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Senior Systems Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Systems Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$111K - $152K/yr

Title: Senior Systems Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Senior Systems Engineer Location: Irvine, CA Work Arrangement: On-Site Position Summary As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will lead the systems engineering activities for Long Endurance ISR UAS ...

Senior Systems Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$111K - $152K/yr

Title: Senior Systems Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Senior Systems Engineer Location: Irvine, CA Work Arrangement: On-Site Position Summary As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will lead the systems engineering activities for Long Endurance ISR UAS ...

Sr. Systems Engineer

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$109K - $149K/yr

As Senior Systems Engineer, you will serve as the lead onsite technical anchor and trusted IT advisor for our premier VIP client in Costa Mesa, CA. Backed by our remote senior cloud architects, you ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Riverside, CA · On-site

$109K - $149K/yr

Job Title Senior Systems Engineer Location Riverside, CA US (Primary) Category Research, Development, and Engineering Job Type Full-Time Career Level Staff Education Bachelor's Degree Travel None ...

Sr. Systems Engineer

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$110K - $151K/yr

As Senior Systems Engineer, you will serve as the lead onsite technical anchor and trusted IT advisor for our premier VIP client in Costa Mesa, CA. Backed by our remote senior cloud architects, you ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Systems Engineer is a high-level individual contributor specializing in Perforce Helix Core to support, enhance, and optimize critical source control infrastructure. This ...

Position Summary The Senior Systems Engineer is a high-level individual contributor specializing in Perforce Helix Core to support, enhance, and optimize critical source control infrastructure. This ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Long Beach, CA

$109K - $150K/yr

As a Senior Systems Engineer you will be leading the creation, development, streamlining, and or eliminating Systems Engineering processes across the company to support an efficient, product-focused ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$111K - $177K/yr

Senior Systems Engineer Reporting To: Head, Engrg. Sect. Work Schedule: Onsite - Santa Barbara, CA To be considered for this role, here's what you'll need to bring with you: * BS with an emphasis in ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$111K - $177K/yr

Senior Systems Engineer Reporting To: Head, Engrg. Sect. Work Schedule: Onsite - Santa Barbara, CA To be considered for this role, here's what you'll need to bring with you: * BS with an emphasis in ...

Sr. Systems Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$123K - $168K/yr

As a Sr. Systems Engineer at Reliable Robotics, you will be a part of the System Development team and will report to the Director of System Development. The System Development Team is responsible for ...

Senior Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$94K - $178K/yr

Overview VTG is seeking Senior Systems Engineers to serve as subject matter experts on the AN/SQQ-89(V) Undersea Warfare combat system in San Diego, CA, and Hampton Roads, VA . These positions lead ...

Sr. Systems Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site +1

$190K - $300K/yr

As a Sr. Systems Engineer at Reliable Robotics, you will be a part of the System Development team and will report to the Director of System Development. The System Development Team is responsible for ...

Showing results 41-60

Senior Systems Engineer information

See California salary details

$55.3K

$123.1K

$173.7K

How much do senior systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior systems engineer in California is $123,099.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,100.00 and $141,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior systems engineer?

A senior systems engineer is an IT (information technology) professional tasked with designing and maintaining network systems and security. Examples include large server or storage systems, computer networks, and mainframes. As a systems engineer, your primary duties are to oversee the daily operations of your facility and lead a team of engineers in designing new systems to replace old ones. You may work for a company that provides engineering services and solutions for other businesses, or you may be part of a large university or other institution's IT department. Skills needed for the career include the ability to work independently, leadership, and analytical problem-solving. A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or IT and significant experience in a lower systems engineering position are essential qualifications.

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

To thrive as a Senior Systems Engineer, you need expertise in systems architecture, troubleshooting, and network administration, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field and several years of relevant experience. Familiarity with virtualization platforms, cloud services (like AWS or Azure), automation tools (such as Ansible or PowerShell), and certifications like CompTIA, Microsoft, or Cisco are often required. Outstanding problem-solving, communication, and project management skills help you lead initiatives and collaborate effectively across teams. These competencies are crucial for ensuring system reliability, scalability, and security in complex IT environments.

