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Director Weapons Systems Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ursa Major is seeking a Director, Air Force Weapon Systems to lead the definition, integration, and operational alignment of next-generation Hypersonic All Up Round (AUR) solutions. This role serves ...

As the Senior Systems Engineer -Weapons, you will serve as a lead technical authority by providing ... Proactive, self-directed work style with the ability to operate independently. * Analytical thinker ...

Weapons System Engineer

Patuxent River, MD · Hybrid

$110K - $130K/yr

Manage A/A weapon engineering activities, including modeling and simulation, Systems Engineering ... Proactive, self-directed work style with the ability to operate independently. * Analytical thinker ...

Weapons System Engineer

Patuxent River, MD · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Manage A/A weapon engineering activities, including modeling and simulation, Systems Engineering ... Proactive, self-directed work style with the ability to operate independently. * Analytical thinker ...

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Director Weapons Systems information

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How much do director weapons systems jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for director weapons systems in the United States is $123,955.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,000.00 and $137,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Weapons Systems, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Weapons Systems, you need deep expertise in defense technology, systems engineering, and project management, usually supported by an advanced degree in engineering or a related field and significant defense sector experience. Familiarity with military standards, weapon system platforms, and tools like CAD software, as well as security clearances, are typically required. Strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills are crucial for managing multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills ensure the effective development, integration, and deployment of complex weapon systems critical to defense objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Weapons Systems when managing cross-functional teams?

A Director of Weapons Systems often oversees multidisciplinary teams including engineers, project managers, procurement specialists, and compliance officers. Coordinating efforts across these groups can be challenging due to differing priorities, technical languages, and regulatory requirements. Effective communication, strong leadership, and a solid understanding of both technical and programmatic aspects are essential to align goals, resolve conflicts, and ensure that projects stay on schedule and within budget. Building mutual respect and fostering collaboration are key to overcoming these challenges in a high-stakes, security-sensitive environment.

What does a Director of Weapons Systems do?

A Director of Weapons Systems is responsible for overseeing the development, integration, and management of weapon systems within an organization, typically in defense or military sectors. This role involves coordinating teams of engineers, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and managing projects from concept through deployment. Directors also liaise with government agencies, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure that weapons systems meet operational requirements and budgetary constraints. Their leadership is critical in advancing technological capabilities while maintaining strict security protocols.

What is the difference between Director Weapons Systems vs Weapons Systems Engineer?

AspectDirector Weapons SystemsWeapons Systems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Management experienceBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, specialized technical skills
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, project oversight, strategic planningDesign, development, testing of weapon systems
Employer & Industry UsageDefense contractors, military organizationsDefense contractors, aerospace firms

The Director Weapons Systems focuses on overseeing projects, managing teams, and strategic decision-making, while the Weapons Systems Engineer is primarily involved in technical design, development, and testing of weapon systems. Both roles require engineering credentials and are integral to defense industry operations, but they differ in scope and responsibilities.

More about Director Weapons Systems jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Weapons Systems jobs? Cities with the most Director Weapons Systems job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Weapons Systems jobs? The most popular types of Weapons Systems jobs are:
What states have the most Director Weapons Systems jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Weapons Systems jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Weapons Systems job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 26% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 36% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $123,955 per year, or $59.6 per hour.
Director, Air Force Weapons Systems

Director, Air Force Weapons Systems

Ursa Major

Berthoud, CO

$200K - $245K/yr

Other

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Ursa Major is seeking a Director, Air Force Weapon Systems to lead the definition, integration, and operational alignment of next-generation Hypersonic All Up Round (AUR) solutions. This role serves as the critical bridge between program management, engineering, business development, and the end-user warfighter community-ensuring Ursa Major's propulsion and weapon system technologies translate into fieldable, differentiated, and operationally superior capabilities.

The ideal candidate combines deep Air Force weapon system domain expertise, strong user community engagement credibility, and the ability to shape requirements and acquisition pathways that accelerate transition from development to production programs of record. While working on-site in Berthoud, Colorado is preferred, we will consider candidates working hybrid or fully remote, ideally near a USAF location. 

Key Responsibilities

Weapon System Definition & Integration

  • Partner with Program Managers and technical leadership to shape end-to-end requirements, architecture, and design of Ursa Major All Up Round solutions.
  • Ensure system-level decisions create competitive, differentiated operational value from the warfighter's perspective.
  • Drive alignment between Air Force mission needs, TTPs, performance trades, and logistics realities.

Warfighter & User Community Engagement

  • Act as a senior interface to operational weapon officers/users across Air Force communities.
  • Shape customer requirements to reflect the unique operational advantages enabled by Ursa Major propulsion technologies.
  • Maintain persistent engagement to identify gaps between user needs and acquisition community priorities, then lead strategies to close those gaps in ways that:
    • Accelerate transition to production programs
    • Create competitive positioning
    • Improve mission effectiveness

Operational Enablement for Advanced Propulsion

  • Support customer development of logistics concepts, handling procedures, and operational processes required to employ hydrogen-peroxide-enabled propulsion systems.
  • Ensure readiness to progress from development operational test fielding production with minimal friction.
  • Provide similar operational advocacy and enablement for:
    • High-loading-grain (HLG) solid rocket motor propellant
    • Novel manufacturing approaches that expand industrial base capacity and performance versus legacy SRM solutions

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Collaborate across Engineering, Programs, Business Development, and SRM product teams to align technical capability with mission demand signals.
  • Inform capture strategy, customer messaging, and roadmap prioritization using direct user insight.
  • Serve as an internal and external thought leader on future weapon system employment concepts.

Required Qualifications

  • 12+ years of experience in weapon/missile systems, advanced munitions, or targets within DoD, industry, or national security organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience engaging operational warfighter communities and acquisition stakeholders.
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Weapon system requirements development
    • Test, fielding, handling, and sustainment processes
    • Military logistics and operational employment concepts
  • Proven ability to influence cross-functional technical and programmatic decisions.
  • Active U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Operational military experience in Fires, air and missile defense, strike, or munitions employment.
  • Working knowledge of handling systems with solid rocket motors, liquid propulsion, or advanced energetics.
  • Knowledge of various Hypersonic subsystem providers and capabilities.  
  • Advanced degree in engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Top Secret Security Clearance

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $200,000 - $245,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can't quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy. 

Classification: Full-time Exempt