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Weapons Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Fire Protection Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$71K - $96K/yr

Bechtel is the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partner on the Northrop Grumman ... chemical weapons demilitarization projects, missile-defense, infrastructure, base operations ...

Engineering Duty Officer

Murfreesboro, TN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

Engineering Duty Officer

Memphis, TN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

Engineering Duty Officer

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... Leading the design of new ships and their systems while supervising the integration of weapons and ...

Showing results 21-40

Weapons Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$62.7K

$79.8K

$94.8K

How much do weapons engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapons engineer in Tennessee is $79,850.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,900.00 and $87,900.00 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Weapons Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Weapons Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Weapons Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

For Weapons Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Weapons Engineer jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Weapons Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Weapons Engineer jobs in TN?

For Weapons Engineer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Weapons Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $79,850 per year, or $38.4 per hour.

Lead Power Systems Engineer - Directed Energy (Engineer Electrical 4) - 28908

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Knoxville, TN • On-site

$100K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


Huntington Ingalls Industries rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,399 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Requisition Number: 28908
Required Travel: 0 - 10%
Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Anticipated Salary Range: $100,696.00 - $155,000.00
Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain
Level of Experience: Mid
This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII's Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems.
HII works within our nation's intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U.S. military and federal agency partners.
Leadership Mindset at HII - Mission Technologies
Leadership at HII is a mindset, not a title. Through our Leadership Capability Framework, we define how every team member contributes to our mission and culture:
  • Know & Grow Your People - Commit to learning and supporting team success.
  • Build Relationships - Communicate openly, collaborate well, and build trust.
  • Take Ownership - Deliver on commitments and take pride in your work.
  • Customer First - Focus on the mission and those we serve.
  • Shape the Future - Bring ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
  • Act with Urgency - Take initiative and follow through with purpose.

These capabilities guide how all employees contribute to our shared success across Mission Technologies.
Job Description
Mission Technologies, a division of HII, is hiring a Lead Power Systems Engineer supporting operations at our Knoxville, TN location.
The Lead Engineer will lead and direct the assembly, integration, testing, and troubleshooting of highpower Power and Energy Systems (PES) used in modular microgrids and advanced load applications, including directed energy weapon systems. This role ensures that complex system designs translate into safe, functional, and productionready hardware while mentoring junior engineers and establishing technical standards across the program.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Lead end-to-end integration of complex PES power systems, overseeing hardware assembly, rack and container integration, MOSA-based architectures, and safe HV/LV bring-up. Develop and execute system- and component-level test strategies, operate advanced power test equipment, and run FATs, fault-insertion, and verification campaigns. Drive expert troubleshooting and structured root-cause analysis, manage documentation and configuration control, and provide technical feedback to improve design robustness. Enforce high-voltage safety, ensure compliance with military and industrial standards, and lead hazard analyses. Provide technical leadership across projects, interface with programs and customers, mentor engineers, drive continuous improvement, and support proposal development.
Minimum Qualifications
  • 9 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 7 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; or 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field.
  • Significant experience with high-power electrical systems (25 kW+, ideally 100 kW+).
  • Strong knowledge of:
    • Power converters (rectifiers, inverters, bidirectional DC-DC, AFE)
    • Energy storage systems (Li-ion, supercapacitors) and BMS integration
    • Protection and switching devices (contactors, solid-state switches, fuses, breakers)
    • Power quality, harmonics, and EMI/EMC
  • Proficient with electrical test equipment (DMMs, oscilloscopes, power analyzers, DAQs, thermal cameras).
  • Skilled in creating, interpreting, and approving schematics, wiring diagrams, one-lines, and P&IDs.
  • Experienced in system integration, testing, and troubleshooting.
  • Strong customer-facing skills and experience leading technical reviews.
  • Proven ability to mentor junior engineers.
  • Experienced in supporting proposals with technical input and cost/schedule estimates.
  • Able to obtain and maintain a US Secret clearance.

Preferred Requirements
  • Experience with directed energy systems (high-power lasers, HPM, railguns) or pulsed power applications.
  • Experience with military microgrids, shipboard power systems, or mobile power generation.
  • Familiarity with MOSA (Modular Open Systems Approach) implementation in hardware systems.
  • Knowledge of MIL-STD-1399, MIL-STD-461, NFPA 70E, IEEE 1547, UL 1741, and related standards.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification.
  • Experience leading proposals and providing technical cost/schedule estimates.
  • Track record of establishing technical standards and best practices across programs.
  • Active US Secret clearance minimally.

Physical Requirements
Office, industrial or shipboard environment. Capable of climbing ladders and tolerating confined spaces and extreme temperature variances. Lifting and moving of materials not to exceed the guidelines set for one man lift.
The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.
Meet HII's Mission Technologies Division
Our team of more than 7,000 professionals worldwide delivers all-domain expertise and advanced technologies in service of mission partners across the globe. Mission Technologies is leading the next evolution of national defense - the data evolution - by accelerating a breadth of national security solutions for government and commercial customers. Our capabilities range from C5ISR, AI and Big Data, cyber operations and synthetic training environments to fleet sustainment, environmental remediation and the largest family of unmanned underwater vehicles in every class. Find the role that's right for you. Apply today. We look forward to meeting you.
To learn more about Mission Technologies, click here for a short video: https://vimeo.com/732533072
HII is more than a job - it's an opportunity to build a new future. We offer competitive benefits such as best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships. Bonus/other non-recurrent compensation is occasionally offered for qualified positions, and if applicable to this role will be addressed by the recruiter at the screening phase of application.
Why HII
We build the world's most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America's top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you'll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.

Working at Huntington Ingalls Industries

About Huntington Ingalls Industries, in their own words

From Huntington Ingalls Industries

Our 44,000-strong team includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence and machine learning experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals. Recognized as one of America's top large employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Here you'll find a collaborative environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs that span our shipbuilding apprentice schools in Virginia and Mississippi to tuition reimbursement programs that support continual career growth at every stage of your career.

Our values of integrity, safety, respect, engagement, responsibility and performance are the foundation of HII's ethical culture that inspires employees to do the right thing each day, regardless of the circumstances.


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