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Weapon System Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Heico

STE - System Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) missions. STE's products ... The System Engineer will contribute to the development, design, and delivery of STE's industry ...

HEICO

STE - System Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) missions. STE's products ... The System Engineer will contribute to the development, design, and delivery of STE's industry ...

HEICO

STE - System Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) missions. STE's products ... The System Engineer will contribute to the development, design, and delivery of STE's industry ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsWeapon System Engineer JobsWeapon System Engineer Jobs in California

Weapon System Engineer information

See California salary details

$39.5K

$115.4K

$146.1K

How much do weapon system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapon system engineer in California is $115,404.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,600.00 and $131,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

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 popular job titles related to Weapon System Engineer jobs in California?

For Weapon System Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Weapon System Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Weapon System Engineer jobs in California are:

Weapon System Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Weapon System Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,404 per year, or $55.5 per hour.

Staff Systems Engineer, Advanced Effects, Active Clearance

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

$191K - $253K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,298 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.
ABOUT THE TEAM
We are working on cutting-edge autonomous airpower systems that need to operate in the most demanding environments. To support our development and deployment tasks, we are building a Model-Based Systems Engineering team to guide Digital Engineering strategy and complement our Modeling and Simulation, Product Engineering, and Business Development teams. This team will provide Model Based Systems Engineering artifacts which will be used in support of product development, delivery, and sustainment of advanced kinetic and non-kinetic effects and related systems.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
    • You will be a systems engineer who interfaces with stakeholders including internal programs and external customers
    • You will develop artifacts based on stakeholder needs and work closely with functional areas to ensure artifacts are complete and accurate. Model Artifacts will often be contractual deliverables and require demonstration at stakeholder meetings and events
    • This role will be critical proving that Anduril offers real Systems Engineering and Mission Systems Integration capabilities
    • Participate in the development of our Digital and Systems Engineering Strategy and Implementation
    • Develop a deep understanding of transformational value of Anduril platforms, autonomy, simulation, and perception products through the creation and maintenance of systems engineering artifacts

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
    • B.S. in aerospace, mechanical, computer science or similar engineering or technical field
    • 12+ years Systems Engineering Experience across the life cycle. The more, the better
    • Understanding of aerodynamics and propulsion principles as applied to missile systems
    • Familiarity with guidance, navigation, and control systems for precision-guided munitions
    • Basic knowledge of reliability engineering concepts and practices
    • Experience with systems testing and evaluation methodologies
    • Understanding of threat analysis and its role in weapon system design
    • Exposure to weapon systems integration processes and challenges
    • Experience with Systems Engineering, Requirements Elicitation and Management, Integration, and Test Activities on complex systems - DoD Weapon Systems, Space Systems, etc...
    • Experience with SysML, DoDAF, UAFP, or similar
    • Experience developing various model based system engineering artifacts - Operational Viewpoints, System Viewpoints, activity diagrams, use case diagrams, BDDs, IBDs, parametric diagrams, etc...
    • Experience with Cameo MagicDraw or similar systems engineering software (Rhapsody, SparxEA, etc...)
    • Experience with Digital Engineering workflows and Integrated Modeling Environments (i.e. Teamwork Cloud)
    • Outstanding communication skills to include presentation of developed artifacts
    • Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
    • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
    • Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or propulsion system modeling
    • Familiarity with control system design and implementation for guided weapons
    • Knowledge of reliability prediction techniques and failure mode analysis
    • Experience with test planning, execution, and data analysis for complex systems
    • Mission Modeling experience. For example, working knowledge of OCA/DCA, ISR, SEAD/DEAD, Electronic Attack, or Integrated Fire Control missions
    • Experience Cameo Simulation Toolkit plugin for Cameo MagicDraw
    • Proficiency with Mathworks products (MATLAB, SIMULINK etc.)
    • INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) Certification

US Salary Range
$191,000-$253,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Benefits
At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams
Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.
To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind:
  • No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
  • Please always verify communications:
    • Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
    • Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com.
  • Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
  • What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com. Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.

Data Privacy
To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.
By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

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About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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