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Weapon Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

What if you could use your engineering skills to transform the U.S. Navy's directed energy portfolio? As a Laser Weapon System Test Engineer and Scientist, you understand the power behind complex ...

KBR

Operational Space Weapon Systems SME

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$68K - $92K/yr

Operational Space Weapon Systems SME KBR is seeking an Operational Space Weapon Systems Subject ... Bachelor's degree in engineering, systems engineering, physics, operations research, or closely ...

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Weapon Engineering information

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$86.5K

$121.4K

$165.5K

How much do weapon engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapon engineering in the United States is $121,377.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $132,500.00 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.

More about Weapon Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Weapon Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Weapon Engineering job openings:
What states have the most Weapon Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Weapon Engineering jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Weapon Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Weapon Engineering jobs are:
Weapon Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Weapon Engineering job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,377 per year, or $58.4 per hour.
Weapons Data Analyst

Weapons Data Analyst

Strategic Management Solutions, LLC.

Los Alamos, NM • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Strategic Management Solutions, LLC (SMSI) provides expert management consulting, program and project management, and technical consulting services to government and private sector clients. SMSI has grown and evolved by building an outstanding reputation for client-focused performance and for delivering results that enable clients to meet commitments and milestones.
 
SMSI is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Job Summary:
SMSI, LLC is seeking a full-time Weapons Subject Matter Expert with data analyst experience for the Gas Transfer / Surveillance Systems to assist our Nuclear Safety and Weapons team onsite at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in Los Alamos, NM.
The Gas Transfer Systems Group (Q-7) is responsible for design, development, production liaison, surveillance, and stewardship of all gas transfer systems (GTS) for LANL nuclear packages in the US nuclear weapon stockpile. While supporting the enduring stockpile, the group also supports the research and development of next generation GTS technology in support of future weapon systems.
The group is a programmatic tenant in two R amp;D facilities at LANL: The Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF), and a high-pressure gas transfer system radiological laboratory. At WETF, the group has a diverse array of responsibilities including tritium storage and recycling technologies, legacy item recycling and disposal, high pressure tritium operations, and GTS function testing. The team maintains calorimetry and gas mass spectrometric capabilities that support tritium accountability and the GTS development program as well as diverse programs across LANL. At the high-pressure radiological laboratory, the team supports design agency (DA) and production agency (PA) missions for all LANL weapon systems, including valve and actuator surveillance for both LANL and SNL systems. The lab is a highly active hands-on lab, specializing in gas pressure systems (cleaning, purging, filling, bursting, etc.) and related diagnostics. Supporting equipment includes gloveboxes, fume hood, high pressure compressors, lathes, mills, wire EDMs, thermal chambers, etc. Emphasis is on the delivery of programmatic objectives via excellence in personnel safety, security, compliance, and programmatic hardware reliability and availability.
Responsibilities:
  • The qualified candidate will provide data support to manufacturing and engineering, helping to drive data driven decision making in fulfillment of gas transfer mission objectives.
  • The candidate will develop technical knowledge of gas transfer system engineering practices in support of data validation and verification of manufacturing approaches.
  • Develop new methods, techniques, capabilities, to address reporting and analyses of key criteria to enable production objectives.
  • Coordinate with personnel to serve production issues.
  • Provide support to multiple technical projects.
  • Research, develop, review, and comprehend historical technical procedures as needed.
  • Adhere to the requirements for working in facilities with radioactive hazards, including a Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility.
Requirements:
  • 10-15 years of experience is required.
  • Experience working with DOE and weapons is required.
  • Ability to recognize technical problems and apply data analysis to generate root causes and recommend suitable solutions.
  • Ability to effectively document and communicate results in a technical manner.
  • Keen attention to detail is required, as this person will use decades of data to forecast future predictions.
  • The candidate must demonstrate familiarity with manufacturing and measurement techniques and process control limits.
  • The position requires background and pre-employment drug screening for drug-free workplace.
  • This person must be able to work onsite at LANL during regular business hours 4-5 days per week.
  • The candidate must be US Citizen.
  • The candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.
  • The candidate must have an active Real ID diver's license for badging and onboarding.
Preferred Skills:
  • Someone with experience working for LANL in weapons area is highly preferred.
  • A recently retired LANL employee with weapons experience as a scientist or engineer would be ideal.
  • Active or recently inactive Q clearance preferred.
Educational Requirements:
  • Position requires a bachelor’s degree in related field and 10-15 years of experience.
  • PhD or advanced certifications are a plus.
Physical Requirements:
  • Must be able to work onsite at LANL 4-5 days per week.

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