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Weapons Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Socket.dev

Reliability Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

The selectee will perform as the Decision Technologies Reliability Engineer for a US Navy Weapons Engineering and Program Acquisition Support contract. YOU MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR A DOD SECRET CLEARANCE ...

Decision Technologies, Inc.

Senior Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

The selectee will perform as the Decision Technologies Senior Engineer for a US Navy Weapons Engineering and Program Acquisition Support contract. Responsibilities * Provide systems engineering ...

SAIC

GNC Aerospace Engineer

Dahlgren, VA

$120K - $160K/yr

Engineering and Sciences Subcategory: Aerospace Engr Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes ... Support weapon system modeling and simulation, including 6 DOF (six degrees of freedom) simulation ...

Decision Technologies, Inc.

Senior Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

The selectee will perform as the Decision Technologies Senior Engineer for a US Navy Weapons Engineering and Program Acquisition Support contract. YOU MUST HAVE AN ACTIVE DOD SECRET CLEARANCE / TOP ...

SAIC

GNC Aerospace Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Support weapon system modeling and simulation, including 6 DOF (six degrees of freedom) simulation ... Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics ...

SAIC

GNC Aerospace Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Engineering and Sciences Subcategory: Aerospace Engr Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes ... Support weapon system modeling and simulation, including 6 DOF (six degrees of freedom) simulation ...

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All JobsWeapons Engineer JobsWeapons Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Weapons Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$66.7K

$84.9K

$100.7K

How much do weapons engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapons engineer in Virginia is $84,859.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,400.00 and $93,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 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.

Is weapons engineering a good career?

Weapons engineering is a specialized field involving the design, development, and testing of weapon systems, often requiring a background in engineering, physics, or related sciences. It typically offers high-demand skills, security clearances, and competitive salaries, but may involve working in regulated or classified environments. Career prospects depend on industry needs and government contracts, with opportunities in defense, aerospace, and research sectors.

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 backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering and may work with advanced tools like CAD software and simulation programs in secure environments.
More about Weapons Engineer jobs

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

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

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

What job categories do people searching Weapons Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Weapons Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

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Cities in Virginia with the most Weapons Engineer job openings:

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

Weapons Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Weapons Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,859 per year, or $40.8 per hour.

Weapon Systems Engineer

Decision Technologies, Inc.

Arlington, VA • On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

About Decision Technologies, Inc.
Decision Technologies was founded to help bridge the gap between Department of Defense and Federal Government acquisition programs and technology to help our customers optimize their decision-making process. Over the years, our areas of expertise have expanded to include Systems Engineering, Program Management, In-Service Engineering, Equipment Repair, Research and Development, Test and Evaluation, and Intelligence and Counterintelligence Support. Our growth and success have positioned us as a premier engineering and intelligence services provider contributing to our nation's defense.
Our company culture cultivates talented problem-solvers on focused on performance with industry-leading teamwork and responsiveness. We have established a reputation for offering superior services and solutions, proven integrity and innovation, employee engagement and development, and customer collaboration.
Bring your expertise and knowledge to our team!
We are seeking a qualified Senior-Level Weapon Systems Engineer in Arlington, VA. This position is not eligible for hybrid or remote work situations. This is a 100% on-site, in-office position.
Position Description:
The selectee will perform as the Decision Technologies Weapon Systems Engineer for a US Navy Weapons Engineering and Program Acquisition Support contract.
YOU MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR A DOD SECRET CLEARANCE
Responsibilities
• Remain current on threat information, and potential tactics for ship self-defense
• Assist in strategic and programmatic planning, including development of technology roadmaps, budget strategies, future upgrade evolutions and program infrastructure plans
• Review and provide technical comments for specifications, program plans, test plans, contractor documentation, work plans, failure diagnoses, and proposals
• Develop guidelines for documenting and managing program requirements, establishing goals and objectives, and establishment of processes and procedures to enhance overall program control and execution
• Assist in the generation of documentation, schedules, plans and other documentation required to initiate system upgrades
• Provide technical inputs, in the areas of effectiveness, risks, programmatic planning when reviewing potential avenues for countering new threats
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant technical discipline
• At least 15 years' experience performing weapon systems engineering, threat engineering, weapon performance analysis, and/or weapon capability planning and requirements development
Desired Qualifications
• Master's Degree in a relevant technical discipline
• Direct experience with systems engineering for specific Navy terminal defense systems such as RAM and CIWS.
• An active DoD SECRET clearance
• Prior SIPR account and experience using SIPR systems
• Ability to work effectively with team members and subcontractors from various technical, acquisition, and administrative disciplines
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills
• Ability to develop and deliver coherent and concise customer presentations
Travel Requirements:
• Limited travel requirements (<10%)
Compensation:
Compensation at Decision Technologies, Inc. is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements.
Employee Benefits:
  • Competitive Paid Time Off
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programs
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical, Dependent Care & Commuter)
  • Company paid Short-Term, Long-Term, Life and AD&D Insurance
  • 401(k) match
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Paid Certifications

Decision Technologies, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
The pay range for this role is:
120,000 - 150,000 USD per year (HQ)

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