Hire Systems Engineers

Time to shortlist is typically 2 weeks from scoping call. Total time to placement (shortlist through offer acceptance) is typically 3–5 weeks. Systems Engineers on cleared programs often carry longer notice periods and access-transfer timelines; we manage both as part of the search. If you have a PDR or CDR on the calendar, tell us on the call and we prioritize candidates who can start inside the window.

Most US hardware Systems Engineers with three to seven years on space or defense programs land between $115K and $155K base depending on metro and program. Lead and chief systems engineers who own a full baseline, chair interface boards and carry the customer relationship typically run $160K–$215K base plus bonus or equity at venture-backed space and defense-tech companies, with clearance premiums on top. These are market bands; we confirm live market bands for your program during scoping. See our systems engineer salary guide for a fuller breakdown.

No. This page is for hardware systems engineering — the discipline that owns requirements, architecture, interfaces and verification on a physical product such as a spacecraft, a launch vehicle, a drone or a weapon system. It is not IT systems administration, network engineering or enterprise infrastructure, and the two share nothing beyond the job title. If you need someone to run servers, networks or cloud environments, that is a different search and we will say so on the call.

A Systems Engineer writes the requirements and the V&V plan that say what must be proven. A Test and Evaluation Engineer plans and runs the developmental and operational test campaigns that prove it. An Integration and Test Engineer takes the article through integration, environmental test and acceptance. Small programs merge the first two in one seat until qualification; established programs run all three.

A Hardware Program Manager owns schedule, budget, staffing and customer delivery. A Systems Engineer owns the technical baseline — what the system must do, how it is decomposed, and how that is proven. On a program past PDR you need both; a program manager covering systems engineering is where interface drift starts.

No. INCOSE ASEP, CSEP and ESEP are useful signals we verify when claimed, and many government and prime contracts look for them, but reference-verified ownership of a requirements baseline through a design review cycle outweighs a certificate. Where your contract or customer requires CSEP or ESEP, tell us and we filter for it.

Yes. We screen for US-person status where the program requires it, document any active clearance held (Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI), and verify prior work under ITAR, CUI, DCMA and program-office oversight. We do not shortlist candidates who cannot meet the access requirements on your call.

Yes. Every Systems Engineer placement carries a replacement guarantee. Guarantee terms are confirmed in writing at engagement start. The guarantee applies across direct-hire, embedded and RPO engagements alike.

Yes. Multi-hire builds (chief systems engineer plus subsystem systems engineers, Test and Evaluation Engineers, Integration and Test Engineers and a Mission Assurance Manager) route through embedded recruiting or RPO. Chief engineers and VPs of engineering route through executive search. Single retained searches route through aerospace and defense engineering search.