ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Windows Systems Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

MANTECH

Senior Systems Administrator

Arlington, VA · On-site

$99.10K - $134.20K/yr

... experienced Systems Engineers while participating in all phases of the ITIL Service Lifecycle ... Microsoft Windows 10; administering Microsoft Exchange, Active Directory, and workstation and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsSenior Windows Systems Engineer JobsSenior Windows Systems Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Senior Windows Systems Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$37

$66

$82

How much do senior windows systems engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior windows systems engineer in Reston, VA is $66.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58.03 and $78.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Windows Systems Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Windows Systems Engineer, you need expert knowledge of Windows Server environments, Active Directory, and strong troubleshooting skills, typically backed by a bachelor’s degree in IT or related field. Familiarity with tools like PowerShell, virtualization platforms (VMware/Hyper-V), and certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and the capacity to work independently or lead teams distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure reliable system performance, secure infrastructure, and seamless operations within complex enterprise environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Windows Systems Engineers when managing large-scale enterprise environments?

Senior Windows Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring system uptime during maintenance, managing complex Active Directory environments, and troubleshooting issues across multiple Windows servers. Balancing security requirements with user accessibility, keeping up with frequent updates and patches, and coordinating with other IT teams for seamless integration can also be demanding. Effective communication and strong problem-solving skills are key to overcoming these challenges and maintaining a stable, secure infrastructure.

What does a Senior Windows Systems Engineer do?

A Senior Windows Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex Windows-based server environments for organizations. They manage system configurations, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure the security and performance of Windows servers. Additionally, they often lead projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with other IT teams to support business operations. Their role is critical in ensuring that the organization's IT infrastructure runs efficiently and securely.

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

AspectSenior Windows Systems EngineerWindows Systems Administrator
CertificationsMCSE, MCSA, VMwareMCSE, MCSA
Work EnvironmentDesign, implementation, troubleshooting complex systemsDay-to-day maintenance, user support, system monitoring
ResponsibilitiesArchitecting solutions, optimizing performance, leading projectsManaging user accounts, backups, system updates

The Senior Windows Systems Engineer typically focuses on designing and implementing complex Windows infrastructure, while the Windows Systems Administrator handles routine maintenance and support tasks. Both roles require similar certifications and work in Windows-based environments, but the engineer role involves higher-level planning and problem-solving.

What are the most commonly searched types of Windows Systems Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Windows Systems Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Senior Windows Systems Engineer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Senior Windows Systems Engineer job openings:
Senior Windows Systems Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Windows Systems Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,283 per year, or $66 per hour.

Systems Engineer

Systems Planning and Analysis

Alexandria, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Overview
Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.
The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.
Group W provides wargaming, warfare modeling and simulation, software development, data analytics, and operations research/system analysis support to the national security mission. As a leader in the fields of campaign, mission, and wargaming analysis we embrace the cycle of research paradigm, continually seeking to improve the multi-method application of tools, data, methods, and techniques to generate credible and resilient insights to inform decisions on the Department's most challenging issues spanning CONOPs, acquisitions, force structures, tactics, and strategies. Group W is the developer and maintainer of the Synthetic Theater Operations Research Model (STORM), the authoritative M&S tool accepted by the Joint Analytic Community for analysis of theater-level, multi-domain, joint warfare. Similarly, we developed and manage the Standard Wargame Integration and Facilitation Tool (SWIFT) for OSW as an adaptable environment to support joint force combatants' wargaming requirements.
We have an immediate need for a Systems Engineer to provide onsite support at the Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia.
Responsibilities
SPA seeks a passionate and versatile Systems Engineer to work with a team of high-performance system administrators and security professionals to deploy, configure, and maintain secure Windows and Linux systems. The Systems Engineer will maintain secure application and database servers in accordance with DISA STIGs and work with software developers to deploy applications from development servers to production environments. Additional responsibilities include configuring web servers to host a variety of applications, administering and deploying SQL Server instances and databases, developing and executing SQL scripts, backing up and restoring databases, and managing database permissions. The Systems Engineer will also assist with managing organization cloud-based resources and support developers' access to applications and workspaces. On an as-needed basis, the Systems Engineer will support the physical security team by managing access tokens and performing routine security checks and other tasks.
Qualifications
Required:
  • 7+ years of experience deploying and maintaining server operating systems in a secure Federal environment.
  • Active CompTia Security+ certification.
  • Experience deploying and maintaining Windows based web application servers and SQL database servers.
  • Proficiency in Windows Server installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
  • Proficiency in SQL database management systems (DBMS).
  • Active DoW Secret clearance.
  • Able to work fully onsite based upon client needs.

Desired:
  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university.
  • Proven expertise in system administration tasks including user management, permissions, file systems, disk and package management, network configuration, and security administration.
  • Familiarity with system hardening techniques to secure Linux and Windows servers/workstations, adhering to DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) by configuring firewalls, managing user permissions, and implementing encryption.
  • Understanding of network protocols, security principles, and hands-on experience in network configuration and troubleshooting on Windows and/or Linux platforms.
  • Experience with intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), vulnerability scanning tools, security information and event management (SIEM) systems.
  • Capability to swiftly resolve security incidents on both Linux and Windows systems.
  • Experience administering on the Amazon Web Services platform, including Amazon Workspaces.
  • Knowledge of virtualization technologies like KVM, VMware, or Docker.
  • Proficiency in Linux OS installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance, particularly on RHEL distributions.
  • Strong proficiency in MySQL database management systems (DBMS).
  • Active DoW TS/SCI clearance.

Apply