Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Systems Engineer jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense contracting, federal IT, aerospace, and cybersecurity across a wide range from entry-level to principal engineer. Northern Virginia, the Hampton Roads region, and the Richmond area account for the majority of openings, anchored by major employers such as Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Booz Allen Hamilton. The most in-demand specialties right now are systems integration, cybersecurity engineering, and model-based systems engineering for defense and intelligence programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Systems Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 1,040+ Systems Engineer jobs









MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented Senior Systems Engineer to join our team in Chantilly, VA. This is an onsite position.
The Systems Engineer will leverage their strong technical background and knowledge to support the operational piece of a mission-critical enterprise IT environment. In this role, you will help administer, maintain, and troubleshoot core services, ensuring system availability, integrity, and robust configuration management.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Provide Tier II IT Systems support on a wide range of technologies, including: SQL, SharePoint, Microsoft Exchange, Certificate Services, DHCP, DNS, Active Directory, Group Policies, Microsoft Windows Operating Systems, and Linux (Red Hat)
- Provide System support on enterprise backup and recovery solutions to ensure data integrity and system availability
- Provide System support for enterprise patching and vulnerability management for Linux and Windows systems
- Executing structured configuration and change management processes to ensure system integrity and documentation accuracy
- Diagnosing and resolving the performance, security, and/or technical challenges related to the platforms listed above
- Creating, maintaining, and communicating technical documentation for system configurations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Investigating and resolving operational problems in conjunction with other engineering and technical personnel
- Using best practices from ITIL Service Management, Configuration and Change Management processes, and enterprise service delivery to consistently deliver high-quality work products
- Willingness to occasionally work after normal work hours (nights and weekends) to support system maintenance or service outages
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of experience in Information Systems or a related field. Associates degree with 7+ years or High School Diploma/GED with 10+ years of progressively responsible experience may be substituted for a degree
- Demonstrated hands-on experience administering and troubleshooting core IT services, including Active Directory, DNS, and SQL
- Experience managing enterprise data backups and supporting user interfacing services like printing and scanning
- Must hold IAT Level II certification, ex., Security+, SecurityX, CISSP
Preferred Qualifications:
- Solid understanding of configuration management, system patching, and structured change management practices in enterprise environments
- Experience with Microsoft Exchange and Sharepoint
- Experience with network documentation, such as security compliance, configuration management, patching, software management, and hardware management
- Experience administering and supporting infrastructure within secure government or classified IT environments
- Relevant industry certifications, ex., Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate, or equivalent
- Self-starter with excellent people skills - able to work across teams and effectively communicate technical concepts
- Knowledge or experience with DevSecOps tools, process, and concepts
- Knowledge or experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and Configuration as Code (CaC) are modern DevOps practices that manage and automate IT systems
Clearance Requirements:
- Must have a current and active Top Secret with SCI eligibility with willingness to obtain a polygraph
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50%
- Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Frequently communicates with co-workers, management, and customers, which may involve delivering presentations. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
See All 1,040+ Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Systems Engineer JobsSystems Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Systems Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- SAIC59

- Northrop Grumman37

- Trinzic35
- Peraton34

- Booz Allen Hamilton34

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Technology & Software
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace & Defense
- Education
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in systems engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance or eligibility to obtain one
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience with model-based systems engineering tools such as CAMEO or MagicDraw
- Familiarity with DoD acquisition frameworks and systems engineering lifecycle processes
- Proficiency with requirements management tools such as DOORS or Jama Connect
- Strong written communication skills for technical documentation and stakeholder reporting
Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a systems engineer in Virginia?
Systems engineering in Virginia does not require a state-issued license, but most employers require at minimum a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related technical field. Candidates pursuing defense or federal work must be eligible for a security clearance, which is often initiated through the employer. Professional Engineer licensure through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation strengthens senior-level applications, and certifications such as the INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional are recognized by Virginia's major contractors.
Which companies hire systems engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring systems engineers in Virginia right now include SAIC, Northrop Grumman, and Trinzic, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of defense contractors, federal agencies, and intelligence community primes means demand for systems engineers remains consistent throughout the year across both large and mid-tier firms.
Which Virginia cities have the most systems engineer jobs?
Chantilly, Herndon, and Arlington account for the most systems engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia leads because of its proximity to the Pentagon, the intelligence community in Chantilly and McLean, and a dense cluster of defense and federal IT contractors, while Hampton Roads draws significant volume from Naval Station Norfolk and the shipbuilding and defense programs concentrated along that corridor.
Are there remote systems engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical or software-focused roles, since systems engineering often involves hardware integration, lab work, or on-site collaboration with government customers. About 27% of systems engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements more prevalent than fully remote. Requirements definition, documentation, and architecture work are the functions most frequently offered in a remote-capable format.
How can I get hired as a systems engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a systems engineering associate or junior systems engineer role at one of Virginia's large defense primes, which routinely hire recent graduates into rotational or program-support positions. Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Booz Allen Hamilton all run early-career development programs out of their Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads offices. Lateral entry from adjacent roles such as test engineer, configuration manager, or technical writer is common, and completing an INCOSE-affiliated training course or contributing to a capstone project with a DoD component strengthens a new candidate's application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to systems engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to systems engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, Richmond, and other hiring areas. Find roles that fit your experience and clearance level and apply directly from the listing.
See All 1,040+ Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Systems Engineer Jobs