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

Senior Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between legacy systems and new technologies, minimizing downtime during migrations, and addressing unforeseen security vulnerabilities. Effective integration requires thorough planning, cross-team collaboration, and detailed testing to avoid disruptions to business operations. Staying current with emerging technologies and adopting best practices for change management are essential for overcoming these challenges and ensuring smooth implementation.

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

AspectSenior Systems EngineerSystems Administrator
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA, Microsoft certificationsCompTIA A+, Network+, Microsoft certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning, implementing, and troubleshooting complex systemsManaging daily system operations and user support
Industry UsageIT, technology, enterprise environmentsIT support, small to medium businesses

While both roles involve working with IT systems, Senior Systems Engineers focus on designing and implementing complex infrastructure, whereas Systems Administrators handle routine maintenance and user support. The senior role typically requires more advanced certifications and experience, and often involves strategic planning and system architecture.

What are the most commonly searched types of Systems Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Systems Engineer jobs in California are:

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Systems Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Systems Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,099 per year, or $59.2 per hour.

Senior Systems Engineer

KBR, Inc.

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$111K - $152K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


KBR rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 48 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

144th of 450 rated engineering


Job description

Title:
Senior Systems Engineer
Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!
KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country's most critical role - protecting our national security.
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: Be part of 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.

KBR is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer to join our small, hand-selected team supporting the Space Data Network Backbone (SDN-B) Program Management Office (PMO) within the US Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Spectrum Warfare Division (SYD 89/SW). You will work on-site, co-located and closely integrated with the Government Customer. An active TS/SCI clearance is required.
Key Responsibilities:
• Support a broad range of systems engineering activities across the program lifecycle, including system requirements definition, design, interface management, data architecture development, verification and validation, integration, performance analysis, lifecycle cost analysis & estimation, decision analysis, and physical configuration assessments
• Serve as customer-facing technical point of contact and as a lead for technical discussions and technical issue resolution.
• Coordinate cross-functional and multi-organizational efforts to ensure system architecture and design align with project requirements.
• Represent the team in a technical capacity to the government customer and external organizations
• Manage integration seams with external stakeholders/users, including the Intelligence Community (IC) and Golden Dome for America (GDA)
• Provide general and technical engineering support for the development of operations centers, space vehicles, payloads, and related space systems.
• Oversee requirements and interface verification.
• Ensure the logical and systematic conversion of product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints
• Support development of system engineering items such as CONOPs, requirements definitions, system testing, algorithm document review, and interfaces to other application development efforts
• Support the development and refinement of acquisition strategies as well as identifying program execution issues and provide recommendations when possible
• Analyze system requirements that define the technical baseline and verification of the technical baseline
• Review proposed changes to the technical baseline for impacts to enterprise capabilities and to cross-stakeholder integration concerns
• Attend and contribute to program and project management meetings and collaboration sessions
• Facilitate communication and prepare/update plans of action and milestones (PoAMs)
• Lead problem documentation and problem-solving efforts
• Author, review, and coordinate documents and data to aid Government decision-making.
• Actively participate and represent the customer in various Government and contractor meetings; attend program and technical reviews (e.g., PMRs, PDRs, CDRs, and other milestone and coordination meetings) to provide technical and programmatic system recommendations and risk assessments.
Required Skills:
• Ten or more years of demonstrated experience in systems engineering
• Master's degree or equivalent years of related experience in lieu of a Master's degree
• Excellent communication skills, customer relationship skills, organizational skills, and technical proficiencies
• Demonstrated expertise in systems engineering concepts and processes
• Able to develop, communicate, and implement solutions for complex technical issues
• Self-starting skills and the ability to work efficiently under deadlines with little to no supervision
• Proficiency in MS Office products, MS Teams, and other collaborative tools
• An active TS/SCI Security Clearance is required to be considered for this position
Desired Skills:
• Previous DoD, Air Force, or Space Force, or Space Systems Command (SSC) systems engineering experience
• Previous experience supporting PMOs in the acquisition of complex systems and/or capabilities
Work Environment:
  • Location: El Segundo, CA
  • Travel Requirements: Approximately 20% travel required
  • Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week

Basic Compensation:
$170- 220k
The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.
Additional Compensation:
KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of a sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.
KBR Benefits
KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you're excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let's shape the future together.
Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
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