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System Engineer Lead Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Ercot

Planning Engineer Lead

Taylor, TX · On-site

$103K - $136K/yr

Implements appropriate system modeling, develops tools and procedures to monitor and control the ... Engineer Lead: Minimum 8 years experience as a power system engineer within the electric utility ...

Ercot

Planning Engineer Lead

Taylor, TX · On-site

$103K - $136K/yr

Develops and applies power system models, analytical methods, tools, and procedures to assess ... The Lead Engineer serves as a senior technical contributor, leading engineering assignments and ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsSystem Engineer Lead JobsSystem Engineer Lead Jobs in Austin, TX

System Engineer Lead information

See Austin, TX salary details

$90.2K

$197.6K

$250.8K

How much do system engineer lead jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for system engineer lead in Austin, TX is $197,575.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $165,500.00 and $250,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a system engineer lead typically collaborate with other teams during large-scale projects?

A System Engineer Lead plays a central role in coordinating efforts across multiple technical and non-technical teams during large-scale projects. They often act as a bridge between software developers, network engineers, IT support, and project managers to ensure that system requirements are clearly understood and implemented. Regular meetings, documentation reviews, and status updates are common practices to maintain alignment and address potential integration issues early. This cross-functional collaboration not only ensures smooth project delivery but also helps the System Engineer Lead identify risks and propose solutions proactively.

What is the difference between System Engineer Lead vs System Engineer?

AspectSystem Engineer LeadSystem Engineer
CertificationsTypically holds certifications like Cisco CCNP, CompTIA Network+, or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)Often has similar certifications but may not have leadership-specific credentials
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, and coordinates system implementationsFocuses on designing, implementing, and maintaining systems
ResponsibilitiesOversees system projects, mentors team members, and ensures project deliveryExecutes technical tasks, troubleshoots issues, and supports system operations

The main difference between a System Engineer Lead and a System Engineer lies in leadership and project management responsibilities. The Lead not only possesses technical expertise but also guides teams and manages projects, whereas the System Engineer primarily focuses on technical execution and system maintenance.

What is a system engineer lead?

A System Engineer Lead is a senior technical professional responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and maintenance of complex IT systems within an organization. They lead a team of system engineers, coordinate projects, and ensure that systems meet business requirements for reliability, security, and scalability. In addition to technical expertise, they often handle project management duties, mentor junior staff, and serve as a bridge between technical teams and management. Their role is crucial in ensuring that IT infrastructure supports organizational goals efficiently.

Is a system engineer lead a high paying job?

A system engineer lead typically earns a higher salary compared to entry-level system engineers due to increased responsibilities and experience. Salaries vary by industry, location, and company, but this role is generally considered well-compensated within the engineering field, often including benefits and opportunities for bonuses. Certifications like Cisco or Microsoft can also influence earning potential.

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

To thrive as a System Engineer Lead, you need expertise in systems architecture, troubleshooting, and project management, often backed by a degree in computer science or engineering and relevant experience. Familiarity with automation tools, cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and certifications like CompTIA, Microsoft, or Cisco are typically expected. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities are crucial soft skills for guiding teams and managing complex projects. These skills are essential for ensuring robust system performance, seamless team collaboration, and successful delivery of technical solutions.
System Engineer Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various System Engineer Lead job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $197,575 per year, or $95 per hour.

Lead Photonics System Engineer

JABIL CIRCUIT, INC

Buda, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Jabil rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 117 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

95th of 157 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Job Posting Title:    Lead Photonics System Engineer

Jabil is seeking a Lead Photonics System Engineer focused on enabling design and manufacturing services for cutting edge Co-Packaged-Optics (CPO) systems, which present new challenges with the integration density of photonic elements at the box and rack level at the EMS environment.
This position engages with leading edge technology companies. You will help transform photonics as an industry, while contributing to the rapid transformative growth within the Intelligent Infrastructure business unit. Lead photonics systems engineers in this team have responsibility for a diverse array of functions, all rooted on their deep technical understanding of photonic communication links, components, and wireline systems.

