ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Weapons Engineer Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

KBR, Inc.

Test Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

... associated weapons, sensors, and support equipment. Imagine collaborating with some of the ... engineering offices. * Conduct research, development, test and evaluation to determine the ...

Raytheon

Principal Software Engineer - Test

Tucson, AZ

$127K - $171K/yr

TEE products are in engineering labs, in the field, and in production environments utilized for weapon system products. TEE has job opportunities across all phases of the engineering lifecycle ...

Raytheon

Principal Software Engineer - Test

Tucson, AZ

$127K - $171K/yr

TEE products are in engineering labs, in the field, and in production environments utilized for weapon system products. TEE has job opportunities across all phases of the engineering lifecycle ...

Raytheon

Principal Software Engineer - Test

Phoenix, AZ

$134K - $179K/yr

TEE products are in engineering labs, in the field, and in production environments utilized for weapon system products. TEE has job opportunities across all phases of the engineering lifecycle ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsWeapons Engineer JobsWeapons Engineer Jobs in Arizona

Weapons Engineer information

See Arizona salary details

$65.9K

$83.8K

$99.5K

How much do weapons engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapons engineer in Arizona is $83,826.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $92,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges weapons engineers face when working on multidisciplinary defense projects?

Weapons Engineers often collaborate with specialists in electronics, materials science, software, and systems engineering. One common challenge is integrating complex subsystems to ensure reliability and safety, while meeting strict military specifications. Effective communication and project management skills are essential, as projects usually involve cross-functional teams and tight deadlines. Staying updated with evolving technologies and regulations is also crucial for success in this field.

What does a weapons engineer do?

As a weapons engineer, you design test, analyze, update, and improve military weapons systems, such as missile defense systems, fighter jets, body armor, and conventional weapons. Your duties depend on the type of industry in which you work. Many weapons systems are now very complex, requiring numerous systems and parts. For example, a fighter jet involves input from aerospace engineers or guidance systems design experts and optical engineers. However, many of your responsibilities are the same across industries. You work with teams of engineers in consultation with military experts to identify weaknesses in weapons and prepare prototypes before beginning full production.

What is a weapons engineer?

Weapons engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain military weapons and defense systems. Their work involves applying principles of mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering to create advanced weaponry such as missiles, firearms, and defense technologies. Weapons engineers often collaborate with government agencies and defense contractors to ensure that their designs meet safety, reliability, and regulatory standards. They may also be involved in research and development to innovate new technologies for national security. This career requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, and adherence to strict ethical and legal guidelines.

What type of weapons engineers work on weapons?

Weapons engineers who work on weapons typically specialize in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining military or defense-related weapon systems such as firearms, missiles, or explosive devices. They often have expertise in areas like ballistics, materials science, and systems integration, and may work with tools like CAD software and testing facilities.

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

To thrive as a Weapons Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering, often supported by a relevant degree and security clearance. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and defense industry standards or certifications is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help you excel in this role. These competencies ensure the safe, innovative, and compliant development of advanced weapon systems in a highly regulated field.

What is the difference between Weapons Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectWeapons EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, specialized training in weapon systems, security clearancesBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, possibly a Professional Engineer (PE) license
Work EnvironmentDefense labs, military facilities, research centersManufacturing plants, design firms, industrial settings
Industry UsageDefense, aerospace, military technologyAutomotive, aerospace, manufacturing, energy

Weapons Engineers focus on designing, developing, and testing weapon systems within defense and military sectors, often requiring security clearances. Mechanical Engineers work across various industries, designing and analyzing mechanical systems. While both roles involve engineering principles, Weapons Engineers specialize in weaponry and defense applications, whereas Mechanical Engineers have broader applications in general machinery and product design.

More about Weapons Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Weapons Engineer jobs in Arizona? The most popular types of Weapons Engineer jobs in Arizona are:
What are popular job titles related to Weapons Engineer jobs in Arizona? For Weapons Engineer jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Weapons Engineer jobs in Arizona look for? The top searched job categories for Weapons Engineer jobs in Arizona are:
What cities in Arizona are hiring for Weapons Engineer jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Weapons Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Weapons Engineer jobs in AZ? For Weapons Engineer jobs in AZ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Weapons Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Weapons Engineer job openings in Arizona as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,826 per year, or $40.3 per hour.

Defense Systems Integration & Test Engineer

Talon Analytics

Tucson, AZ

$143K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Job Description: Defense Systems Integration & Test Engineers

Talon is a small business engineering firm providing innovative, end-to-end, rapid-turn solutions to our government and commercial clients. Founded in 2019, Talon employs over 150 Aerospace and Defense engineers and other support staff to solve complex engineering problems for a variety of applications to include aircraft, ballistics, cybersecurity, armor development, biological systems, weapon systems, and warheads. Talon has an office in Tucson, AZ that is providing high fidelity computational models/analysis and technical services support to Aerospace and Defense companies.

We are currently seeking Full-time Systems Integration & Test Engineers with Aegis Weapon System experience to join the integration and testing of cutting-edge weapon system hardware and software systems. These roles offer the opportunity to work on critical defense technology while mentoring junior engineers and contributing to real-world national security outcomes. Special consideration for integration expertise in Radars, Weapon Systems, and Vertical Launch Systems.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Perform integration of new hardware components into existing weapon test systems and support infrastructure.
  • Lead the integration, checkout, and verification of newly developed weapon systems, including both hardware and software elements.
  • Collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure smooth system-level integration and test execution.
  • Troubleshoot complex integration issues and support root cause analysis and resolution.

Required Qualifications:

  • Typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related field and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or an advanced degree with at least 7 years of experience.
  • Active and transferable Secret U.S. government security clearance is required prior to start; U.S. citizenship is mandatory.
  • Proven experience with electronic systems integration.
  • Strong familiarity with the Aegis Weapon System.
  • Demonstrated ability to tackle complex integration tasks and support multi-disciplinary engineering teams.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary and benefits package, including 401k
  • Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
  • A collaborative work culture focused on innovation and work-life balance.

Additional Details:

  • 50-75% travel is expected
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential for success in a multi-disciplinary team environment.

Apply