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Systems Engineering Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Systems Engineering, SME

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$146K - $234K/yr

Peraton is seeking a System Engineering SME to support our mission to defend and protect our national security. Using a holistic approach, designs, develops, evaluates, and modifies end-to-end ...

Systems Engineering, SME

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$146K - $234K/yr

Peraton is seeking a System Engineering SME to support our mission to defend and protect our national security. Using a holistic approach, designs, develops, evaluates, and modifies end-to-end ...

Systems Engineering, SME

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$146K - $234K/yr

Peraton is seeking a System Engineering SME to support our mission to defend and protect our national security. โ€ข Using a holistic approach, designs, develops, evaluates, and modifies end-to-end ...

Senior Manager, Systems Engineering

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$135K - $216K/yr

Responsibilities The Senior Manager, Systems Engineering provides leadership to a team of engineers and professional staff in developing, modifying, creating, and testing solutions to our client ...

Responsibilities The Senior Manager, Systems Engineering provides leadership to a team of engineers and professional staff in developing, modifying, creating, and testing solutions to our client ...

Senior Manager, Systems Engineering

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$135K - $216K/yr

Responsibilities The Senior Manager, Systems Engineering provides leadership to a team of engineers and professional staff in developing, modifying, creating, and testing solutions to our client ...

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Systems Engineering information

See Reston, VA salary details

$62.9K

$147.8K

$203.9K

How much do systems engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for systems engineering in Reston, VA is $147,803.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,600.00 and $180,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Systems Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project lifecycle?

Systems Engineers play a pivotal role in bridging various departments such as software, hardware, and project management throughout the project lifecycle. They facilitate communication by translating technical requirements between teams, ensuring that all components integrate seamlessly. Regular meetings, documentation reviews, and design sessions are common, and Systems Engineers often serve as mediators to resolve technical conflicts or dependencies. This collaborative environment helps deliver robust and scalable solutions that meet both business and technical goals.

What is systems engineering?

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on designing, integrating, and managing complex systems throughout their life cycles. It involves coordinating various engineering disciplines and specialties to ensure that all parts of a project work together efficiently to meet customer needs. Systems engineers use principles from engineering, management, and mathematics to address both the technical and organizational aspects of a project, from initial concept through development, deployment, and maintenance.

What is the difference between Systems Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectSystems EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Systems Engineering, Electrical, or related fields; often certifications like INCOSEBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; often PE licensure
Work EnvironmentProject teams, systems integration, interdisciplinary collaborationDesign labs, manufacturing, product development
Industry UsageTechnology, aerospace, defense, ITAutomotive, manufacturing, robotics
Common Search/ComparisonYesNo

Systems Engineering focuses on designing and managing complex systems across various disciplines, emphasizing integration and lifecycle management. Mechanical Engineering centers on designing and manufacturing mechanical devices and systems. While both roles require engineering degrees, their focus areas, work environments, and industry applications differ significantly.

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

To thrive as a Systems Engineer, you need a solid background in systems architecture, integration, and problem-solving, often supported by a degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like MATLAB, SysML, and requirements management software, as well as certifications such as INCOSE CSEP, are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and teamwork are essential soft skills to excel in multidisciplinary environments. These competencies ensure the efficient design, implementation, and maintenance of complex systems that meet organizational goals.
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Systems Engineering jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Systems Engineering job openings:
Manager of Systems Engineering

Manager of Systems Engineering

Thales Defense & Security, Inc.

Germantown, MD โ€ข Hybrid

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) Headquartered in Clarksburg, MD, is a U.S. company that has been serving domestic and international defense Air, Land and Sea domains for 60+ years. With over 1,000 employees, TDSI and its four subsidiaries (Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Digital Receiver Technology, Tampa Microwave, and Trusted Cyber Technologies), supports U.S. Joint Services, special operations forces and multi-national partners with a variety of communication, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar capabilities. TDSI's key technologies include tactical handheld radios, expeditionary satellite terminals, helmet-mounted displays, optics and target recognition capability, advanced radars, undersea sensing and missile systems. Lives depend on what we do!

