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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Overview

Open roles1,040+
Top employerSAIC
Top cityChantilly, VA
Cities hiring62
Work type73% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 1,040+ Systems Engineer jobs

Senior Systems Engineer
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New 1h ago
Senior Systems Engineer
MANTECH
Chantilly, Virginia
Cloud & DevOps
Cloud Engineering
Network Engineering
Systems Administration
On-Site
High school diploma or GED
5,001-10,000

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Mission Systems Engineer, Lead
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New 2h ago
Mission Systems Engineer, Lead
MITRE
McLean, Virginia
Backend Engineering
Data Science
Software Engineering
On-Site
Master's degree
5,001-10,000

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Principal Systems Engineer
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New 4h ago
Principal Systems Engineer
Trinzic
Chantilly, Virginia
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$191k - $239k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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AV Systems Engineer
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New 4h ago
AV Systems Engineer
Cornerstone Defense
Herndon, Virginia
Customer Support
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
Associate's degree
51-200

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Junior Systems Engineer
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New 5h ago
Junior Systems Engineer
Strategic ACI
Chantilly, Virginia
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
Bachelor's degree in systems engineering

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See All 1,040+ Systems Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Herndon
79 jobs
McLean
56 jobs
Reston
55 jobs
Springfield
55 jobs
Dahlgren
46 jobs
Sterling
45 jobs
Fort Belvoir
28 jobs

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.

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