How to hire an advanced systems engineer

How to hire an advanced systems engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step advanced systems engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an advanced systems engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new advanced systems engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an advanced systems engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The advanced systems engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect advanced systems engineer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of advanced systems engineers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Advanced Systems Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Advanced Systems Engineer	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$40-67
   Systems Analyst	A systems analyst is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of technology systems and analyzing its efficiency for business operations and clients' needs. Systems analysts create specific modifications to operating systems and help design solutions and processes... Show more	$27-46
   Lead System Analyst	A lead system analyst is someone who designs and analyzes existing systems used in a company. The person getting this position is tasked with reviewing all existing business processes, providing suggestions for improvements, and requesting upgrades... Show more	$39-65

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • DOD
   • C++
   • Management System
   • Project Management
   • Java
   • System Development
   • Software Development
   • Verification Testing
   • Development Life
   • Emerging Technologies
   • System Performance
   • SAS
   • Technical Leadership
   • Linux

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead a group of 5 Z/OS systems programmers who maintain 2 Z/OS main frames.
   • Install new Hitachi 7700E DASD and lead migration effort off of old IBM 3390 DASD.
   • Work in the computer center managing VMS cluster used by faculty, staff, and students.
   • Recruit to manage, expand, and optimize CICS regions across testing and production environments during rapid business growth.
   • Recruit to establish and manage Virtualization\Storage\Backup environments.
   • Require strong understanding of UNIX and LINUX operating systems.

   More advanced systems engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your advanced systems engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An advanced systems engineer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, advanced systems engineers' average salary in virginia is 31% less than in idaho.
   • Seniority. Entry-level advanced systems engineers 40% less than senior-level advanced systems engineers.
   • Certifications. An advanced systems engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an advanced systems engineer's salary.

   Average advanced systems engineer salary

   $109,257yearly

   $52.53 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level advanced systems engineer salary

   $84,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average advanced systems engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$134,633	$65
   2	Washington	$114,232	$55
   3	Arizona	$114,127	$55
   4	Alabama	$113,309	$54
   5	Texas	$107,263	$52
   6	Connecticut	$106,813	$51
   7	Massachusetts	$106,665	$51
   8	Florida	$103,325	$50
   9	Ohio	$102,480	$49
   10	Colorado	$99,994	$48
   11	Georgia	$99,035	$48
   12	Michigan	$95,680	$46
   13	Iowa	$94,323	$45
   14	North Carolina	$94,114	$45
   15	Arkansas	$91,433	$44
   16	Indiana	$86,774	$42

   Average advanced systems engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Warner Bros.	$126,016	$60.58	37
   2	Sandia National Labs	$121,940	$58.63	4
   3	Parsons	$119,581	$57.49	70
   4	Kforce	$116,036	$55.79	58
   5	Bosch USA	$114,931	$55.26	26
   6	ManpowerGroup	$114,285	$54.94	61
   7	Axient	$111,123	$53.42
   8	Aetna	$109,230	$52.51
   9	SAIC	$105,302	$50.63	281
   10	WarnerMedia	$105,118	$50.54
   11	Honeywell	$104,980	$50.47	163
   12	Karma Automotive	$104,977	$50.47
   13	Jacobs Enterprises	$104,716	$50.34	113
   14	Aptiv	$104,701	$50.34	3
   15	PDS Tech	$104,683	$50.33	3
   16	*n/a*	$104,551	$50.26
   17	Valeo Financial Advisors	$104,038	$50.02
   18	Willbrook Solutions	$103,838	$49.92
   19	Moseley Technical Services	$103,708	$49.86
   20	JRC Integrated Systems	$102,421	$49.24	2

4. Writing an advanced systems engineer job description

   A good advanced systems engineer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an advanced systems engineer job description:

   Advanced systems engineer job description example

   Raytheon Intelligence & Space (RI&S) is seeking top candidates to redefine the possible in the radio-frequency (RF) domain.
   
   Come join the RI&S Advanced Concepts & Technology (ACT) team and help lead the way in the advanced RF technology domain by solving the most challenging problems facing our customers!
   
   We are seeking a highly skilled Systems Engineer II in Advanced Algorithms. This role will support a variety of programs that are defining, creating, and fielding the next-generation RF technologies and capabilities that are needed by our national defense force in order to meet and surpass the threats of today and beyond. Due to the wide variety of programs supported by our team, the exact skillset needed or emphasized depends on the specific program. However, in this role candidates will perform some subset of the following RF-domain-specific activities:
   
   Design, implement, and validate algorithms for RF digital signal processing, data fusion, target tracking, and automated resource management, using both simulated and real-time demonstration data
   
   Design and advance the state-of-the-art of next-generation, multi-function RF systems architectures and interfaces via systems engineering requirements development and trade studies
   
   Modeling and simulation of sensor phenomenology, both for RF sensors (e.g. radar, Air-to-Air capabilities, Air-to-Ground capabilities, Electronic Support Measures) and sensors outside the RF spectrum (e.g., EO/IR) Modeling and simulation of sensor network performance using tools produced internally or provided by external customers or groups
   
   Develop and extend automated analysis tools for reducing large data sets and producing analysis outputs, e.g., RF sensor I/Q data, sensor measurement data, tracker measurement data
   Design and apply AI/ML algorithms and techniques to problems in the RF domain Collaborate closely within a multi-disciplinary team of systems, software, and hardware engineers. Engineering/Other Technical Positions: Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics(STEM) and a minimum of 2 years of prior relevant experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations. Employee Referral Award Eligibility: Only employees currently within RMD and RI&S have the potential to receive a Referral Award for submitting a referral to RMD and RI&S roles. ALL eligibility requirements must be met to receive the Referral Awarding Raytheon Technologies is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right advanced systems engineer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your advanced systems engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit advanced systems engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting advanced systems engineers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with an advanced systems engineer applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new advanced systems engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the advanced systems engineer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new advanced systems engineer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an advanced systems engineer?