1

Chemical Engineer Weapons Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IDOS

Ogden, UT · On-site

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Nuclear Weapons Center is seeking Systems ... Aerospace Engineers Chemical Engineers Civil Engineers Configuration & Data Managers Cybersecurity ...

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Nuclear Weapons Center is seeking Systems ... Aerospace Engineers Chemical Engineers Civil Engineers Configuration & Data Managers Cybersecurity ...

... weapons manufacturingduring the cold war era. AVANTech's goal is to improve the environment ... The Mechanical Engineer will work with project managers, electricalengineers, chemical engineers ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Chemical Engineer Weapons information

See salary details

$40K

$87.5K

$140K

How much do chemical engineer weapons jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for chemical engineer weapons in the United States is $87,487.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,500.00 and $106,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chemical Engineer in weapons development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chemical Engineer in weapons development, you need a solid grounding in chemical engineering principles, materials science, and explosives chemistry, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with modeling software like MATLAB or ANSYS, as well as security clearances and certifications in safety or hazardous materials, is often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help ensure safe and innovative solutions in high-stakes environments. These skills are crucial for developing reliable and safe defense systems while adhering to strict regulatory and safety standards.

What is the difference between Chemical Engineer Weapons vs Chemical Engineer Explosives?

AspectChemical Engineer WeaponsChemical Engineer Explosives
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Chemical Engineering, security clearancesBachelor's or higher in Chemical Engineering, specialized training in explosives
Work EnvironmentDefense labs, military facilities, secure environmentsManufacturing plants, research labs, safety-sensitive sites
Industry UsageMilitary defense, national securityMining, construction, demolition, manufacturing
Common Search IntentDefense applications, military chemical rolesExplosive manufacturing, safety, and research

While both roles involve chemical engineering skills, Chemical Engineer Weapons focus on developing and maintaining defense-related chemical systems within secure military environments. In contrast, Chemical Engineer Explosives specialize in designing, manufacturing, and handling explosive materials across various industries. The key differences lie in their work settings, security requirements, and application areas.

What are some common challenges faced by Chemical Engineers working in the weapons industry?

Chemical Engineers in the weapons industry often navigate complex regulations regarding safety, environmental impact, and material handling. A significant challenge is designing processes that safely manage hazardous chemicals while meeting strict performance specifications for defense applications. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including mechanical engineers, safety specialists, and project managers—is essential, as is staying current with evolving compliance standards. Additionally, balancing innovation with security and confidentiality requirements can add to the complexity of this role.
Infographic showing various Chemical Engineer Weapons job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,487 per year, or $42.1 per hour.
Cleared R&D Manager, Ballistic Missile Weapons Integrated Stockpile Evaluation, Onsite

Cleared R&D Manager, Ballistic Missile Weapons Integrated Stockpile Evaluation, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories

Albuquerque, NM

$163K - $278K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Sandia National Laboratories rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 103 rated laboratories


Job description

Apply for Job
Job ID
697982
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

  • Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
  • Extraordinary co-workers
  • Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
  • Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
  • Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
  • Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

  • These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like

The Integrated Stockpile Evaluation (ISE) group is looking for an enthusiastic and visionary leader to manage the Ballistic Missile Weapons ISE Department 2252. This is a unique opportunity to lead a critical mission that directly supports the safety, security, and performance of the nations nuclear stockpile.

We are responsible for designing, developing, and executing programs that support both modernization and enduring weapon systems. These programs generate vital test data that informs the broader nuclear security community. Our team of System Evaluation Engineers (SEEs) leads data collection efforts for all stockpile ballistic missile weapon systems and drives surveillance program development for modernization efforts. Additionally, the department manages the U.S. portion of the United Kingdom Service Life Assessment program.

You will collaborate closely with a diverse set of stakeholders, including:

  • ISE 2250 Senior Manager and other department managers
  • Stockpile Systems management teams (2210, 2220, 8280)
  • Modernization program teams for the W87-1 (2360 and 2370) and W93 (2390)
  • Center 2200 Business Operations Department (10328)
  • Key partners from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
  • Navy and Air Force representatives
  • United Kingdom stakeholders

This crosscutting role offers visibility and influence across all weapons programs.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

  • Lead and mentor a high-performing, multidisciplinary R&D team as they execute broad surveillance programs.
  • Guide department staff and peers through complex trade-offs involving surveillance program execution, timelines, resources, and fidelity.
  • Engage directly with management and technical staff, typically outside the Center, in the execution of data collection and analysis for Annual Assessment activities.
  • Partner with external sites such as PX, SRS, KCNSC, LANL, LLNL, Navy, and Air Force to negotiate and balance surveillance data and hardware needs.
  • Represent Sandia externally with the Navy, Air Force, and United Kingdom on ballistic missile weapons surveillance.
  • Support stockpile evaluation governance through the Integrated Weapon Evaluation Team (IWET) for surveillance planning.
  • Build and nurture trusted relationships with internal and external clients, stakeholders, and partners across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
  • Educate partners, customers, and senior leadership on stockpile evaluation processes, challenges, and needs.

This role requires regular travel to test locations, program planning venues, and the Weapons Evaluation Test Laboratory at Pantex in Amarillo, TX. Due to the sensitive nature of the work, the selected candidate must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range

$163,700 - $278,000

  • Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.
Qualifications We Require
  • A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or closely related STEM field and eight (8) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
  • Experience leading a team in a senior engineering or comparable technical leadership role.
  • Experience with nuclear weapon systems and subsystems.
  • Active DOE Q-level security clearance or equivalent.
Qualifications We Desire
  • Minimum of two (2) years of demonstrated leadership experience.
  • Advanced degree in mechanical, electrical, nuclear, chemical engineering, or a closely related STEM discipline.
  • Management and/or leadership experience in a nuclear weapons-related R&D organization.
  • Experience with stockpile evaluation and system- or component-level surveillance.
  • Proven experience leading and executing failure or anomaly investigations.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong customer service orientation.
  • Demonstrated success in recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and leading technical staff.
  • Ability to derive and manage design requirements using systems engineering principles.
  • Proven track record of delivering results and effectively leading multidisciplinary R&D engineering teams.
  • Ability to build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with internal peers, external clients, and stakeholders.
  • Practical knowledge of DOE/NNSA business practices, processes, and policies.
  • Experience with data analysis methods, including Quantification of Margins and Uncertainties (QMU).
About Our Team

The Integrated Stockpile Evaluation (ISE) Program delivers high-quality surveillance data and information throughout the lifecycle of weapon systems to enable stockpile decisions.

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance

Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandi...


What Sandia National Laboratories employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Sandia National Laboratories logo

About Sandia National Laboratories

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Albuquerque, NM, US

Year founded

1949