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Firearm Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Axon

Sr Software Engineer II

Sterling, VA · On-site

$121K - $159K/yr

Lead engineering architecture design reviews * Set a high technical bar for the team through code ... Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment. We collect ...

Axon

Senior C++ Software Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

Design, develop, and optimize C++ code for computer vision and camera tracking systems. * Build and ... Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment. We collect ...

Axon

Senior Product Manager, Defeat

Sterling, VA · On-site

$125K - $165K/yr

You'll partner with engineering, design, and field teams to ship the tools operators use to ... Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment. We collect ...

All JobsFirearm Design Engineer JobsFirearm Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Firearm Design Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$40.2K

$110.5K

$163.1K

How much do firearm design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for firearm design engineer in Virginia is $110,543.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,300.00 and $137,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Firearm Design Engineers during the development process?

Firearm Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing innovation with strict safety and compliance standards, ensuring durability, and managing tight project timelines. They must frequently collaborate with manufacturing teams, quality assurance, and regulatory bodies to address technical constraints or design modifications. Adapting to changing technology and client specifications is also common, requiring flexibility and continuous learning. Successfully navigating these challenges contributes to the creation of reliable, high-performing products that comply with all legal and safety requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Firearm Design Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Firearm Design Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical engineering, materials science, and ballistics, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Expertise in CAD software, rapid prototyping, and knowledge of industry safety standards and compliance certifications are vital. Attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and strong collaboration skills help individuals excel in cross-functional teams. These capabilities are crucial to ensure innovative, reliable, and safe firearm designs that meet both technical specifications and regulatory requirements.

What is a Firearm Design Engineer job?

A Firearm Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing firearms and related components. They use engineering principles, computer-aided design (CAD) software, and materials science to create safe, functional, and innovative weapon systems. Their work involves collaboration with manufacturing teams, compliance with industry regulations, and performance testing to ensure reliability and safety. Many Firearm Design Engineers have backgrounds in mechanical or aerospace engineering and a strong understanding of ballistics and materials.

What are the most commonly searched types of Firearm Design Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Firearm Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Firearm Design Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Firearm Design Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Firearm Design Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Firearm Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
Firearm Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Firearm Design Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,543 per year, or $53.1 per hour.
Platform Test Engineer

Platform Test Engineer

Armaments Research Company, Inc.

Ashburn, VA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Description
The Full Platform Test Engineer is responsible for working cross-functionally with ARC’s Leadership Team, growth, product, and engineering teams to ensure all products and services meet defined requirements and are fully tested / validated prior to delivery. You will provide operational and tactical insight and input during leading-edge product requirements development. You must have test design and execution experience, be enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and capable of effectively working with the operational, hardware, and software teams to fully test and verify ARC’s IoT systems meet defined specifications. You will work directly with ARC’s IoT sensor devices to test performance and capabilities on several military and law enforcement weapons platforms, including (but not limited to) the M4, M2, MK19, M17, M240, M249, and others. You will interface directly with external customers to obtain their feedback and incorporate it into new system-level test plans designed to root out issues that must be resolved to deliver first-class products. In this position, you must operate firearms independently in a safe and regulatory-compliant manner during testing on a routine basis.  
Location: DC Metro Area
Travel:  up to 30% per leadership guidance
This position will require access to restricted information and facilities protected under U.S. laws and regulations, including the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). Please note that any offer for employment will be conditioned on any required authorization to receive access to such restricted information and facilities necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.  
 
Citizenship Verification: This position requires verification of U.S. Citizenship to meet federal government security screening requirements required for this role. The successful candidate must be a U.S. Citizen and otherwise eligible to obtain access to classified information and facilities necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position. 

Role Responsibilities - How You Will Make an Impact
  • Responsible for the coordination, management and execution of full platform testing, test documentation and test follow-up. 
  • Develop and execute rigorous full platform test plans designed to verify product requirements and generate reporting tools to inform leadership of any discovered issues.  
  • Track and report issues and platform performance to ensure product requirements are met.  
  • Responsible for the planning, scheduling and execution of customer product and system demonstrations as required. 
  • Experience with network setup and configuration, IoT sensors, and familiarity with testing of software or hardware products. 
  • Serve as the liaison between the Business Development, Product and Operational teams to align and test products with customer requirements, challenges, and technical capabilities.  
  • Support ARC’s Quality Management System (QMS) and provide monthly metrics related to full platform testing / results. 
  • Safely and compliantly operate firearms as either an individual shooter or supervising other shooters as a range officer. At least 5 years of prior firearms use experience is required. 
  • Support data collection events and data capture plans for each new weapon platform in collaboration with the ARC Data Science Team 
  • Execute full scope product and system testing and provide weekly status reporting. 
  • Provide a consultative approach to capture client products and feature specifications as required. 

Relevant Skills and Experience
  • Minimum 5 years of U.S. military tactical operations experience required. 
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience planning and executing product testing plans. 
  • Must be able to write test reports that are concise, accurate and easily understood. 
  • Experience developing data-driven approaches to test plan design, analysis, and reporting. 
  • Possess well-established analytical and technical ability and experience. 
  • Good executive presence, communication, and presentation skills. 
  • Proven record of accomplishment of consistently meeting and/or exceeding assigned tasks on time.  


What We Offer
Equity Options
401k plan
Employer paid employee medical, dental and vision
13 paid holidays plus Flexible PTO Policy