Okay, let’s tackle this. So Jack Nieberding has 46 years of experience as a systems engineer, which is extremely rare. His experience at Northrop Grumman Corporation, a large defense contractor, also adds to his credibility. However, his role as Retired S/W Eng suggests he may not be actively working in the field. Considering his level of experience and education, I would estimate his hourly rate to be on the lower side of the industry average. Looking at the skills he listed, such as Systems Engineering, Software Development, and Process Improvement, these are in-demand skills in various industries. However, his location in Ellicott City, Maryland, may also impact his earning potential. Given these factors, I would estimate his hourly rate to be around $125, which is slightly below the national average for systems engineers in the United States. This rate is also lower than what I would expect for someone with his level of experience and education, but it's still a reasonable estimate considering his unique situation.