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Survivability Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

This position supports MSD's Engagements, Effects and Survivability Team, providing advanced ... Provide engineering support for software integration testing and model verification within live ...

$120K - $140K/yr

This position supports MSD's Engagements, Effects and Survivability Team, providing advanced ... Provide engineering support for software integration testing and model verification within live ...

Principal Nuclear Engineer SME

Reston, VA · On-site

$102K - $122K/yr

This unique position combines computational physics, engineering analysis, and all-source ... Nuclear Hardness & Survivability * Analyze the effects of nuclear weapons on facilities ...

Senior Nuclear Engineer

Reston, VA

$102K - $122K/yr

Nuclear Hardness & Survivability * Analyze the effects of nuclear weapons on facilities ... Prepare detailed technical reports, engineering assessments, and executive-level briefings on ...

Senior Nuclear Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$102K - $122K/yr

Nuclear Hardness & Survivability * Analyze the effects of nuclear weapons on facilities ... Prepare detailed technical reports, engineering assessments, and executive-level briefings on ...

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Showing results 1-20

Survivability Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$37.7K

$114.9K

$189.9K

How much do survivability engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for survivability engineer in Virginia is $114,871.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,300.00 and $150,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Survivability Engineer job?

A Survivability Engineer is responsible for enhancing the ability of military vehicles, aircraft, or systems to withstand and recover from threats such as ballistic impacts, electronic warfare, and cyberattacks. They analyze vulnerabilities, develop protective technologies, and integrate stealth, armor, and countermeasure systems. Their work involves threat assessment, materials research, and system design to improve mission effectiveness and crew safety. Survivability Engineers collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including defense contractors and military personnel, to ensure systems meet operational and safety requirements.

What are some typical projects or challenges a Survivability Engineer might work on?

As a Survivability Engineer, you’ll often be tasked with evaluating and improving the ability of military vehicles, aircraft, or naval vessels to withstand and recover from hostile threats or adverse environments. This may include conducting vulnerability assessments, developing protection solutions against ballistic or electronic attacks, and working closely with design, testing, and validation teams. A common challenge involves balancing system protection with performance and weight constraints, requiring innovative engineering solutions. You will also collaborate regularly across departments, including R&D, manufacturing, and field operations, making communication and teamwork essential. These experiences build strong foundations for advancement into leadership or specialized technical roles within the defense industry.

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

To excel as a Survivability Engineer, you need a solid background in systems engineering, materials science, and threat analysis, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Experience with modeling and simulation software (such as MATLAB or ANSYS), and familiarity with military standards or certifications in defense systems, are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set top candidates apart. These competencies are crucial because Survivability Engineers must evaluate and enhance system resilience against complex threats, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure operational effectiveness and safety.

What are popular job titles related to Survivability Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Survivability Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Survivability Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Survivability Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Survivability Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $114,871 per year, or $55.2 per hour.
Nuclear Survivability T&E Analyst

Nuclear Survivability T&E Analyst

Systems Planning and Analysis

Alexandria, VA

$77K - $101K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing results that matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of War, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of War, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

The Acquisition and Technology Analysis Group within JOID specializes in the application of multi-disciplinary analytic skills to support multiple clients within the Department of War (DoW). These clients include the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)), Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSW(A&S)), DARPA, the Joint Staff, and USINDOPACOM. SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, identifying test infrastructure, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future.

We have an upcoming need for a Nuclear Survivability T&E Analyst to provide onsite support in Alexandria, VA.

Responsibilities

SPA is seeking an experienced Senior Technical Analyst to support OSW oversight of the Nuclear Modernization Test and Evaluation program at the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC), a field agency of the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)), with a primary focus on nuclear survivability T&E infrastructure supporting all legs of the nuclear triad. The analyst will provide support to the TRMC Test Resource Modernization (TR-M) Division Chief. Assess adequacy of department T&E infrastructure, facilities, funding, and workforce for nuclear survivability testing, ground testing, and flight testing of strategic systems. Facilitate TRMC's participation in the Nuclear Modernization T&E Working Group (NM-TEWG) and other DoW nuclear survivability-related forums. Develop decision-ready material (information papers, guidance memoranda, policies, technical reports, congressional reports, annual reports, responses to media inquiries, briefings, and presentations) for senior leaders. Apply the initiative to navigate test and evaluation processes across TRMC portfolio responsibilities. Review policy, budget, and legislation for impacts on T&E and associated test infrastructure. Support nuclear survivability test and evaluation requirements definition, identify test infrastructure gaps, and identify potential solution development and investments.

Qualifications

Required:

  • 7+ years of experience in T&E infrastructure planning and execution
  • 5+ years of experience with the Defense Acquisition System
  • 5+ years of experience with nuclear weapons effects and/or strategic weapon systems at the operational and programmatic level
  • Master's degree (STEM field highly preferred)
  • Understanding of DoDI 5000.02 and the DoW acquisition/PPBE process
  • Active Secret clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI
  • Willingness for occasional travel (less than 10%)
  • Able to work fully onsite based on client needs

Desired:

  • Experience as a DoW Program Manager/Deputy Program Manager or Staff Officer
  • Project Management Professional Certification or DAWIA certification in Program Management
  • Knowledge of radiation testing for vulnerabilities of electronics
  • Understanding of nuclear weapon effects survivability of DoW mission systems
  • Familiarity with DoW or commercial-space radiation testing
Pay Range InformationAt SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $150,000.00/Yr. - USD $200,000.00/Yr.Employment Type: FULL_TIME