The job scope includes establishing product engineering expertise for photonic systems both in the central engineering organization as well as the manufacturing sites, early client engagement to understand the requirements and potential manufacturing yield risks, designing test and debug strategy, and providing optical system design services as part of Jabil’s design services capabilities.
Note: This is NOT a lab position. This is NOT research & development. This is production scale photonics manufacturing in a hyperscale environment. You are a leader within a global manufacturing team applying photonics technology to the manufacturing of server and racks for datacenters.
Please note that this position requires more than 50% travel. You can be located anywhere in the USA for this position as a result.

What will you do? -  

  • Provide product subject matter expertise to support manufacturing line bringup and NPI activities for CPO systems in Jabil’s factories, in particular focusing on process design, yield analysis, and root-causing of failure modes to drive yield improvement.

  • Develop test strategy, quality control gates, and rework flows with the test engineering and industrial engineering teams to establish process control, early fault detection, and effective rework flows.

  • Define yield, throughput, and parametric-data dashboards (as well as automated data analysis) for implementation with the work cell and data engineering teams to allow SPC implementation and drive systematic yield improvement processes.

  • Participate in client interactions to funnel in specs, requirements required for system CPO system design.

  • Support product design phase with DFM and FMEA guidance.

  • Train and provide technical guidance to factory product engineers through manufacturing NPI and volume ramp phases.

  • Maintain an ongoing engagement with the factory operations and engineering teams to continuously drive process and yield improvements, provide engineering support as required for tackling manufacturing issues.

  • Keep abreast of new technologies pertaining to the co-packaged-optics systems with a focus on photonics packaging, fiber-optic connectivity, test and metrology methods and equipment.

  • Evaluate and qualify new offerings in area of fiber-optic connectivity (such as blind-mate connectors, shuffle cables, various supporting tooling) to support design activities as well as tool adoption on factory floor.

  • Keep abreast of new technologies pertaining to the co-packaged-optics systems with a focus on photonics packaging, fiber-optic connectivity, test and metrology methods and equipment.

  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

How will you get here? – 

Education: 

  • Relevant 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics or a similar field is required

Experience: 

  • 6+ years of photonics communication system (optical engine / transceiver / switch box / networking rack) development or product engineering in the datacom / telecom industry is required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:  

  • Possesses deep expertise in photonics and optical communication links, associated component / module specs and test methods in R&D and manufacturing for defect detection.

  • Manufacturing experience.

  • This is NOT a lab position. This is NOT research & development. This is production scale photonics manufacturing in a hyperscale environment.

  • 6+ years of photonics communication system (optical engine / transceiver / switch box / networking rack) development or product engineering in the datacom / telecom industry is required

  • Capable of hands-on setting up of DC/RF electro-optical testbenches, including basic test automation coding in Python or similar.

  • Highly detail oriented, highly organized & methodical thinker.

  • Able to tackle engineering challenges and devise structured R&D programs for process development.

  • Independent, action-oriented, entrepreneurial, and with high sense of product ownership.

  • Able to travel up to 70% both domestically and internationally

  • Advantage to experience working with manufacturing partners / in-house manufacturing of optical communication systems

  • Advantage to product-engineering experience in NPI and volume manufacturing ramp phases of optical communication components / modules / systems.

  • Strong preference to advanced degrees in electrical engineering or applied physics

What Jabil employees say

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About Jabil

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Jabil is a manufacturing solutions provider with over 260,000 employees across 100 locations in 30 countries. The world's leading brands rely on Jabil's unmatched breadth and depth of end-market experience, technical and design capabilities, manufacturing know-how, supply chain insights and global product management expertise. Driven by a common purpose, Jabil and its people are committed to making a positive impact on their local community and the environment.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Petersburg, FL, US

Year founded

1966

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