Systems Security Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Systems Security Engineer jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense contracting, federal agencies, and intelligence community support, with demand running from entry-level analysts through senior architects. Northern Virginia anchors the market, with Richmond and Hampton Roads adding significant volume, and major employers including Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and Northrop Grumman maintaining deep, sustained hiring across the state. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia are zero-trust architecture, cloud security engineering, and network vulnerability assessment. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles139+
Top employerAmazon
Top cityArlington, VA
Cities hiring31
Work type51% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 139+ Systems Security Engineer jobs

Physical Security Systems Programmer
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Added 2d ago
Physical Security Systems Programmer
Kastle Systems
Falls Church, Virginia
Engineering (Non-Software)
Maintenance & Repair
Manufacturing Operations
Skilled Trades
High school diploma or GED
501-1,000

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Commercial Security Systems Account Executive
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Added 2d ago
Commercial Security Systems Account Executive
Johnson Controls
Richmond, Virginia
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Success
$55k - $80k/yr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) Linux/RHEL
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Added 3d ago
Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) Linux/RHEL
CACI International
Sterling, Virginia
Cybersecurity
IT Support
Network Engineering
$87k - $182k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Lenel Technician (Level I) – Electronic Security Systems
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Added 4d ago
Lenel Technician (Level I) – Electronic Security Systems
Peraton
Norfolk, Virginia
Logistics & Inventory
Maintenance & Repair
Skilled Trades
$51k - $82k/yr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Lenel Subject Matter Expert (Level III) – Electronic Security Systems
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Added 4d ago
Lenel Subject Matter Expert (Level III) – Electronic Security Systems
Peraton
Norfolk, Virginia
Logistics & Inventory
Maintenance & Repair
Skilled Trades
$104k - $166k/yr
On-Site
Master's degree
10,000+

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See All 139+ Systems Security Engineer Jobs in Virginia

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

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Systems Security Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Arlington
18 jobs
Herndon
14 jobs
Springfield
14 jobs
Chantilly
13 jobs
Sterling
10 jobs
McLean
9 jobs
Reston
9 jobs
Norfolk
5 jobs
Quantico
5 jobs

Systems Security Engineer Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Amazon7 open roles
Peraton6 open roles
OBXtek5 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Electronics & Hardware
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Retail
  • Education

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in systems security engineer jobs across Virginia.

  • Active Department of Defense security clearance, often Secret or Top Secret/SCI level
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, information systems, or closely related field
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or CompTIA Security+ certification required
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience with SIEM platforms, intrusion detection, and endpoint protection tools
  • Familiarity with NIST Risk Management Framework and federal compliance standards such as FedRAMP
  • Experience with cloud security controls in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud government environments

Systems Security Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a systems security engineer in Virginia?

The most direct path in Virginia is a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or computer science combined with an entry-level security certification such as CompTIA Security+. Virginia has no state-issued license for this role, but most employers, particularly defense contractors in Northern Virginia, require or strongly prefer a federal security clearance obtained through a sponsoring employer. Building clearance eligibility early and gaining experience with federal compliance frameworks are the practical priorities.

How much do systems security engineers make in Virginia?

Systems security engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $139,030 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,130 for the lowest 10% to over $185,950 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire systems security engineers in Virginia?

Employers hiring systems security engineers in Virginia right now include Amazon, Peraton, and OBXtek, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's concentration of defense contractors and federal agency support organizations means sustained, year-round demand rather than cyclical hiring spikes.

Which Virginia cities have the most systems security engineer jobs?

Arlington, Herndon, and Springfield have the most systems security engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia drives the bulk of demand because of its proximity to the Pentagon, NSA, and major defense contractor campuses, while Richmond and Hampton Roads draw hiring from state government IT agencies and Navy and Air Force installations respectively.

Are there remote systems security engineer jobs in Virginia?

Yes, and more than most technical roles, though clearance requirements limit full remote eligibility for many positions. About 49% of systems security engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broad demand for desk-based analytical and architecture work. Roles focused on cloud security, policy, and vulnerability assessment tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions requiring access to classified systems or sensitive facilities remain on-site.

How can I get hired as a systems security engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a junior cybersecurity analyst or IT security operations role at a mid-size Virginia defense contractor, which often feeds directly into systems security engineer tracks. Large Virginia employers like SAIC and Peraton run associate and early-career programs for candidates without prior security engineering experience. Holding an active CompTIA Security+ or gaining familiarity with NIST frameworks through coursework gives candidates a measurable edge over other applicants entering from adjacent IT roles such as network administrator or systems administrator.

Where can I find and apply to systems security engineer jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to systems security engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across defense contractors, federal agencies, and private sector employers. Find roles that fit your experience and clearance level and apply directly from the listing.

See All 139+ Systems Security Engineer Jobs in Virginia

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