How to hire an enterprise systems engineer

How to hire an enterprise systems engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step enterprise 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 enterprise systems engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new enterprise systems engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an enterprise systems engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the enterprise systems engineer you need to hire. Certain enterprise systems engineer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   An enterprise systems engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, enterprise systems engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

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

   Type of Enterprise Systems Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Enterprise 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.	$43-73
   Network/Server Administrator	A Network Administrator ensures an organizations' network is operational and up to date. They solve problems that arise within computer networks, maintaining computer networks, interacting with clients, and consulting with them to determine their system requirements... Show more	$27-51
   Systems Administrator Lead	A systems administrator lead is responsible for planning, designing, and implementing procedures for critical enterprise systems. Typical duties of systems administrators include managing the day-to-day operations of a company's computer and network systems, developing new application and system implementation plans, and establishing guidelines for installing and managing the organization's computer operating systems... Show more	$37-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Infrastructure
   • Architecture
   • Linux
   • DOD
   • VMware
   • Configuration Management
   • DNS
   • Technical Support
   • PowerShell
   • DHCP
   • Enterprise Architecture
   • System Administration
   • SolarWinds
   • Virtualization

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Design, implement and manage Citrix MetaFrame XPe and PS4 farms for thin client access.
   • Lead initiatives to push authentication technologies to Solaris and Linux hosts, SAN fabric devices, storage arrays and multiple applications.
   • Recruit to establish and manage Virtualization\Storage\Backup environments.
   • Maintain DNS and DHCP server.
   • Administer the college SharePoint and Intranet.
   • Standardize SCCM and create documentation for procedures and best practices.

   More enterprise systems engineer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, enterprise systems engineers' average salary in indiana is 36% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level enterprise systems engineers 40% less than senior-level enterprise systems engineers.
   • Certifications. An enterprise 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 enterprise systems engineer's salary.

   Average enterprise systems engineer salary

   $117,718yearly

   $56.60 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level enterprise systems engineer salary

   $91,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average enterprise systems engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$145,279	$70
   2	California	$144,064	$69
   3	New York	$132,755	$64
   4	Connecticut	$132,637	$64
   5	West Virginia	$127,275	$61
   6	Alabama	$125,459	$60
   7	Nevada	$125,116	$60
   8	Illinois	$121,678	$59
   9	Massachusetts	$116,492	$56
   10	Texas	$116,250	$56
   11	Arizona	$114,873	$55
   12	New Hampshire	$114,588	$55
   13	Delaware	$114,452	$55
   14	South Carolina	$109,209	$53
   15	Wisconsin	$108,981	$52
   16	Maryland	$106,781	$51
   17	Virginia	$106,301	$51
   18	Michigan	$105,759	$51
   19	Louisiana	$104,737	$50
   20	Mississippi	$104,005	$50

   Average enterprise systems engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$167,921	$80.73	724
   2	Palo Alto Networks	$147,257	$70.80	43
   3	Safeway	$141,749	$68.15
   4	Fortinet	$139,388	$67.01	17
   5	Amazon	$137,352	$66.03	449
   6	Micron Technology	$134,607	$64.71	7
   7	Ford Motor	$134,423	$64.63	194
   8	Corning Incorporated	$132,031	$63.48	19
   9	Groupon	$131,144	$63.05	3
   10	American Power Conversion	$130,997	$62.98
   11	Valero Energy	$130,612	$62.79	2
   12	Zoom Video Communications	$130,082	$62.54
   13	Compass SLS and ILS	$125,667	$60.42	2
   14	Open Systems Technologies	$125,311	$60.25	5
   15	Novus	$125,185	$60.19
   16	Airline Tariff	$122,574	$58.93
   17	Psg	$121,452	$58.39	26
   18	Alaska Airlines	$119,900	$57.64	1
   19	Randstad North America, Inc.	$119,035	$57.23	21
   20	Meijer	$118,317	$56.88	4

4. Writing an enterprise systems engineer job description

   An enterprise systems engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an enterprise systems engineer job description:

   Enterprise systems engineer job description example

   Are you interested in joining SAIC to be part of the partnership providing high quality engineering advisory services, system planning, integration, and architecture to our government intelligence agency customer? Then consider joining the members of the Enterprise Systems Engineering and Architecture team as they aid our customer in collaborating, integrating, and standardizing the engineering approach across the customers enterprise.
   
   We have an on going need for individuals to support our customer's Enterprise Architecture development activities at their Columbia Maryland facility, Fort George G. Meade Maryland complex and other surrounding area facilities. The selected systems engineer will support the development, integration and analysis of the customer's Enterprise Architecture (EA), focusing on capability-based analysis at the system of system, end to end, and family of systems levels. The individual will:
   
   + Develop and maintain DODAF, FEAF and IC EA compliant architecture artifacts, utilizing architecture modeling tools to ensure integrated architecture;
   
   + Perform assessments of acquisition architectures for compliance and consistency with Agency-level EA in support of Enterprise Engineering Review Board and Enterprise Architecture Board governance processes;
   
   + Collaborate with operational / technical SMEs and Standards personnel to identify architecture gaps, overlaps and inefficiencies, and develop recommendations for changes to improve enterprise architecture; and
   
   + Collaborate with Enterprise Knowledge Repositories personnel to identify tools / technologies, data models, data analytics, and reporting / visualization approaches to assist Government leaders and technologists with architectural data-driven decision-making.
   **Qualifications**
   
   **REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:**
   
   + Most positions require a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline and at least 20 years of systems engineering experience. A Master's or PhD Degree may be substituted for two years of experience. Note: A High School Diploma or GED plus 24 years of systems engineering experience would also be acceptable.
   
   + Some positions require a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline and at least 15 years of systems engineering experience. A Master's or PhD Degree may be substituted for two years of experience. Note: A High School Diploma or GED plus 19 years of systems engineering experience would also be acceptable.
   
   + Individuals in this position must have at least five years of demonstrated experience in DoD Architectural Framework (DODAF) or Federal Enterprise Architectural Framework (FEAF).
   
   + Knowledge of modeling approaches such as Unified Modeling Language (UML), Business Process Modeling, Data Modeling
   
   + Understanding of data architecture approaches such as DODAF, Zachman, UAF, TOGAF, JARM, etc., as well as industry standards and best practices (e.g., DMBOK).
   
   + This is a full time position requiring 1880 hours of support per year.
   
   + Position requires TS/SCI clearance with polygraph
   
   **DESIRED EXPERIENCE:**
   
   + Familiarity with Intelligence Community and/or DoD acquisition lifecycles, software development methodologies, information security engineering concepts, cloud computing methodologies and/or SOA-enabling technologies.
   
   + Familiarity with Cameo, System Architect, Magic Draw, Sparx, Rhapsody, or Power Designer Architecture Tool Suites.
   
   Covid Policy: SAIC does not require COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters. Customer site vaccination requirements must be followed when work is performed at a customer site.
   REQNUMBER: 2115443
   
   SAIC is a premier technology integrator, solving our nation's most complex modernization and systems engineering challenges across the defense, space, federal civilian, and intelligence markets. Our robust portfolio of offerings includes high-end solutions in systems engineering and integration; enterprise IT, including cloud services; cyber; software; advanced analytics and simulation; and training. We are a team of 23,000 strong driven by mission, united purpose, and inspired by opportunity. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see Working at SAIC. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right enterprise 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 enterprise systems engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit enterprise 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

   Your first interview with enterprise systems engineer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview enterprise systems engineer candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • 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 enterprise systems engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the enterprise 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new enterprise 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 enterprise systems engineer?