Okay, let’s tackle this. So Jen has 6 months of experience as a system engineer, which is relatively short. Skills like biometrics, program management, and requirements analysis are in demand, but the duration of her experience is limited. Location is Pasadena, Maryland, which is a moderate-cost area. Based on national averages for system engineers with similar skills and experience, I estimate her hourly rate to be around $100. This is a conservative estimate, as top-tier system engineers with more experience can charge higher rates. However, considering her short experience, I'm on the lower end of the scale.