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Defense Engineer Salary Jobs in Spring, TX (NOW HIRING)

Location: Houston, TX Salary: $75,000-$90,000 Please note that the salary range information ... defense and energy markets. To learn more, please visit us at Surface Treatment and Metal ...

Solutions Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$70 - $90/hr

Global impact -- our platform is used by aerospace, automotive, defense, and R&D teams in 40 ... Competitive base salary, performance bonus, for strong performers. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Firmware Design Engineer

Conroe, TX · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

We support commercial clients, defense programs, and government agencies with innovative products ... Competitive salary and benefits. * Mission‑driven company with long‑standing customer ...

New

Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. What You Will Do * You will be a member ... The salary range for this role is 68,900 USD - 131,100 USD. The salary range provided is a good ...

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$117K - $161K/yr

Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. As a Senior FPGA Design Engineer you ... The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 USD. The salary range provided is a good ...

Treating identity as the primary control plane in a defense-in-depth program, this engineer designs ... The expected salary range for this role is between following values: $104000 and $156000 The final ...

Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. At Raytheon, the foundation of ... The salary range for this role is 68,900 USD - 131,100 USD. The salary range provided is a good ...

Showing results 41-60

Defense Engineer Salary information

See Spring, TX salary details

$33.8K

$103.1K

$170.4K

How much do defense engineer salary jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense engineer salary in Spring, TX is $103,107.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,900.00 and $134,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the average salary of a defense engineer?

The average salary of a defense engineer in the United States typically ranges from $75,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on experience, education, location, and the specific employer. Entry-level positions may start around $70,000, while more experienced engineers or those in specialized roles can earn upwards of $130,000 or more. Defense engineers working in high-demand areas or with advanced security clearances may also receive additional compensation or bonuses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a defense engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Defense Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, problem-solving, and security protocols, typically supported by a degree in electrical, mechanical, or aerospace engineering. Familiarity with defense-specific software, CAD tools, and security clearance requirements is often necessary. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong analytical skills help professionals excel in this high-stakes environment. These competencies are crucial for designing, testing, and maintaining systems that ensure national security and operational effectiveness.

What are some common challenges defense engineers face when working on classified or sensitive projects?

Defense engineers frequently encounter the challenge of adhering to strict security protocols when working on classified projects. This often means limited access to information, restricted collaboration with external parties, and additional layers of approval for design changes or data sharing. Navigating these security requirements while meeting project deadlines and ensuring technical excellence requires strong attention to detail and adaptability. Teamwork and clear communication within secure environments are crucial for overcoming these challenges and successfully delivering on project goals.

What is the difference between Defense Engineer Salary vs Systems Engineer?

AspectDefense EngineerSystems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Security ClearancesBachelor's in Engineering or related field, certifications like INCOSE
Work EnvironmentDefense contractors, government agenciesTechnology firms, aerospace, defense
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily defense and military projectsBroad industry use including defense, IT, aerospace

Defense Engineer salaries typically align with those of Systems Engineers due to overlapping credentials and work environments. However, Defense Engineers often require security clearances and work specifically on military projects, which can influence salary differences. Both roles are vital in defense and technology sectors, with salary variations based on experience, location, and security requirements.

What job categories do people searching Defense Engineer Salary jobs in Spring, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Defense Engineer Salary jobs in Spring, TX are:

What cities near Spring, TX are hiring for Defense Engineer Salary jobs?

Cities near Spring, TX with the most Defense Engineer Salary job openings:

Infographic showing various Defense Engineer Salary job openings in Spring, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,107 per year, or $49.6 per hour.

$75K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Curtiss-Wright rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 36 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

102nd of 496 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

Process Engineer
We are looking for a Process Engineer to join our Houston (Pearland) team!
As our Process Engineer, you will be a part of the production team at our Surface Technologies facility, specializing in Thermal Spray coatings.
This is a hands-on opportunity working with production staff as well as being involved in developing customer projects and industrializing current projects.
Location: Houston, TX
Salary: $75,000-$90,000
Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only, reflecting a position based in TX. Criteria such as the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.
We Take Care of Our People
Paid Time Off I 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing I Health and Wellness Benefits I Learning and Development Opportunities I Referral Program I Competitive Pay I Recognition I Employee Stock Purchase Plan I Inclusive & Supportive Culture *
Your Challenge
  • Working hands-on with the team to develop customer projects, creating documentation, including working instructions and workmanship standards; and industrializing the projects at hand.
  • Working with the production staff on the floor to ensure process documents are followed and providing technical support.
  • Troubleshooting problems associated with the manufacturing process.
  • Communicate with customer engineering and quality teams to resolve problems.
  • Working with QA department to assist with internal and external audits as required.
  • Improve existing operations for increased quality, productivity, efficiency, and cost savings.

What You Bring
  • Experience with lean principles and continuous improvement
  • Solidworks / AutoCAD and blueprint interpretation experience
  • Polished technical and interpersonal communication skills
  • Enthusiasm, commitment and motivation

Preferred
  • Robotics programming or teaching

Who We Are
Our Values
Environmental, Social and Governance
Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies ("CWST") is the group name for the collective technical services provided by the legacy companies of Metal Improvement Company("MIC"), E/M Coating Services, Everlube Products, FW Gartner Thermal Spraying, Para Tech Coating, Component Coating & Repair Services, Bolt's Metallizing, Keronite, and IMR Test Labs.
CWST is a Division of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets.
To learn more, please visit us at Surface Treatment and Metal Improvement | CWST
*Please note, benefits are country specific and may vary from location to location.
#LI-BR
No unsolicited agency submittals please. Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal. Resumes submitted directly to any Curtiss-Wright employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Curtiss-Wright.
Compliance Statement
This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening. In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn.
Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.
For US Applicants: EEO is The Law - click here for more information.
If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.

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About Curtiss-Wright

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Curtiss-Wright Actuation Division designs, manufactures and supports electro-mechanical actuation products and systems for use in demanding applications in Aerospace, Defense and Industrial Automation markets. Our market leading solutions help improve the reliability, efficiency and performance of our customers' operations and platforms, as well as reducing their environmental impact with energy efficient electro-mechanical designs and technology. For the Aerospace market, we supply actuation systems for flight control, landing gear, utility and other applications on both commercial and military aircraft. In Ground & Naval Defense markets, we support a wide array of applications ranging from door assist, ramp and hatch actuation, weapons handling systems, radar and launch platform actuation, and robotic (AUV/ROV) actuation. In Industrial Automation, our Exlar® actuators are globally recognized as a leading brand offering high power density, precision and reliability for machine/process applications in automotive, food & beverage, oil & gas, robotics, entertainment and many other industries.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Davidson, NC, US

Year founded

1929

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