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Defense Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sr Active Defense Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$144K - $258K/yr

About the Team Our Active Defense team is a group of highly skilled and dedicated professionals who ... Experience in a general-purpose programming language like Python, Java, Kotlin, Scala, or ...

NY · On-site

$80 - $128/hr

Responsibilities Peraton requires a Network Defense Engineer to support the Special Operation Command Information Technology Enterprise Contract (SITEC) - 3 EOM. This position is located at MacDill ...

The Director, Defense Engineering will provide technical leadership across all engineering teams in the Defense organization. The role will lead technology transfer and collaboration between the ...

The Director, Defense Engineering will provide technical leadership across all engineering teams in the Defense organization. The role will lead technology transfer and collaboration between the ...

The Director, Defense Engineering will provide technical leadership across all engineering teams in the Defense organization. The role will lead technology transfer and collaboration between the ...

Senior Cyber Defense AI Analyst

Albany, NY · On-site

$106.19 - $138.05/hr

The Senior Cyber Defense Engineer / Analyst is a senior technical role within the Cyber Defense function. This position is responsible for selecting, engineering, maintaining, tuning, and optimizing ...

Senior Cyber Defense AI Analyst

Albany, NY · On-site

$99K - $128K/yr

The Senior Cyber Defense Engineer / Analyst is a senior technical role within the Cyber Defense function. This position is responsible for selecting, engineering, maintaining, tuning, and optimizing ...

Senior Cyber Defense AI Analyst

Albany, NY · On-site

$99K - $128K/yr

The Senior Cyber Defense Engineer / Analyst is a senior technical role within the Cyber Defense function. This position is responsible for selecting, engineering, maintaining, tuning, and optimizing ...

Showing results 41-60

Defense Engineer information

See salary details

$36.5K

$105.2K

$163K

How much do defense engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense engineer in the United States is $105,223.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $130,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.
More about Defense Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Defense Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Defense Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Defense Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Defense Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Defense Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,223 per year, or $50.6 per hour.

Sr Active Defense Engineer

Workday, Inc.

Reston, VA • On-site

$144K - $258K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 3 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Workday rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

157th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Your work days are brighter here.
We're obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we're shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you'll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We're in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you'll do meaningful work with Workmates who've got your back. In return, we'll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you've found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.
About the Team
Our Active Defense team is a group of highly skilled and dedicated professionals who are passionate about protecting our organization from cyber threats. We source, evaluate, and analyze both internal and external data, providing critical insight to a variety of security and business teams. We use emerging and relevant intelligence to test our defenses rapidly. We perform detailed analysis while meeting the challenge to scale to the business' needs. We are a core function of the overall Cyber Defense organization at Workday that helps keep the company and its customer data safe every day.
Our team members have a strong background in cybersecurity, data analysis, AI and machine learning, offensive security and detection engineering. We use innovative tools and technologies to analyze and visualize data, including Splunk, Spark, Python, and AI-assisted analysis and automation tools. We value teamwork and collaborate closely with other security teams to ensure that our organization stays ahead of emerging cyber threats.
About the Role
As a member of the Active Defense team, you will get an opportunity to collaborate with a large cross-section of teams across Workday to understand the threat landscape, execute threat hunting and offensive security exercises and discover potential vulnerabilities. You will test detection coverage, perform gap analysis and then use this information to develop and refine alerting logic. You will also help develop adaptive and AI-assisted detection and response capabilities.
About You
Basic Qualifications
  • 8+ years of proven abilities in one or more of: incident response, intelligence analysis, vulnerability assessment, security engineering or security operations
  • Experience researching cybersecurity threats and creating security solutions
  • Experience using AI-based discovery and exploit creation tools to mimic adversary capabilities.
  • Experience in a general-purpose programming language like Python, Java, Kotlin, Scala, or JavaScript

Other Qualifications
  • Experience responding to cybersecurity incidents and helping to mitigate threats
  • Experience executing red team engagements and bypassing security controls
  • Experience reverse engineering malware, suspicious code and vulnerabilities
  • Experience developing or applying agents, automation, or workflow orchestration to create or improve detection and response workflows
  • Enthusiastic about new emerging topics in security/intelligence, data science and/or machine learning
  • Dedication to maintain domain proficiency and a professional network with our partners and other interest groups
  • Strong communication skills and an ability to present technical information to a non-technical audience

Workday Pay Transparency Statement
The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate's compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday's comprehensive benefits, please click here.
Primary Location: USA.VA.Reston
Primary Location Base Pay Range: $159,600 USD - $239,400 USD
Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $144,400 USD - $258,000 USD
Our Approach to Flexible Work
With Flex Work, we're combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.
Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
Workday is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals during our application process, in order to perform one or more essential functions of their job, as well as regarding the use of AI tools for employment decision-making to any degree. Please see below for more details including how to request an accommodation as a qualified veteran, due to a disability or for religious reasons, or as otherwise provided under applicable law.
Workday prohibits taking adverse action against any candidate or employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, requesting one or more work accommodations, exercising a privacy right, or cooperating in an investigation in accordance with applicable law. Any employee who retaliates against a candidate or employee for doing so may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law.
If you require a reasonable accommodation, you may email accommodations@workday.com, as far in advance as possible.
Are you being referred to one of our roles? If so, ask your connection at Workday about our Employee Referral process!
At Workday, we value our candidates' privacy and data security. Workday will never ask candidates to apply to jobs through websites that are not Workday Careers.
Please be aware of sites that may ask for you to input your data in connection with a job posting that appears to be from Workday but is not.
In addition, Workday will never ask candidates to pay a recruiting fee, or pay for consulting or coaching services, in order to apply for a job at Workday.

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About Workday

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Workday's journey began with a transformative idea generated during a breakfast conversation between its founders in sunny California. What set us apart from the start was our people-centric culture, driven by the core value of prioritizing our employees. At Workday, the happiness, growth, and contributions of every team member are at the heart of who we are. Our collaborative and employee-focused culture is the key ingredient for our business success. We not only care for our people but also for the communities and the environment, all while maintaining profitability. Embrace your uniqueness, as we encourage our Workmates to shine brightly in their authentic selves. Our passion and energy make us distinct, and we are inspired to create a brighter workday for everyone.

Industry

Software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Pleasanton, CA, US

Year founded

2005