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.
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Req ID: 48933
Team: O07 PROC ENT ASSMT
Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding
US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes
Full-Time
Shift: 1st
Relocation: No relocation assistance available
Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No - Not eligible for telework
Travel Requirements: No
Clearance Required: No - Clearance Not Required to Start
Salary Range: $124,000.00 to $153,000.00
The anticipated salary range represents the estimated base pay for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors, and may vary from the posted range
Meet HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding
With more than 25,000 employees – including third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation shipbuilders – HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. We’re the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges from skilled trades to project managers, engineers and software developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. We collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world. Want to be part of the team? Apply today! We look forward to meeting you.
The Role
Performs technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems. Analyses are performed at all levels of total system product to include: concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal. Ensures the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Performs functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
Must Have
Bachelor's Degree and 9 years of relevant exempt experience;
Master’s Degree and 7 years of relevant professional experience;
Ph.D. and 4 years of experience.
Newport News Shipbuilding requires a Bachelor's Degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program.
Nice to Have
- Lean tools and DMAIC for structured problem-solving
- Kaizen efforts/blitzes to identify and implement real-time improvements
- RCA performance
- Lessons Learned capture
- Strategic and Tactical analytical abilities
- Thrive in a work environment with high expectations, diverse assignments and collaborative/ team settings across all levels
- Working with craftsmen and deckplate leadership teams
- Collaboration with value stream teams and leadership
- Ability to research and understand process opportunities to enable the trades to execute more effectively and efficiently
- Ability to assess proposed solutions and how they marry to production trade core competencies
- Facilitation skills/ ability to lead meetings and develop plans of action
- Effective communicator (Sound technical written and verbal skills)
Why HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. HII’s diverse workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Working at HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a future. We offer comprehensive benefits including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plan choices, on-site health centers, tele-medicine, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, savings plan options (401K), financial education and planning tools, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships, and more. Some benefits may vary depending on your specific division or work location.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.
Req ID: 48933
Team: O07 PROC ENT ASSMT
Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding
US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes
Full-Time
Shift: 1st
Relocation: No relocation assistance available
Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No - Not eligible for telework
Travel Requirements: No
Clearance Required: No - Clearance Not Required to Start
Salary Range: $124,000.00 to $153,000.00
The anticipated salary range represents the estimated base pay for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors, and may vary from the posted range
Meet HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding
With more than 25,000 employees – including third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation shipbuilders – HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. We’re the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges from skilled trades to project managers, engineers and software developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. We collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world. Want to be part of the team? Apply today! We look forward to meeting you.
The Role
Performs technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems. Analyses are performed at all levels of total system product to include: concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal. Ensures the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Performs functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
Must Have
Bachelor's Degree and 9 years of relevant exempt experience;
Master’s Degree and 7 years of relevant professional experience;
Ph.D. and 4 years of experience.
Newport News Shipbuilding requires a Bachelor's Degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program.
Nice to Have
- Lean tools and DMAIC for structured problem-solving
- Kaizen efforts/blitzes to identify and implement real-time improvements
- RCA performance
- Lessons Learned capture
- Strategic and Tactical analytical abilities
- Thrive in a work environment with high expectations, diverse assignments and collaborative/ team settings across all levels
- Working with craftsmen and deckplate leadership teams
- Collaboration with value stream teams and leadership
- Ability to research and understand process opportunities to enable the trades to execute more effectively and efficiently
- Ability to assess proposed solutions and how they marry to production trade core competencies
- Facilitation skills/ ability to lead meetings and develop plans of action
- Effective communicator (Sound technical written and verbal skills)
Why HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. HII’s diverse workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Working at HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a future. We offer comprehensive benefits including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plan choices, on-site health centers, tele-medicine, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, savings plan options (401K), financial education and planning tools, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships, and more. Some benefits may vary depending on your specific division or work location.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.
See All 347+ 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
- SAIC21
- General Dynamics Information Technology19
- Northrop Grumman16
- Leidos9
- CACI International9
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Manufacturing
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, General Dynamics Information Technology, and Northrop Grumman, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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, Arlington, and Reston 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 37% of systems engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 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 347+ Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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