ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Weapon System Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Parsons

Weapon System Engineer

Dahlgren, VA

$103.50K - $181.10K/yr

Parsons is looking for a Weapon Systems Engineer to join our team in Dahlgren, VA! In this role you will join the fight at an exciting time when naval surface weapons are needed as much as ever.New ...

Parsons Corporation

Weapon System Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$103.50K - $181.10K/yr

Parsons is looking for a Weapon Systems Engineer to join our team in Dahlgren, VA! In this role you will join the fight at an exciting time when naval surface weapons are needed as much as ever. New ...

ASEC

Weapons System Engineer

Patuxent River, MD · Hybrid

$110K - $130K/yr

Manage A/A weapon engineering activities, including modeling and simulation, Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) processes, and associated documentation. * Conduct capability gap analysis and ...

ASEC, Inc.

Weapons System Engineer

Patuxent River, MD · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Manage A/A weapon engineering activities, including modeling and simulation, Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) processes, and associated documentation. * Conduct capability gap analysis and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsWeapon System Engineer Jobs

Weapon System Engineer information

See salary details

$40K

$116.9K

$148K

How much do weapon system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapon system engineer in the United States is $116,935.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,000.00 and $133,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Weapon System Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Weapon System Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree and sometimes security clearance. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and defense industry standards like MIL-STD is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure the safe, reliable, and innovative development of defense systems that meet stringent regulatory and operational requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by Weapon System Engineers when integrating new technologies into existing defense platforms?

Weapon System Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating cutting-edge technologies with legacy defense systems. These challenges can include ensuring compatibility with existing hardware and software, adhering to strict safety and security protocols, and meeting rigorous testing and validation standards. Additionally, coordination with multidisciplinary teams—including software developers, electronics specialists, and project managers—is essential to address integration issues and maintain system reliability. Staying updated on industry standards and regulatory requirements also plays a crucial role in successful technology integration.

What is a Weapon System Engineer?

A Weapon System Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, tests, and maintains weapon systems for military or defense applications. They work on integrating various components such as electronics, software, and mechanical parts to ensure the weapon system functions effectively and safely. Their responsibilities often include system analysis, risk assessment, and ensuring compliance with safety and government regulations. Weapon System Engineers collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams and may also be involved in field testing and troubleshooting.

What is the difference between Weapon System Engineer vs Systems Engineer?

AspectWeapon System EngineerSystems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, often with defense or military clearanceBachelor's or higher in Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentDefense contractors, military facilities, aerospace companiesTechnology firms, manufacturing, aerospace, various industries
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily defense and military sectorsBroad industry application including tech, aerospace, manufacturing
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding specialized defense rolesGeneral engineering roles and responsibilities

While both roles involve engineering expertise, Weapon System Engineers focus on designing and integrating military weapon systems, often requiring security clearances and defense industry experience. Systems Engineers have a broader scope, working on complex systems across various industries. The key difference lies in the specialization towards defense and military applications for Weapon System Engineers.

More about Weapon System Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Weapon System Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Weapon System Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Weapon System Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Weapon System Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Weapon System Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Weapon System Engineer jobs are:
Weapon System Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Weapon System Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 92% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 30% Physical, and 70% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $116,935 per year, or $56.2 per hour.
Weapon System Engineer

Weapon System Engineer

Parsons

Dahlgren, VA

$103.50K - $181.10K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Parsons rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

155th of 350 rated engineering

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what's possible.

Job Description:

Parsons is looking for a Weapon Systems Engineer to join our team in Dahlgren, VA! In this role you will join the fight at an exciting time when naval surface weapons are needed as much as ever.New and emerging threats continue to present challenges that we meet with novel approaches to combat adapting enemy tactics.At Dahlgren, we are working to bring new technology to the Warfighter, continuously improve system performance, and ensure the US Navy maintains the solutions required for ship self-defense while bringing the means to project force.

Project Background

Parsons is providing support to the Gun Weapon System (GWS) program, specifically within the MK 160 Gun Computer System (GCS). This USN Program of Record provides the fire control solution and gun mount control to accurately aim and fire the naval surface guns aboard multiple classes of ships in the fleet. GWS with GCS is integrated as a certified element of the AEGIS Combat System. Our system engineers bring critical skills to support the development, test, integration, and deployment of in-service systems.

* Work is on-site at NSWC Dahlgren in King George, VA.*

What you will be doing:

  • Technical leadership for a team of engineers, software developers, and testers
  • Develop new or modified system requirements
  • Provide acceptance criteria for developer testing, acceptance testing, and integration testing
  • Develop system requirements and designs for weapon systems or fire control systems including:
    • System Architecture designs/models
    • System Interface Specifications
    • System Requirements Documents
    • Software Requirements Specifications
  • Conduct system-of-system integration testing
    • Integrate with live combat system and other elements
    • Identify requirements deficiencies
    • Support the IV&V team's test procedure development

What required experience you bring:

  • B.S. STEM related degree (or higher)
  • 8+ Years of System Engineering Experience
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance
  • Experience working in cross product System Engineering Working Groups and contributing to System Engineering Technical Reviews

What desired experience you bring:

  • Prior USN (military or civilian) experience desired
  • Familiarity with USN CONOPS
  • Experience with AEGIS combat system interfaces, or similar SoS weapons systems desired
  • Experience working with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence)

Security Clearance Requirement:

A security clearance is not required to apply; however, the selected candidate must be able to obtain a Secret clearance which requires U.S. citizenship, prior to the start date.This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what's next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.Salary Range: $103,500.00 - $181,100.00We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee's wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest-APPLY TODAY!

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer tohttps://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.

What Parsons employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply