1

System Engineer Phd Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

A PhD in a Qualified Engineering Field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university plus two (2) years of systems engineering experience. Required Technical Skills * Containers ...

SME System Engineer SME System Engineers to provide SETA (Systems Engineering & Technical ... PhD preferred) * Active Top Secret SCI with CI Poly or the ability to get a CI Poly after hire ...

SME System Engineer SME System Engineers to provide SETA (Systems Engineering & Technical ... PhD preferred) * Active Top Secret SCI with CI Poly or the ability to get a CI Poly after hire ...

OR * A PhD in a Qualified Engineering Field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university plus thirteen (13) years of systems engineering experience. Required Technical Skills

SME System Engineer SME System Engineers to provide SETA (Systems Engineering & Technical ... PhD preferred) * Active Top Secret SCI with CI Poly or the ability to get a CI Poly after hire ...

OR * A PhD in a Qualified Engineering Field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university plus thirteen (13) years of systems engineering experience. Required Technical Skills

OR * A PhD in a Qualified Engineering Field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university plus thirteen (13) years of systems engineering experience. Required Technical Skills

New

A PhD in a Qualified Engineering Field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university plus eight (8) years of systems engineering experience. Required Technical Skills * Linux ...

A PhD in a Qualified Engineering Field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university plus eight (8) years of systems engineering experience. Required Technical Skills * Linux ...

System Engineer 4

Linthicum Heights, MD · On-site

$68.92 - $125.89/hr

A PhD in a Qualified Engineering Field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university plus eight (8) years of systems engineering experience. Required Technical Skills * Linux ...

Senior System Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$108K - $147K/yr

Senior System Engineer Senior System Engineers to provide SETA (Systems Engineering & Technical ... PhD preferred) * Active Top Secret SCI with CI Poly or the ability to get a CI Poly after hire ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

System Engineer Phd information

See Washington salary details

$60.6K

$144.1K

$189.1K

How much do system engineer phd jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for system engineer phd in Washington is $144,083.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,000.00 and $177,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding advanced degrees, or possessing rare expertise in areas like machine learning or systems architecture.

Is a PhD worth it as an engineer?

A PhD can enhance a system engineer's expertise, especially in research, development, and specialized technical roles. It may lead to higher-level positions, increased salary potential, and opportunities in academia or advanced R&D, but it also requires significant time and effort with no guaranteed immediate job advantage. The decision depends on career goals and industry demands.

What are common challenges System Engineer PhDs face when transitioning from academia to industry roles?

System Engineer PhDs often encounter challenges when shifting from academic research to industry, such as adapting to faster project timelines and working within cross-functional teams. In industry, there is typically a greater emphasis on practical application and collaboration, rather than theoretical exploration. Adjusting to structured workflows and aligning technical solutions with business objectives are also key transitions. However, this environment offers opportunities to see the tangible impact of your work and to advance into senior technical or leadership roles.

What is the difference between System Engineer Phd vs Network Engineer?

AspectSystem Engineer PhdNetwork Engineer
Required CredentialsPhd in Engineering or related field, possibly with certifications like Cisco or CompTIAAssociate's or Bachelor's in Computer Science or related, with certifications like Cisco CCNA or CCNP
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, or advanced technical teams in tech companiesNetwork operations centers, IT departments, or telecommunications firms
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, tech companies, or organizations requiring advanced system designTelecom providers, enterprise IT, or service providers

The main difference between a System Engineer Phd and a Network Engineer lies in their focus and qualifications. System Engineers with a Phd typically engage in advanced system design, research, and development, often in research or high-tech environments. Network Engineers focus on designing, implementing, and maintaining network infrastructure, usually with industry certifications. Both roles are essential in tech industries but serve different technical needs and expertise levels.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior system engineers, especially those with advanced skills in cloud computing, cybersecurity, or network architecture, can earn $200,000 or more annually. Achieving this level often requires extensive experience, specialized certifications, and working in high-demand industries or senior leadership roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a System Engineer PhD, and why are they important?

To thrive as a System Engineer PhD, you need advanced knowledge of systems engineering principles, research methodologies, and typically a doctorate in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink), systems engineering software (e.g., IBM DOORS), and relevant industry certifications are highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you lead complex projects and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are essential for driving innovation, ensuring robust system design, and successfully managing sophisticated engineering challenges.

What are System Engineer PhDs?

System Engineer PhDs are professionals who have earned a doctoral degree (PhD) in systems engineering or a closely related field. They specialize in designing, analyzing, and managing complex systems across various industries, such as aerospace, defense, IT, and manufacturing. Their advanced education enables them to conduct research, develop innovative solutions, and lead multidisciplinary teams to tackle large-scale engineering challenges. System Engineer PhDs often work in academia, research institutions, or high-level industry roles, focusing on optimizing system processes and integration.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, systems engineering, or engineering management can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with bonuses, stock options, or in high-demand industries like technology or aerospace. Achieving this level typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and often leadership roles or ownership of critical projects.
Infographic showing various System Engineer Phd job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,083 per year, or $69.3 per hour.
System Engineer 3

System Engineer 3

Wyetech

Annapolis Junction, MD

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

At Wyetech, you'll be at the center of an award-winning corporate culture, breaking technological barriers and solving real-world problems for our federal government customers. We are committed to hiring the best of the best, and in return, we offer a world-class, truly unique employee experience that is rare within our industry.
 
