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Nuclear Weapons Engineer Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

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Nuclear Weapons Engineer information

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How much do nuclear weapons engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuclear weapons engineer in Texas is $79.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77.02 and $87.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nuclear weapons engineer?

A Nuclear Weapons Engineer designs, develops, maintains, and evaluates nuclear weapons and related systems. They work to ensure the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of nuclear arsenals while adhering to national security protocols and international treaties. These engineers may specialize in areas such as weapon physics, materials science, or explosives engineering. Their work often involves simulations, laboratory experiments, and collaboration with government agencies. Due to the sensitive nature of their work, they must obtain security clearances and follow strict regulations.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a nuclear weapons engineer?

As a Nuclear Weapons Engineer, your daily tasks often include designing, testing, and maintaining components or systems related to nuclear armaments, ensuring compliance with strict safety and regulatory standards. You may analyze technical data, conduct simulations, and collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams such as physicists, materials scientists, and safety specialists. Regular responsibilities also involve detailed documentation, troubleshooting complex issues, and participating in security and quality assurance processes. The work is highly structured and demands meticulous attention to detail due to the sensitive nature of the materials and information involved.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the nuclear weapons engineer position, and why are they important?

To excel as a Nuclear Weapons Engineer, you need a deep understanding of nuclear physics, mechanical or electrical engineering, and materials science, usually supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field and relevant security clearance. Familiarity with modeling and simulation software, radiation detection instruments, and compliance standards such as Department of Energy (DOE) regulations is crucial. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills set top candidates apart, as does the ability to work discreetly on sensitive projects. These skills ensure safe, precise work with complex systems while maintaining the strict confidentiality required in national defense environments.

Do nuclear weapons engineers get paid well?

Nuclear weapons engineers typically earn high salaries due to the specialized skills, security clearances, and technical expertise required for the role. Compensation often includes competitive base pay, benefits, and opportunities for advancement within government or defense contractors. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and level of security clearance.

How much do nuclear weapons engineers make?

Nuclear weapons engineers typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and security clearance levels. Senior engineers or those working for government agencies may earn higher salaries, often supplemented with benefits related to security and specialized skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Nuclear Weapons Engineer jobs in Texas?

The most popular types of Nuclear Weapons Engineer jobs in Texas are:

What are popular job titles related to Nuclear Weapons Engineer jobs in Texas?

For Nuclear Weapons Engineer jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Nuclear Weapons Engineer job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $164,902 per year, or $79.3 per hour.

Nuclear Codes and Crypto Engineer, Lead with Security Clearance

MITRE Corporation

San Antonio, TX • On-site

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


MITRE Corporation rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

162nd of 453 rated engineering


Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We're a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies - collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation's health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose - and help shape the future. MITRE's Nuclear Weapon Systems and C2 Platforms Department is seeking an engineer with expertise in Nuclear Codes and Cryptography to join a team focused on building security into the acquisition of a modern nuclear weapon system. The selected candidate will contribute to advancing and providing cutting edge systems and resiliency engineering services for an Air Force Weapons System Program Office at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. This position is located with the Sponsor at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The position could potentially be filled by a candidate located in Bedford, MA, Mclean, VA, or San Antonio, TX, which would require additional travel to Hill AFB, UT. Candidates based in Bedford, MA, Mclean, VA and San Antonio, TX will be expected to travel more frequently than those residing in Utah. Responsibilities Include: * Conduct engineering analysis of contractor's proposed design the following technical / cyber areas: cybersecurity; nuclear command & control (NC2) cryptography; nuclear codes and critical signals; government and commercial cryptographic solutions, algorithms, and lifecycle support; COMSEC and key management; vulnerability analysis and mitigation development; post-quantum cryptography; and digital engineering.
* Evaluate and validate prime contractor's design for the sufficiency of NC2, non-NC2, and commercial cryptographic capabilities including hardware and software, algorithm selection, and key, nuclear code and certificate management to meet weapon system requirements and national, DoW, and Air Force cybersecurity requirements. Perform trade studies and system level tradeoffs.
* Advise senior material leaders on the use of COMSEC devices and algorithms in accordance with National Security Systems and Air Force policies. Prepare and present technical presentations and papers and present to senior Air Force leaders.
* Research cutting-edge technical capabilities and processes for understanding, assessing, and analyzing systems and technology resilience and security.
* Develop cryptographic roadmaps, modernization strategies and integration plans for the use of cryptography in an Air Force weapon system and be interoperable with STRATCOM nuclear keys & codes distribution methods. Basic Qualifications * Typically requires a minimum, of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, cybersecurity, or related discipline; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or PhD with 3 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
* Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
* U.S. Citizenship required.
* Familiarity with National Security System (NSS) cryptography and cybersecurity requirements.
* Demonstrated success in applying cybersecurity knowledge to conduct systems engineering analysis.
* Ability to clearly summarize technical concepts and research results verbally and in writings/presentations.
* Ability to work as part of a Government, FFRDC/UARC, and Contractor team to solve challenging technical problems.
* Must be a self-starter with creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities, able to function within an ambiguous and dynamic environment with minimal supervision.
* This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site. Preferred Qualifications * Experience in nuclear keys & codes, government and commercial cryptographic capabilities, algorithms, and security services and their application in a National Security System.
* Experience with quantum computing and the effects of quantum computing on cryptography and cyber security.
* Skills and commitment to building, contributing to, and sustaining high-performance teams, achieving team goals, growing trust, and collaboration.
* Experience with tools such as DOORS, Cameo, TeamCenter, STK, AFSIM, Matlab
* Experience supporting a major Department of Defense acquisition program.
* Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Top Secret level security clearance including SAP access. This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Secret This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Top Secret Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$158,800 - $198,500 - $238,200 Annual Work Location Type:
Onsite It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law. MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE's employment process, please email for general support and for intern positions. This service is for individuals requiring reasonable accommodation requests. Please note that vendor solicitations will not receive a reply. Benefits information may be found here . Copyright © 1997-2026, The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. MITRE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. Material on this site may be copied and distributed with permission only.

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About MITRE

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Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges-and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day-working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities, and a culture of innovation that embraces diversity, inclusion, flexibility, collaboration, and career growth. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE-and make a difference with us. MITRE is a trusted operator of federally funded research and development centers and we're on a mission to make the world a safer place-for all of humanity, today and in the future. To deliver on our mission, we need the world's best talent and leaders-groundbreakers and partnership-builders on a global scale in areas like healthcare, artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure resiliency, pandemic management, and cybersecurity. In return, we have the privilege of backing you with thousands of technical experts in diverse fields, a culture of innovation and knowledge sharing, access to data and resources uniquely available to MITRE through our wide-ranging partnerships across government, industry and academia.

Industry

It services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1958

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