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Defense Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer (Defense)

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$100 - $130/hr

From critical infrastructure to defense, we serve major airlines and U.S. and allied government ... You will work with a cross-functional team, including end-users, other engineers, and deployment ...

Frontend Engineer (Defense)

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$80 - $120/hr

From critical infrastructure to defense, we serve major airlines and U.S. and allied government ... What you will do As part of our product engineering team, you will develop interfaces that are used ...

From critical infrastructure to defense, we serve major airlines and U.S. and allied government ... You'll spend your time coding software solutions alongside our product engineers, from adding new ...

Showing results 21-40

Defense Engineer information

What is a defense engineer?

Defense Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain technologies and systems used for national defense and security. Their work may include developing weapons, surveillance equipment, communications systems, and protective gear for military use. They often collaborate with government agencies and defense contractors to ensure that products meet stringent safety and performance standards. Defense Engineers apply principles from fields such as mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering to solve complex challenges related to defense technology.

How do defense engineers typically collaborate with multidisciplinary teams during project development?

Defense Engineers frequently work alongside professionals from various disciplines, including software developers, systems analysts, project managers, and manufacturing specialists. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as complex defense projects require integrating multiple technologies and adhering to strict security protocols. Regular meetings, technical reviews, and cross-functional design sessions are common, ensuring that engineering solutions meet both technical requirements and regulatory standards. Being adaptable and open to feedback from different perspectives is key to success in this collaborative environment.

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 systems design, typically supported by a degree in engineering or a related field and security clearance. Familiarity with CAD software, modeling tools, and knowledge of defense industry standards or certifications like ITAR compliance is often required. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for success in this role. These skills and qualities ensure the development of reliable, secure, and innovative defense systems that meet stringent safety and regulatory requirements.

What is the difference between Defense Engineer vs Systems Engineer?

AspectDefense EngineerSystems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Security Clearances often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Systems or related fields
Work EnvironmentDefense contractors, government agencies, military projectsVarious industries including aerospace, IT, manufacturing
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily defense and military sectorsBroad industry use, including defense, tech, and aerospace
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for technical and security aspectsCompared for project management and system integration skills

Defense Engineers focus on designing and developing military and defense systems, often requiring security clearances and working within defense sectors. Systems Engineers have a broader role in integrating complex systems across various industries, including defense, but with less emphasis on security clearances. Both roles require engineering backgrounds but differ in industry focus and project scope.

How much do defense engineers get paid?

Defense engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $80,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in systems, cybersecurity, or missile defense can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000 annually.

What job categories do people searching Defense Engineer jobs in Boston, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Defense Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:

Infographic showing various Defense Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Cyber Defense Platforms Staff Engineer

Scorpion Therapeutics

Cambridge, MA โ€ข On-site

$170 - $230/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Responsibilities:
  • Own deployment, configuration, administration, and lifecycle of defense platforms including SIEM, SOAR, EDR, DLP, email security, and anti-phishing.
  • Define the platform roadmap: evaluate, deploy, integrate, and rationalize security technologies.
  • Engineer and maintain enterprise security data pipelines (log onboarding, normalization, enrichment, retention, cost management).
  • Own the detection content lifecycle end-to-end (development, testing, tuning, versioning, retirement).
  • Establish detection-as-code practices (version control, peer review, CI/CD, automated validation).
  • Map detection coverage to MITRE ATT&CK; identify gaps and partner with threat intel/IR/offensive security to create durable detections.
  • Design and build SOAR playbooks and workflow automation to reduce manual effort and accelerate triage/response (including automated handling of user-reported phishing).
  • Build internal tooling, integrations, and APIs connecting security platforms to each other and enterprise systems.
  • Set standards for building/deploying/operating the defense technology domain; serve as technical authority.
  • Lead cross-functional technical initiatives and mentor engineers and analysts.
Qualifications:
  • 8+ years in security engineering/operations/detection engineering with ownership of defense/security platforms.
  • Hands-on expertise architecting/administering SIEM/SOAR/EDR/DLP or email security and anti-phishing.
  • Strong security automation software engineering (e.g., Python, Go, PowerShell) with production integrations.
  • Experience building/managing detection content at scale (e.g., MITRE ATT&CK).
  • Proven automation-driven operational improvements.
  • Ability to operate autonomously in a build-from-zero environment.
  • Experience standing up or modernizing a security ops stack (e.g., SIEM migration, SOAR implementation, EDR rollout).
  • Cloud security experience, especially AWS-native services.
  • Experience in regulated industries (pharma/biotech/healthcare/financial services).
  • Relevant certifications (e.g., GIAC GCDA/GDAT/GCIA, CISSP) or equivalent expertise.
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