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Weapon Engineering Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

In addition, ten (10) years professional systems engineering experience with a DoD major strategic, platform, weapon, combat, Command and Control (C2), cyber, and/or fire control systems program ...

Optical Engineer

Virginia, IL ยท On-site

$78 - $176/hr

Knowledge of practical problems associated with the design, building, integration, and testing of laser weapons systems* Master's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Virginia, IL ยท On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Ten years professional systems engineering experience with a DoD major strategic, platform, weapon, combat, Command and Control (C2), and/or fire control systems program, with five years' concurrent ...

New

Sr C/C++ Software Developer

Virginia, IL ยท On-site

$110 - $190/hr

We are looking for individuals to join our team atmosphere who are eager to make a difference by solving complex Digital Engineering challenges. Apply your skills to the latest DoW weapons and sensor ...

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Showing results 1-20

Weapon Engineering information

See Illinois salary details

$83.8K

$117.6K

$160.4K

How much do weapon engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapon engineering in Illinois is $117,618.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,200.00 and $128,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is weapon engineering?

Weapon engineering is a specialized field of engineering focused on the design, development, testing, and maintenance of weapons and defense systems. This discipline combines principles from mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering to create technologies for military and security applications. Weapon engineers work on a wide range of projects, including firearms, explosives, missiles, and advanced defense technologies. They ensure these systems are effective, reliable, and safe to use in various operational environments.

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 an engineering degree and relevant security clearances. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and defense industry standards, as well as certifications like Professional Engineer (PE), are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications ensure the safe, innovative, and precise development of advanced weapon systems under strict regulatory and safety standards.

What are some common challenges faced by weapon engineering professionals in a collaborative team environment?

Weapon engineering professionals often work in multidisciplinary teams that include mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, as well as project managers and defense specialists. A common challenge is ensuring seamless communication and integration across these diverse areas to meet strict safety, performance, and regulatory standards. Balancing innovation with compliance, adhering to tight project timelines, and maintaining confidentiality are also key aspects of the role. Successful professionals develop strong collaboration and problem-solving skills to navigate these complexities and deliver reliable, effective weapon systems.

What is the difference between Weapon Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectWeapon EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Electrical, or Weapon Systems Engineering; possibly security clearancesBachelor's or higher in Mechanical Engineering; professional licensure often preferred
Work EnvironmentDefense labs, military facilities, manufacturing plantsFactories, design firms, research labs
Industry UsageMilitary, defense contractors, aerospaceAutomotive, aerospace, manufacturing, energy

Weapon Engineering focuses on designing, developing, and testing weapon systems, often within defense and military contexts. Mechanical Engineering has a broader scope, involving the design and analysis of mechanical systems across various industries. While both roles require strong engineering fundamentals, Weapon Engineering emphasizes specialized knowledge of weapon systems and security clearances, whereas Mechanical Engineering offers more diverse career paths.

Is weapon engineering a good career?

Weapon engineering is a specialized field involving the design, development, and testing of weapon systems, often requiring a background in engineering, physics, or related sciences. It typically involves working in secure environments with strict safety and security protocols, and may require security clearances and certifications. The career offers opportunities in defense, aerospace, and government sectors, with a focus on technical skills and problem-solving.

What does a weapon engineer do?

A weapon engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains weapon systems, including firearms, missiles, and other military or defense-related equipment. They often work with specialized tools, computer-aided design (CAD) software, and adhere to strict safety and regulatory standards. Their role may also involve analyzing performance data and improving weapon efficiency and safety.

What job categories do people searching Weapon Engineering jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Weapon Engineering jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Weapon Engineering jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Weapon Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Weapon Engineering job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $117,618 per year, or $56.5 per hour.

Senior Naval System Security Engineer

Amentum

Virginia, IL โ€ข On-site

$140 - $225/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Amentum is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Naval System Security Engineer with a background in Navy surface major weapons, combat, and/or fire control systems to assist our customer with systems, technical, and security engineering methodologies and services.

Senior Naval System Security Engineer Essential Responsibilities:
  • Providing expertise with the development, integration, and management of complex Naval surface weapons/combat defense systems.
  • Providing system design/system integration documents for weapons control systems and surface combat, control and/or situational awareness systems.
  • Designing and implementing systems security engineering measures and techniques that prevent or delay unauthorized access to critical technologies.
  • Integrating hardware and software protection into major weapons, combat, and/or fire control systems to deter exploitation.
  • Developing Program Protection Plans (PPP) and other security related documentation.
  • Performing requirements derivation, allocation, and management for a weapon control system and external interfaces.
  • Coordinating the impacts of proposed system changes with internal and external organizations, and system stakeholders.
Minimum Requirements:
  • A Bachelorโ€™s of Science (BS) degree from an accredited college or university in an engineering, scientific, or technical discipline, or ten (10) years of a demonstrated and established knowledge base and subject matter expertise relevant to specific technical disciplines of the SOW.
  • In addition, ten (10) years professional systems engineering experience with a DoD major strategic, platform, weapon, combat, Command and Control (C2), cyber, and/or fire control systems program, with five yearsโ€™ concurrent experience as a team leader performing system engineering and mission engineering efforts that include developing requirements and top-level designs and/or system architectures for software intensive systems. This includes experience related to the identification, analysis and resolution of complex systems engineering issues involving platforms, weapon, combat, C2, cyber situational awareness, and fire control systems for Navy and Joint warfighting capabilities.
  • Ten (10) years of professional experience required for Senior System Engineer/Analyst, eight (8) years specialized demonstrated expertise in total life cycle system development and analysis, supporting achievement of milestone decisions and concept of operations and initial design development from upper-level requirements. Experience dealing with issues for a system employing Government Off-The-Shelf software (GOTS) and Commercial Off-The-Shelf software (COTS) technology. Demonstrated experience developing system integration documents for weapons systems, weapons control systems, and/or combat systems.
  • Demonstrated experience with strategic, weapon, and/or combat system certification processes and requirements, specifically self-certification criteria for elements of these systems.
  • Must have an Active SECRET U.S. Government Clearance. Note: U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain a SECRET Clearance.
Preferred Experience:
  • Systems security engineering (SSE) measures and techniques experience.
  • DoDI 5000.02, DoDI 5000.83, DoDI 5200.39, DoDI 5200.44, and DoDI 5200.47E experience.
  • Developed and implemented a verified and validated System Security Engineering (SSE) solution.
  • Developed and executed a successful verification and validation SSE event.
  • Security+, or similar certification.
Compensation Details:

US: $140,000 to $225,000

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
  • Educational reimbursement
  • Parental leave
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Tax-saving options
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting:

08/28/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.

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