How to hire a junior systems engineer

How to hire a junior systems engineer, step by step

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

What does a junior systems engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the junior systems engineer you need to hire. Certain junior 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

   A junior systems engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, junior 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.

   Here's a comparison of junior systems engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Junior Systems Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Junior 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.	$20-41
   Systems Support	A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables... Show more	$21-42
   Systems Operator	Systems operators often act as the front liners whose primary job is to ensure the reliable delivery of electricity service to consumers and businesses. They are responsible for overseeing and managing the power grid and controlling electricity flow through transmission lines... Show more	$13-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Python
   • Linux
   • DOD
   • Technical Support
   • Database
   • Java
   • Troubleshoot
   • VMware
   • Windows Server
   • OS
   • Configuration Management
   • Red Hat
   • SharePoint
   • DNS

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Install and manage all computer and network equipment including switches, routers, and firewall rules.
   • Maintain and manage the backup solution utilizing the Solaris servers in concert with the Exabyte and DLT systems.
   • Manage new ERP system procurement project through implementation.
   • Manage the storage infrastructure for virtualization, high availability systems and data consolidation.
   • Manage infrastructure provisioning and procurement process for upgrade and maintenance of manage infrastructure.
   • Coordinate FileNet and EMC system configuration changes, manage disk storage consumption, allocate/mask storage, and document system configurations/changes.

   More junior systems engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the junior systems engineer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A junior systems engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a junior systems engineer in Maryland may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level junior systems engineer. Additionally, a junior systems engineer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average junior systems engineer salary

   $61,565yearly

   $29.60 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level junior systems engineer salary

   $43,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average junior systems engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$84,379	$41
   2	Washington	$72,757	$35
   3	Massachusetts	$71,806	$35
   4	Alabama	$71,312	$34
   5	Michigan	$69,506	$33
   6	Pennsylvania	$69,338	$33
   7	New York	$69,268	$33
   8	Arizona	$67,635	$33
   9	Illinois	$67,570	$32
   10	Texas	$66,236	$32
   11	District of Columbia	$65,740	$32
   12	Delaware	$65,506	$31
   13	Connecticut	$63,017	$30
   14	Rhode Island	$60,993	$29
   15	Colorado	$60,434	$29
   16	New Mexico	$60,400	$29
   17	Virginia	$59,553	$29
   18	Hawaii	$58,621	$28
   19	Ohio	$58,284	$28
   20	Maryland	$55,201	$27

   Average junior systems engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Amd	$81,300	$39.09	32
   2	Fiserv	$74,542	$35.84	29
   3	Nisum	$74,027	$35.59
   4	CDNetworks	$67,116	$32.27
   5	Mediaocean	$67,072	$32.25
   6	High Touch Technologies	$66,790	$32.11
   7	MIQ Logistics	$65,584	$31.53
   8	ICI Services	$65,269	$31.38	4
   9	SimVentions	$63,390	$30.48	1
   10	Jet Propulsion Laboratory	$63,218	$30.39
   11	L3Harris	$63,074	$30.32	121
   12	Technology Service	$62,168	$29.89	5
   13	Raytheon Technologies	$62,140	$29.88	232
   14	LHP	$61,378	$29.51
   15	Federal Data Systems	$61,257	$29.45
   16	Cognosante	$60,870	$29.26
   17	Lockheed Martin	$60,862	$29.26	757
   18	Wolverine Services, LLC	$60,336	$29.01
   19	KIHOMAC	$59,973	$28.83	3
   20	CyberCoders	$59,945	$28.82

4. Writing a junior systems engineer job description

   A job description for a junior systems engineer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a junior systems engineer job description:

   Junior systems engineer job description example

   As a Junior Systems Engineer with Rewards Network, you will be responsible for the patching of server infrastructure, network hardware and configuration and will take part in the ongoing design, assessment, and maintenance of all our Information Technology infrastructure. This position will be required to work independently and with other teams to accomplish our company goals. Additionally, you will be accountable for patch testing, documentation, communication and compliance requirements. You will have the opportunity to learn higher level networking, security and cloud technologies with plenty of room for career advancement.
   
   What you'll do with us:Provide support and maintain operational health of system and networking architecture.Coordinate routine Windows patching deployments as well as scheduled Linux/Unix deployments.Implementation of hardware and software solutions both on premise and in the cloud.Management of user accounts and Active Directory.Installation of software and system/security patches.Assist in vulnerability testing, threat analyses, and security checks (Security Assessments).Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve any system issues resulting from patching, security standard implementation, HW and SW upgrades.Collaborate with internal and external customers and teams to resolve issues and help integrate with existing pipelines and workflows.Analyzes trend data to identify potential patch related issues on various images and assists teams in troubleshooting to implement any resolutions/improvements needed for proactive resolution.Communicates patch management process and procedures, working practices, and changes to internal teams and customers.Updates and maintains enterprise patch maintenance windows with the business.Performs root cause analysis on failed components and basic troubleshooting and remediation.Creates and maintains programmatic and technical documentation to ensure efficient planning and execution.
   
   A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Information Technology or related experience.Minimum of 1 year of networking or system admin experienceA fundamental understanding of a LINUX or UNIX-based operating system.Basic knowledge of networking concepts Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving skills Ability to work with cross-functional teams Accuracy and attention to detail Ability to communicate technical issues and translate into non-technical business reviews
   
   We connect diners to fantastic restaurant experiences by offering unique card-linked offers thanks to our ability to leverage advanced technology and powerful data analytics, while simultaneously providing value to our strategic partners' overall loyalty programs.
   
   We work alongside our restaurant partners every day, sharing in the ebbs and flows of their business while helping them achieve their dreams. We provide marketing and financing that work with their business and are truly pay-for-performance. We help them increase revenue, traffic, and customer engagement. Importantly, our services do not require the merchant to discount or give away their products.
   
   Even more, we enhance our partners' loyalty programs by offering a turn-key, scalable dining rewards program that is right for their business model and leverages their unique brand to help increase the value proposition for their customers.
   
   Finally, we connect our millions of members to our participating restaurants, allowing them to earn the rewards they desire when dining out.
   Rewards Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We encourage and strongly support workplace diversity.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right junior 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 junior systems engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit junior systems engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting junior 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   If your interviews with junior systems engineer applicants aren't enough to make a decision, you should also consider including a test project. These are often the best, most straightforward, and least bias-prone ways of determining who will likely succeed in the role. If you 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 junior systems engineer

   Once you've found the junior systems engineer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new junior systems engineer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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