How to hire a lead systems engineer

How to hire a lead systems engineer, step by step

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

What does a lead systems engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

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

   Hiring the perfect lead 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of lead systems engineers.

   Type of Lead Systems Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead 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.	$43-75
   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
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Systems Engineering
   • Architecture
   • Infrastructure
   • DOD
   • System Design
   • C++
   • Java
   • Software Development
   • Project Management
   • Linux
   • RF
   • System Integration
   • Technical Leadership
   • Database

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead multiple audits for manufacturing/management processes to meet ISO and CMMI requirements.
   • Create, share and manage LUN's using EqualLogic, EMC and StoreSimple.
   • Convert legacy batch scripts to PowerShell scripts, and automate them using FIM management agents.
   • Manage QA teams in local and distribute international locations.
   • Manage security, which includes monitoring and controlling database access, assigning permissions to application owners.
   • Accomplish responsibility to configure, administer and support new infrastructure solutions on Microsoft platforms to meet enterprise level requirements.

   More lead systems engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the lead systems engineer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A lead 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 lead systems engineer in Missouri may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level lead systems engineer. Additionally, a lead systems engineer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average lead systems engineer salary

   $119,705yearly

   $57.55 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead systems engineer salary

   $90,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

   Average lead systems engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$158,925	$76
   2	Washington	$145,523	$70
   3	Nevada	$126,587	$61
   4	Maryland	$115,752	$56
   5	Massachusetts	$115,230	$55
   6	Texas	$114,263	$55
   7	North Carolina	$113,998	$55
   8	New York	$113,850	$55
   9	Arizona	$113,414	$55
   10	New Jersey	$112,673	$54
   11	Florida	$111,197	$53
   12	Oklahoma	$111,160	$53
   13	Virginia	$110,951	$53
   14	Georgia	$110,508	$53
   15	Alabama	$109,188	$52
   16	Michigan	$106,268	$51
   17	Illinois	$104,373	$50
   18	Colorado	$103,537	$50
   19	Nebraska	$102,913	$49
   20	Minnesota	$102,760	$49

   Average lead systems engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$192,761	$92.67	3,255
   2	Google	$178,580	$85.86	572
   3	Cloudflare	$171,476	$82.44	102
   4	Microsoft	$160,435	$77.13	742
   5	The Walt Disney Company	$159,380	$76.63	263
   6	Pandora	$154,625	$74.34
   7	Rivian	$150,200	$72.21
   8	Cisco	$147,883	$71.10	393
   9	Starbucks	$146,424	$70.40	6
   10	Gap Inc.	$144,775	$69.60
   11	Zynga	$144,027	$69.24	7
   12	Volvo Trucks	$143,511	$69.00	1
   13	Experian Data Quality	$142,809	$68.66
   14	Akamai Technologies	$142,300	$68.41	14
   15	Amazon	$141,746	$68.15	732
   16	Hyperloop Transportation Technologies	$141,302	$67.93
   17	Nikola Motor	$141,128	$67.85
   18	ZeniMax Media	$140,977	$67.78	3
   19	Wellington Management	$140,785	$67.69	5
   20	BorgWarner	$140,639	$67.61	10

4. Writing a lead systems engineer job description

   A good lead 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 a lead systems engineer job description:

   Lead systems engineer job description example

   
   HII Mission Technologies is seeking a MAF DMO Lead Systems Engineer. The selected candidate will oversee and manage all technical aspects of ongoing projects and serves as liaison between project management and planning, project team, and line management. The selected candidate will be responsible for on time delivery of all technical reports, presentations and white papers in accordance with contractually established standards.The selected candidate will provide technical solutions for MAF DMO standards development, verify interoperability of simulators and equipment on the network, execute MAF events as scheduled, and perform integration and test of MAF DMO Aircrew Training System (ATS) platforms onto the Distributed Training Center Network (DTCN) per the Air Mobility Command (AMC) MAF DMO Flight Plan.
   What you will do
   
   Designs and develops system architectures, and defines key capabilities and performance requirements. Defines total systems design and technology maturity constraints in accordance with mission requirements. Develops system element architecture and design and interface definitions. Defines system implementation approach and operational concept. Develops models and architectural guidelines for current and future system development. Additional duties include: Lead a diverse technical team to deliver Performance Work Statement requirements to meet the full range of MAF training requirements per MAF Concept of Operations (CONOPS), to include Virtual Air Refueling (VAR) training capability, and subsequent sustainment for the following MAF platforms - C-17, KC-135, KC-46, C-5, C-130J, and C-130H per MAF DMO Flight Plan. Additional emerging platforms, to include coalition partners, and Combat Air Forces Reviews status of projects and budgets; manages schedules and prepares status reports. Assesses project issues and develops resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and client-satisfaction goals and objectives. Develops mechanisms for monitoring project progress and for intervention and problem solving with project managers, line managers, and clients. Using a holistic approach, designs, develops, evaluates and modifies end-to-end systems and systems-oriented products through their entire life cycle. Generates quantifiable requirements based on customer description, system planning and design, and acquisition logistics. Ensures requirements comply with client requirements and government standards through formal verification methods. Participates in design reviews of components (hardware and software) to ensure applicability to the current system and traceability of requirements through compliance verification and validation. Integrates high level PWS system requirements with other engineering disciplines to develop lower level detailed implementation requirements. Establishes and coordinates the development and implementation of MAF DMO standards, practices, and procedures for HII and other simulator contractors. Participates in system conceptual design and documentation of the design concepts. Designs interfaces and brings system elements together so they work as a whole. Assesses performance using evaluation criteria and technical performance measures. Reviews test plans/procedures and ensures they meet the objectives of the contractual requirements and participates in the testing process to validate requirements.
   
   What we are looking for
   
   12+ years technical experience with Bachelors in related field; 8+ years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 5+ years relevant experience with PhD . Previous Experience with providing a technical solution for distributed aircraft simulation training
   
   Preferred Requirements
   
   Previous experience managing a USAF distributed training network and a team technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) Experience in Mobility Air Force (MAF) training delivery solutions Previous experience with obtaining a USAF Authorization to Operate on network training
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   Normally not required to lift more than 40 pounds higher than three feet above feet/floor level.Ability to work in and around network servers to include connections, layout and implementation
   
   This opportunity resides with Live, Virtual, Constructive Solutions , a business group within Mission Technologies, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. As a trusted partner to our military customers, we design, develop and operate systems that bring together service members from across the globe to help you train like you fight, because we understand that preparation requires full coordination-not readiness in piece parts.HII is a global engineering and defense technologies provider. With a 135-year history of trusted partnerships in advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities ranging from the most powerful and survivable naval ships ever built, to unmanned systems, ISR and AI/ML analytics. HII leads the industry in mission-driven solutions that support and enable a networked, all-domain force. Headquartered in Virginia, HII's skilled workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, please visit: hii.com.Huntington Ingalls Industries is an Equal Opportunity/Vets and Disabled Employer. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

   To successfully recruit lead systems engineers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview lead 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 lead systems engineer

   Once you've selected the best lead systems engineer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new lead 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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