Systems Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA
Systems Engineer jobs in San Diego are concentrated in Kearny Mesa, Sorrento Valley, and the Miramar corridor, with strong demand across defense, aerospace, and telecommunications. Employers hiring right now include Northrop Grumman, Qualcomm, and Booz Allen Hamilton. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Systems Integration Department is charged with identifying, developing, and applying new technologies that can address the Government's most challenging Systems Engineering problems. This is an opportunity for experienced engineers who are highly motivated, innovative, and proactive. This position provides challenging opportunities to apply and expand one’s architecture modeling and system integration skillsets. Areas of interest include Model Based Engineering (MBSE, MDA, MDD, MDE), Systems of Systems, architecture modeling, analysis of complex systems, and decision support.
Roles & Responsibilities:
The Systems Integration Department is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to support government sponsors in architecting, analyzing, integrating and advancing complex mission and enterprise systems across evolving national security environments. The selected candidate will lead the application of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Systems Integration, Executable MBSE, Architecture Analysis, and Digital Engineering methods to develop, evaluate, and evolve system architectures that enable informed engineering, acquisition, and investment decisions. Working collaboratively across technical, operational, acquisition, and programmatic stakeholders, the candidate will translate mission needs into integrated architectural solutions, engineering analyses, digital engineering artifacts, and actionable recommendations that improve mission outcomes and enable digital transformation through an authoritative digital thread.
- Model architectures of complex systems using standards-based frameworks and languages (e.g. UAF, SysML, UML).
- Develop executable systems engineering models that verify and validate end-user needs.
- Design and develop prototypes, dashboards and/or plugins using Java, Python, and related programming languages.
- System Integration activities that may include application of industry standards such as MOSA standards (e.g. OMS, UCI, FACE, etc.) and setting up executable models to verify and validate interfaces.
- Assist in evaluating architectures using qualitative and quantitative techniques.
- Advise government sponsors and program managers on architecture strategies, digital engineering transformation, technology insertion opportunities, system modernization approaches, technical roadmaps, and engineering decisions that improve mission outcomes and reduce program risk.
- Serve as a technical leader and mentor by providing guidance, feedback, and knowledge sharing to junior engineers while helping shape technical approaches, department capabilities, and sponsor solutions across multiple projects.
Basic Qualifications:
- Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of systems engineering or aerospace engineering experience with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM related field; or 6 years and a master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
- Experience with systems engineering methodologies; familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles.
- Familiarity with modeling frameworks and languages such as UAF, SysML, and UML.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and manage system requirements, and to produce logical and functional system designs (system structure, behaviors, and data flows).
- Experience with MATLAB, Python, or other modeling and data analysis software tools
- Interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) concepts and tools
- Strong communication skills with demonstrated experience briefing senior government or senior customer stakeholders on status, critical decisions, and technical recommendations
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
- This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s or PhD degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
- Hands-on experience with MBSE tools and environments; CATIA Magic / Cameo experience preferred
- Experience in data architecture for complex systems
- Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools and processes
- Knowledge of systems architecture and systems design and development. Understanding of modern Systems Engineering methods.
- Experience with multi-disciplinary modeling and simulation (physics-level, engineering-level and/or operational-level).
- Proficiency in one or more of the programming languages for quantitative analyses (ex. MATLAB, R, Python, etc).
- Interest and/or experience designing Autonomous Systems
- Experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) concepts and tools
- Active Top Secret Clearance
This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
NoneThis requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
SecretSalary compensation range and midpoint:
$146,400 - $183,000 - $219,600 AnnualWork Location Type:
Hybrid
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Commitment to Non-Discrimination
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Find Systems Engineer JobsSystems Engineer Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman186

- Qualcomm43

- Booz Allen Hamilton43

- Apple25

- Shield AI25

Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware19
- Medical Devices12
- Technology & Software12
- Manufacturing6
Systems Engineer Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a systems engineer job in San Diego?
San Diego's systems engineer market is dominated by defense contractors, aerospace firms, and telecom companies clustered in Kearny Mesa, Sorrento Valley, and Miramar. Candidates with experience in systems integration, requirements analysis, or MBSE methodology stand out here. Holding an active security clearance is a significant advantage, since a large share of local openings require one. Targeting defense primes and their subcontractors gives you the broadest pool of opportunities in the city.
Which companies hire systems engineers in San Diego?
San Diego systems engineer roles are posted by Northrop Grumman, Qualcomm, and Booz Allen Hamilton and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. The local market is anchored by defense contractors and aerospace manufacturers, with a growing number of openings at cybersecurity and wireless technology firms tied to San Diego's established tech corridor.
Are there remote systems engineer jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the role type. Systems engineers working on physical hardware, lab environments, or classified defense programs are almost always required on-site, while those in systems architecture, requirements management, or software-defined systems may have more flexibility. About 44% of systems engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. Hybrid arrangements are most common among commercial tech and telecom employers in the Sorrento Valley area.
How can I get a systems engineer job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is through defense contractor internship pipelines or junior systems analyst roles that transition into systems engineering. Companies in Kearny Mesa and Miramar regularly hire new graduates from San Diego State University and UC San Diego into entry-level systems or integration roles. Pursuing a DoD Secret clearance early, even before your first role, makes you a stronger candidate at the contractors and subcontractors that dominate local hiring.
Which industries hire the most systems engineers in San Diego?
San Diego systems engineer roles concentrate in Electronics & Hardware, Medical Devices, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's status as a major Navy and Marine Corps hub, combined with its dense cluster of defense primes and wireless technology companies, keeps demand in those sectors consistently high.
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