with leadership responsibilities overseeing projects and teams.

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Senior Staff Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Senior Staff Systems Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Staff Systems Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,766 per year, or $62.4 per hour.

Senior Systems Engineer

Springfield, VA • On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Senior Systems Engineer

Location: Hybrid (needs to be within 1 hour of DMV)

Compensation: $83-89/hr (Final Compensation will be dependent on experience and skillset)

6 month contract-to-hire

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our client is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer with over 10 years of experience to provide technical leadership and operational support across enterprise virtual, cloud, and on-premises environments. In this role, you will lead and mentor engineering staff, manage critical infrastructure projects—including OS patching, upgrades, migrations, Zero Trust initiatives, firewall refreshes, and data center modernization—and ensure system availability, security, and operational excellence. You will be responsible for advanced troubleshooting, disaster recovery planning and execution, backup and restoration management, and close coordination with network, data center, and incident management teams. This position requires strong expertise in server infrastructure, virtualization, cloud technologies, and system administration, as well as excellent communication, documentation, and leadership skills. A BA/BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is required, and candidates must be eligible for Public Trust clearance.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Lead and mentor engineering staff while providing operations and maintenance support for enterprise server environments
  • Manage infrastructure projects including OS patching, upgrades, migrations, Zero Trust initiatives, firewall refreshes, and data center modernization
  • Perform advanced troubleshooting, remediation, and onsite support for critical infrastructure events
  • Design, build, test, deploy, and migrate systems across data center and cloud environments
  • Coordinate with network, data center, and incident management teams during operational events
  • Support disaster recovery planning, testing, documentation, and execution
  • Manage backups, recovery testing, and restoration activities to maintain service availability and SLA compliance
WHAT YOU BRING
  • 10+ years of systems engineering experience in enterprise environments
  • Strong experience with server infrastructure, virtualization, cloud technologies, and system administration
  • Experience leading infrastructure modernization and migration efforts
  • Knowledge of disaster recovery, backup/recovery processes, and operational best practices
  • Strong communication, documentation, and leadership skills
  • BA/BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
  • Eligible for Public Trust (previously held or current)
  • Ability to work hybrid within 1 hour of DMV area
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