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Nuclear Weapons Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Noblis

Air Force Nuclear Weapons SME

Arlington, VA · On-site

Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Operational Conditions Research and Development. Required ... We bring together leading scientific, engineering, and management expertise in a culture grounded ...

Leidos

Senior Nuclear Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$102K - $122K/yr

Responsibilities include conducting technical assessments of foreign nuclear weapons infrastructure to reverse-engineer protective hardening measures and identify facility, process, and supply chain ...

Leidos

Senior Nuclear Engineer

Reston, VA

$102K - $122K/yr

Responsibilities include conducting technical assessments of foreign nuclear weapons infrastructure to reverse-engineer protective hardening measures and identify facility, process, and supply chain ...

Leidos

Principal Nuclear Engineer SME

Reston, VA · On-site

$102K - $122K/yr

The successful candidate will lead technical assessments of foreign nuclear weapons infrastructure, reverse engineer protective hardening measures, and identify vulnerabilities across facilities ...

Leidos

Principal Nuclear Engineer SME

Reston, VA

$102K - $122K/yr

The successful candidate will lead technical assessments of foreign nuclear weapons infrastructure, reverse engineer protective hardening measures, and identify vulnerabilities across facilities ...

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How much do nuclear weapons engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuclear weapons engineer in the United States is $85.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82.69 and $93.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 with specialized skills in nuclear physics or weapons design can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $180,000. The role often requires security clearances and work in secure government or defense facilities.

What is a Nuclear Weapons Engineer job?

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 jobs can a nuclear engineer get?

A nuclear engineer can work in roles such as nuclear power plant engineer, radiation safety officer, nuclear research scientist, or nuclear systems analyst. These positions often require knowledge of nuclear physics, safety protocols, and specialized tools or software, and may involve working in regulated environments or with government agencies.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior nuclear weapons engineers or specialists with extensive experience, advanced security clearances, and expertise in nuclear technology can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in government or defense contractor roles. High compensation often reflects specialized skills, leadership responsibilities, and working in high-stakes environments.

Can you make $500,000 as a nuclear engineer?

Nuclear engineers typically earn salaries well below $500,000 annually, with median wages around $120,000 to $150,000. High-level positions in government or private industry with extensive experience, advanced security clearances, and specialized skills may approach or exceed this figure, but such salaries are uncommon for most nuclear engineers.

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.

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Nuclear Weapons Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nuclear Weapons Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $177,000 per year, or $85.1 per hour.
Scientist / Nuclear Weapons SME

Scientist / Nuclear Weapons SME

Global Engineering & Technology, Inc. (GET)

Germantown, MD • On-site

$175K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

THIS POSITION IS 100% ON-SITE IN GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND.

Relocation Support to the Germantown area may be provided.

Global Engineering & Technology (GET) is seeking a Nuclear Weapons Subject Matter Expert (SME) with expertise in nuclear weapon science to support the Department of Energy's Office of Classification in Germantown, Maryland.

This is a highly compensated full-time position with benefits, with work performed primarily at the DOE facility in Germantown, Maryland. This long-term position may provide relocation support to the Germantown area for those who live outside of the DMV (region encompassing the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia).

Salary Range: Compensation for this position will range from $175,000 to $190,000 per year, depending on qualifications.

Duties:
  • This position requires expert-level knowledge to advise senior DOE management on current technical issues related to the SME's area of expertise in nuclear weapons research (e.g., nuclear weapon design, materials science research, stockpile management, special nuclear materials production, developments relating to improvised nuclear devices, or other areas of expertise)
  • This leadership and policy guidance position requires the ability to lead working groups and develop white papers and presentations
  • This senior professional prepares classification guidance and classification/declassification policy documents and guides in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, DOE Orders, and DOE Office of Classification procedures for Restricted Data (RD), Formerly Restricted Data (FRD), National Security Information (NSI), and Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information (UCNI), including but not limited to the technical areas described below

Requirements

Security Clearance:

Candidate MUST be a United States citizen and have a current DoD Top Secret security clearance or DOE Q security clearance

Education and Experience:

  • Applicant MUST have earned an advanced degree in nuclear engineering or a physical science
  • Applicant MUST have hands-on nuclear weapon science experience
  • This position requires excellent writing and verbal communication skills. The individual must demonstrate the ability to read and understand written English at or above academic grade 15 (Nelson Denny reading assessment).

Minimum of ten (10) years' total field experience in the subject area of nuclear weapons is required. Hands-on experience with nuclear weapons-related matters such as any of the following is highly valued:

  • Computer Codes and Simulation Tools
  • Nuclear Weapon Design
  • Weapon Science
  • Use Control and other surety aspects of nuclear weapons
  • Knowledge of Improvised Nuclear Devices (INDs)
  • Advanced understanding of Radiation Exposure Devices and Radiological Dispersal Devices, including their basic science and technological principles
  • Expert knowledge of programs such as Second Line of Defense to interdict nuclear materials
  • Hands-on knowledge of computer code development to support the nuclear weapon complex is desirable, as is experience with XML computer language
  • Experience working with DOE / NNSA / DoD / DHS / NRC and the national nuclear weapon laboratories

The following are also highly valued:

  • Expertise in Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF)
  • Experience teaching and developing testing and educational materials for subjects such as IND or ICF is highly desirable

Benefits

We provide exceptional benefits to our full-time employees (spouse/family coverage option is available at a company-subsidized rate).

Benefits include:

  • Medical Plan Options With UnitedHealthcare
  • Dental Insurance
  • Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • AD&D Insurance
  • Generous 401(k) Match

All benefits are effective on day one of employment.

Global Engineering & Technology, Inc. (GET) does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

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