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Weapons Engineer Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Title: Test Engineer Belong, Connect, Grow, with KBR! Program Summary KBR's Defense Systems ... associated weapons, sensors, and support equipment. Imagine collaborating with some of the ...

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Weapons Engineer information

See Arizona salary details

$65.9K

$83.8K

$99.5K

How much do weapons engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 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 are weapons engineers and what do they do?

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 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.

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 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:
Infographic showing various Weapons Engineer job openings in Arizona as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,826 per year, or $40.3 per hour.
Senior Principal DeepStrike-Sensor Fuzed Weapon Execution Chief Engineer (Onsite)

Senior Principal DeepStrike-Sensor Fuzed Weapon Execution Chief Engineer (Onsite)

Raytheon

Tucson, AZ

$118K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


Raytheon rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 97 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 528 rated manufacturers


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-03-24

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON-M09 ~ 3350 E Hemisphere Loop ~ BLDG M09

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

At RTX, the world largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.
Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

This position is for the DeepStrike-Sensor Fuzed Weapon Execution Chief Engineer Role within the Precision Fire & Maneuver Systems SSBU that is part of the Land & Air Defense Systems (LADS) SBU of Raytheon. The Chief Engineer (CE) is the key technical executive responsible for overseeing the technical baseline and ensuring the successful execution of program technical objectives. Drawing from a varied background, CEs typically have significant experience as subject matter experts, Integrated Product Team Leads, Cross Product Team Leads, or Lead Systems Engineers. In this role, you will bring a wealth of knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines to develop new weapon systems, transition them to production, and manufacture these products. You will lead large teams and manage both technical and financial responsibilities. As technical leaders, Chief Engineers work closely with program management to deliver on contracted program goals, ensuring the highest level of engineering performance and innovation.

At Raytheon Engineering, Chief Engineers play a vital role in solving some of the industry's most complex challenges to create a safer world. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, they design and deliver cutting-edge, end-to-end solutions that detect, track, engage, and neutralize threats. With a focus on technical execution throughout a program's lifecycle, Chief Engineers lead the charge in driving the technical direction of programs, leveraging their expertise to navigate complex engineering processes and deliver exceptional results. By connecting vision with precision, they contribute to the advancement of industry-leading defense and aerospace solutions. This is an onsite role in Tucson, AZ.

What You Will Do

  • Establish and manage a product vision, strategy, and goals to align with multiple Programs/Customers and facilitate conflict resolution.
  • Ensure technical integrity and engineering execution across the IPT and other functions to meet and/or exceed cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
  • Primary technical point of contact with senior customer counterparts, internal senior program management and engineering leadership.
  • Support the capture of new business and influence technical and product line roadmaps, ensuring they are reflected in program planning and execution
  • Plan out and lead the incremental break-in of upgrades and system improvements
  • Drive positive change within the production environment as a key stakeholder in Failure Review Boards, FRACAS activities and other continuous improvement efforts
  • Technically engage with major subcontractors and partners to ensure product deliverables
  • Direct a team of multi-disciplined engineers in support of missile development
  • Provide technical advisory disposition for Export / Import (EXIM) compliance.

 

Qualifications You Must Have

  • Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) and a minimum 10 years of prior relevant experience.

  • Technical leadership experience (such as Chief Engineer, Engineering Lead, or Technical Director), working on Effectors or Missiles.

  • Experience with leading and conducting missile trade studies, missile system development and design, missile systems requirements development and management, or missile system integration and test.

  • Experience developing work plans, driving execution, and managing resources with multi-million-dollar annual budgets.

  • Experience in strategic development, customer interface, or contract capture in the Defense Industry.

  • Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer

  • Technical leadership experience (such as Chief Engineer or Technical Director) and including experience across the development and production lifecycle

  • Excellent communication, technical writing, oral presentation, and interpersonal skills

  • Experience in leading and executing the design and development of complex system architectures

  • Demonstrated experience across the product lifecycle, including concept development, architecture, design, integration, verification, and production

  • Demonstrated experience and ability to interact with and influence Department of Defense (DoD), and/or commercial and non-traditional customer sets

  • Proven ability to develop effective internal and external customer relationships to ensure customer satisfaction and continued business

  • Direct experience with Engineering Risks and Opportunities (R&O) Management

  • Demonstrated experience with globally distributed engineering execution organizations (CONUS and OCONUS)

  • Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or related discipline

  • CE Level 4 certification

What We Offer

  • Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

  • Relocation Eligible – Relocation assistance is available.

Learn More & Apply Now!

  • Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role. Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

  • This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm 

  • Tucson, AZ: Raytheon Tucson, AZ Location

  • We Are RTX

#LI-Onsite

#LI-HS30

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 132,400 USD - 251,600 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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