ย 

Top Benefits (Subject to terms of applicable policies/plans)

  • Competitive Salary
  • Yearly Incentive Compensation Plan
  • Medical insurance for self and eligible family members
  • Generous 401(k) program- up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave
  • Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave
  • 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
  • Hybrid working environment

We are seeking to fill aย Systems Engineering Managerย position located in ourย Germantown, MDย Campus focused on ourย DRT (Digital Receiver Technologies)ย line ofย Electronic Warfare/ SIGINT software-defined radio technologies.ย  This role is responsible for providing technical and organizational leadership and is well suited for a motivated and experienced engineering manager or design/ systems engineer with technical leadership experience.ย  The ideal candidate possesses a strong technical understanding and systems design of hardware and software for SIGINT/EW equipment coupled with a strong understanding and experience in the organizational development of people and processes.ย  ย ย 

Responsibilities

  • Provides technical and managerial leadership for the DRT Systems Engineering department.
  • Proactively interfaces with engineering project leads, program management leads and engineering management in resolving issues, coordinating department staffing resources, equipment and facilities and managing department activities.
  • Works with department staff to develop and achieve strategic business plan objectives.ย 
  • Provide subject matter expertise of DRT systems and products.
  • Provide subject matter expertise of hardware and software systems (both integrated and modular designs) of high complexity and high-density which utilize RF transceivers, filters, microprocessors, DSPs, memory systems, FPGAs, user interfaces, antennas and high efficiency low noise power supplies capable of supporting advanced algorithms used in state-of-the-art SIGINT and EW products.
  • Support product development teams with use case analysis, requirements capture and allocation, trade studies, architectural design, development and analysis, system implementation, unit level testing, automated testing, integration, verification and validation efforts and transition to manufacturing.
  • Support Business Development with technical support for business capture, including customer meetings, RFI responses and white paper generation, requirements elicitation and proposal support.
  • Develop technical proposals and support cost estimations.
  • Evaluate competing products and solution offerings.
  • Represent Thales/DRT at relevant industry forums.
  • Develops, maintains and enforces Thales/DRT development processes and tools.
  • Support design reviews and other technical interchanges.
  • Support integration, installation, testing, evaluation, and troubleshooting of equipment during development phase and customer lab and field trials.
  • Support government certification testing of equipment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's operating policies and applicable laws. ย Responsibilities can include interviewing, hiring, training and developing employees; creating effective staff plans - assigning and directing work in a matrix organization; performance appraisals, rewarding and management of employee discipline when required; and addressing complaints and resolving conflicts. Active mentoring and development of staff is a critical element of the supervisory responsibilities to create a highly performing cohesive team.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.ย 

  • U.S. Citizenship required. - Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
  • BSCE, BSCS, BSEE, BSME, BSSE or equivalent.ย 
  • 8+ years as a Design/ Systems Engineer, coupled with technical leadership experience.
  • Must have strong presentation and writing skills. Fluent in English.
  • Experience with system level design, development, and testing of tactical, secure, state-of-the-art military SIGINT/EW or communications systems.
  • Experience with requirements elicitation, decomposition, traceability, and lifecycle management.
  • Experience with vehicular/transportable rack mount modular systems or man portable/handheld integrated tactical communications or SIGINT/EW systems design.
  • Knowledge of RF design, Digital design, Software design, and Information Security.
  • Experience working in a laboratory environment with RF and Digital test equipment.
  • Ability to comply with all Company guidelines, policies, procedures and embrace Company Core Values.ย  ย 

The annualized pay range for this role is $156,600- $200,100 USD along with a target incentive compensation plan (ICP) of 10%. The pay range provided is a good faith estimate representative of the experience level for the role described above. ย TDSI considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

For specific questions about this job posting, candidates may contact talent acquisition at careers@thalesdsi.com.

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. is committed to non-discrimination as applicable under federal, state and local laws. We are an E-Verify Employer.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales Defense & Security, Inc., please call Human Resources at 202-961-1016.

#LI-JD1 #LI-Hybridย