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Weapon Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

The selectee will perform as the Decision Technologies Senior Engineer for a US Navy Weapons Engineering and Program Acquisition Support contract. Responsibilities * Provide systems engineering ...

Reliability Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

The selectee will perform as the Decision Technologies Reliability Engineer for a US Navy Weapons Engineering and Program Acquisition Support contract. YOU MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR A DOD SECRET CLEARANCE ...

CDG boasts a multidisciplinary team of engineers performing research, development, and analysis and test for developmental weapon programs. The Weapons/Munitions Systems Engineer provides technical ...

Showing results 41-60

Weapon Engineer information

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$44K

$106.4K

$173.5K

How much do weapon engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapon engineer in the United States is $106,386.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,000.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do weapon engineers make?

Weapon engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Advanced skills in engineering, security clearances, and familiarity with defense systems can lead to higher compensation.

What are some common challenges faced by weapon engineers when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams?

Weapon Engineers frequently work alongside professionals from fields such as electronics, software, and mechanical engineering. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication across these disciplines, as each may use different technical languages and design approaches. Successfully integrating various subsystems into a cohesive weapon system also requires strong project management and adaptability to evolving defense requirements. Building strong relationships and maintaining open, solution-focused dialogue with team members are key to overcoming these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a weapon engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Weapon Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and adherence to defense industry standards and certifications such as ITAR compliance are commonly required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help individuals excel in designing and testing complex weapon systems. These skills ensure the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of weapons, which are critical for national security and defense objectives.

What does a weapon engineer do?

A Weapon Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, tests, and maintains weapons systems and related technology. They work on a wide range of projects, including firearms, missiles, explosives, and defense systems, ensuring that these weapons are safe, effective, and reliable. Weapon Engineers may also be involved in research, improving existing technologies, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. They often collaborate with other engineers, military personnel, and government agencies to meet specific defense requirements.

What is the difference between Weapon Engineer vs Armament Specialist?

AspectWeapon EngineerArmament Specialist
CredentialsEngineering degree, security clearancesTechnical certifications, security clearances
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilitiesField operations, testing sites
Industry UsageDefense contractors, militaryMilitary units, defense agencies

Weapon Engineers focus on designing, developing, and testing weapons systems, often working in labs or manufacturing. Armament Specialists typically handle the deployment, maintenance, and operational support of weapons in the field. While both roles require technical knowledge and security clearances, Weapon Engineers are more involved in the creation process, whereas Armament Specialists focus on operational use and support.

More about Weapon Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Weapon Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Weapon Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Weapon Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Weapon Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Weapon Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,386 per year, or $51.1 per hour.

Principal Systems Engineer, Weapon System Integration

V2X

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


V2X rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 449 rated engineering


Job description

Overview
Working across the globe, V2X builds smart solutions designed to integrate physical and digital infrastructure from base to battlefield. We bring 120 years of successful mission support to improve security, streamline logistics, and enhance readiness. Aligned around a shared purpose, our $3.9B company and 16,000 people work alongside our clients, here and abroad, to tackle their most complex challenges with integrity, respect, responsibility, and professionalism.
V2X is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to join our Systems Engineering team in Indianapolis, IN, supporting programs in next-generation avionics and weapon system integration. Our Indianapolis facility supports a variety of product lines serving multiple DoD customers providing the opportunity to work on a diverse set of programs and roles supporting the continued advancement of your career.
Responsibilities
The ideal candidate embraces modern development processes and techniques that improve product quality & team productivity and has experience developing and integrating advanced systems including situational awareness displays, mission computers, avionics, sensors, mission equipment, and radar systems. We are looking for engineers that enjoy a challenge and have a passion to support our DoD customers and international allies.
The Principal Systems Engineer provides technical and programmatic leadership throughout the development life cycle, from concept development, requirements definition, functional analysis, design review support, system implementation, integration, verification, and validation. The Principal Systems will work within a cross-functional Integrated Product Team (IPT), where strong communication and team building skills are critical to success.
Qualifications
Required Skills:
  • At least twelve (12) years of related engineering experience in systems, software, or hardware engineering.
  • Experience with design, integration, and certification of embedded hardware and software subsystems, transitioning products.
  • Experience with Agile software development methodologies
  • Knowledge and experience working with digital data standards such as: MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760, Radio Frequency (RF) communication, and ENET protocols.
  • Experience providing leadership, technical direction, and guidance to large multi-discipline teams.
  • Experience leading all systems engineering tasks and cross-product activities across the program.
  • Ability to take ownership of the engineering scope within the program and drive the necessary tasks to ultimately ensure the cross-function team meets the technical
    requirements.
  • Experience developing technical baselines (requirements/architecture); leading development teams; and developing and reviewing Engineering Change Requests.
  • Experience leading Trade Studies, performing Risk and Opportunity analyses, and tracking and mitigating risks.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to effectively communicate to internal and external stakeholders including leading both internal and customer design reviews.
  • In-depth understanding of the System Engineering Lifecycle and processes.
  • Experience mentoring engineers of all grade levels.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance.

Desired Skills:
  • Experience with weapon systems, military avionic systems, and aircraft integration programs
  • Experience with circuit card, controls systems, and/or component design for weapon systems.
  • Comprehensive understanding the Universal Armament Interface (UAI) interface
  • Experience with Mission Store and/or Carriage System (Type I and Type II) development including design criteria standards (ex. MIL-STD-8591, MIL-STD-2088B)
  • Experience with the design and development of weapon safety critical functions
  • Direct experience working with government customers including the US Army, US Navy, USMC and/or USAF.
  • Experience working the front end of the business, creating/reviewing RFPs, SOWs, BOEs, technical volumes, proposals, cost, and schedule estimates.
  • Project management experience including cost, schedule, supplier management, risk, and opportunity assessment.

Education / Certifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related STEM discipline.

At V2X, we are deeply committed to both equal employment opportunity, including protection for Veterans and individuals with disabilities, and fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We ensure all individuals are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, recognizing the strength that comes from a workforce rich in diverse experiences, perspectives, and skills. This commitment, aligned with our core Vision and Values of Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility, allows us to leverage differences, encourage innovation, and expand our success in the global marketplace, ultimately enabling us to best serve our clients.
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About V2X

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1945