Applies systems engineering principles throughout the systems life cycle phases: Concept, Development, Production, Utilization, Support, and Retirement. Interacts with the Government regarding Systems Engineering technical considerations and for associated problems, issues or conflicts. Communicates with other program personnel, government overseers, and senior executives. Responsibility for the technical integrity, quality, and completeness of work performed and deliverables associated with one or more of the 25 process areas defined by ISO/IEC15288:
 
Technical Process Area - Stakeholder Requirements Definition, Requirements Analysis, Architectural Design, Implementation, Integration, Verification, Transition, Validation, Operation, Maintenance, and Disposal;
Project Process Area - Project Planning, Project Assessment and Control, Decision Management, Risk Management, Configuration Management, Information Management, and Measurement; 
Enterprise (Organizational Project-Enabling) Process Area - Project Portfolio Management, Infrastructure Management, Lifecycle Model Management, Human Resource Management, and Quality Management; 
Agreement Process Area - Acquisition and Supply.
 
Due to federal contract requirements, United States Citizenship and position appropriate security clearance is required. (e.g. Active TS/SCI security clearance with agency appropriate polygraph).
Capabilities
  • Perform systems engineering activities and assist in the preparation of a work product in Technical Process Areas associated with the ISO/IEC 15288.
  • Perform systems engineering activities and assist in the preparation of multiple work products in Project and/or Technical Process Areas associated with any of the ISO/IEC 15288 processes.
  • Assist in performing systems engineering activities in the ISO/IEC 15288 Agreement or Enterprise Process Areas.
  • Perform analysis of technical alternatives for a project and make preliminary recommendations.
  • Develop and deliver a work product in any of the ISO/IEC 15288 Process Areas.
  • Perform systems engineering activities and develop and deliver work products of either the ISO/IEC 15288 Agreement or Enterprise Process Areas.
  • Independently analyze, and recommend alternatives for elements of project's technical design.
  • Perform systems engineering activities and develop and deliver work products in each of the ISO/IEC 15288 Project and Technical Process Areas
Required Qualifications
  • TS/SCI with agency appropriate poly
  •  A Bachelor's degree in a Qualified Engineering Field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university plus six (6) years of systems engineering experience 
OR
  • A High School Diploma or GED plus ten (10) years of general system engineering experience (any Process Area). 
OR
  • A Master's degree in a Qualified Engineering Field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university plus four (4) years of systems engineering experience 
OR
  • A PhD in a Qualified Engineering Field or a related discipline from an accredited college or university plus two (2) years of systems engineering experience. 
Required Technical Skills
  • Containers/Cloud environments
  • Storage Management
  • Virtualization
  • Ip networking and Firewall exp.
  • ALL LINUX
  • Solid understanding of PKI/TLS/crypto including crypto policies
  • Exp w/ automation tools is a bonus
  • Application support and general troubleshooting
  • SSP compliance and STE/STN support on Linux systems.
The Benefits Package
  • Wyetech believes in generously supporting employees as they prepare for retirement. The company automatically contributes 20% of each employee's gross compensation to a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA, with no requirement for employee matching. All contributions are fully vested from day one, ensuring immediate ownership of retirement funds. 
 
Additional benefits include:
  • Wyetech provides a generous PTO plan of up to 200 hours annually, aligned with applicable state leave regulations. Employees have the flexibility to adjust their PTO allocation at the start of each calendar year, ensuring it meets their evolving needs.
 
Full-time employees have the option to participate in a variety of voluntary benefit plans including:
  • A Choice of Medical Plan Options, some with Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Vision and Dental
  • Life and AD&D Benefits
  • Short and Long-Term Disability
  • Hospital Indemnity, Accident, and Critical Illness Insurances
  • Optional Identity Theft and Legal Protection Services
Company Environment & Perks
  • Employee Referral Bonus Eligibility up to $10,000 
  • Mobility Among Wyetech-supported Contracts 
  • Various contract and work locations throughout Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, Texas, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii and OCONUS
  • Various team-building events throughout the year such as: monthly lunches, summer company picnic, and an annual holiday party. 
  • Employees receive two complementary branded clothing orders annually.
$55.72 - $137.86 an hour
Pay Range: $55.72 - $137.86 per hour*
Hourly pay rates listed for this position serve as a general guideline and are not a guarantee of compensation. Compensation will vary dependent upon factors including but not limited to: Government contract rates; education; relevant prior work experience, knowledge, skills, and competencies; certifications, and geographic location. *Hourly pay rates reflect the pre-benefit gross wage amounts.
Wyetech, LLC 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, disability, or status as a protected veteran. 
 
Affirmative Action Statement:
Wyetech, LLC is committed to the principles of affirmative action in all hiring and employment for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans.
 
Accommodations:
Wyetech, LLC is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process. If you need any accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact Brittney Wood. at 844-WYETECH x727 or [email protected]. We are happy to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to all candidates. 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
apply for this job