Also called: Systems integration engineer (defense), MBSE engineer
Makes sure all the pieces of a complex defense system, like a submarine or satellite, work together and meet requirements.
Systems engineers translate what the military wants into thousands of detailed requirements, model how subsystems interact, and track tests. It's the most common engineering job title at big defense companies.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in engineering; clearance often required.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.
Growing about average. Strong demand with defense budgets.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI drafts requirements and checks interfaces; making the whole system work stays human.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Computer Science, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2199.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.