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Weapons Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite -Leander, TX Type: Full-Time Eligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status Required Build the intelligence behind the ...

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone SystemsLocation: Onsite -Leander, TXType: Full-TimeEligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status RequiredBuild the intelligence behind the ...

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone SystemsLocation: Onsite -Leander, TXType: Full-TimeEligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status RequiredBuild the intelligence behind the ...

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite -Leander, TX Type: Full-Time Eligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status Required Build the intelligence behind the ...

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite -Leander, TX Type: Full-Time Eligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status Required Build the intelligence behind the ...

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite -Leander, TX Type: Full-Time Eligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status Required Build the intelligence behind the ...

Firmware Engineer

Leander, TX ยท On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite -Leander, TX Type: Full-Time Eligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status Required Build the intelligence behind the ...

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

Senior Electrical Engineer

Leander, TX ยท On-site

$102K - $133K/yr

Electrical Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone SystemsOnsite | Leander, TX Full-Time | U.S. Citizenship or ITAR Eligibility RequiredBe part of a mission-driven team redefining autonomous defense.

Senior Electrical Engineer

Leander, TX ยท On-site

$102K - $133K/yr

Electrical Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Onsite | Leander, TX Full-Time | U.S. Citizenship or ITAR Eligibility Required Be part of a mission-driven team redefining autonomous defense.

Chief CV/ML Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$250K - $350K/yr

... across weapon system variants and engagement ranges. * Personally drive the hardest and most ... Lead a small group of senior CV/ML engineers, and mentor senior and staff engineers and managers ...

Navy electrical engineers with deep experience in robotics and software, ACS brings together AI ... Our flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon system that transforms existing ...

Chief CV/ML Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$180 - $230/hr

... across weapon system variants and engagement ranges. * Personally drive the hardest and most ... Lead a small group of senior CV/ML engineers, and mentor senior and staff engineers and managers ...

Chief CV/ML Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$180 - $260/hr

... across weapon system variants and engagement ranges. * Personally drive the hardest and most ... Lead a small group of senior CV/ML engineers, and mentor senior and staff engineers and managers ...

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Weapons Engineer information

See Austin, TX salary details

$68.5K

$87.2K

$103.5K

How much do weapons engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapons engineer in Austin, TX is $87,222.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $96,000.00 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Weapons Engineer jobs in Austin, TX?

The most popular types of Weapons Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:

What are popular job titles related to Weapons Engineer jobs in Austin, TX?

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

What job categories do people searching Weapons Engineer jobs in Austin, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Weapons Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:

What cities near Austin, TX are hiring for Weapons Engineer jobs?

Cities near Austin, TX with the most Weapons Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Weapons Engineer job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,222 per year, or $41.9 per hour.

Firmware Engineer

Wild West Systems Inc.

Leander, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Firmware Engineer โ€“ Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems

Location: Onsite โ€“Leander, TX
Type: Full-Time
Eligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status Required

Build the intelligence behind the frontier of defense.
Wild West Systems designs and builds autonomous drones and munitions for America and her allies - fast, affordable, and battle-ready. As a Firmware Engineer, you'll develop embedded systems on STM32 Microcontrollers that drives our autonomous platforms: from flight control and perception to mission planning and target engagement.

If you crave ownership, speed, and tangible results, this is where firmware meets steel.

About Wild West Systems

Wild West Systems is a defense technology startup redefining autonomous edge defense through modular, AI-powered weapon systems - designed, built, and launched in the USA.

We fuse domain mastery with creativity to deliver advanced capabilities for modern asymmetric warfare. We move fast, build hard, and engineer for real-world impact.

If you're ready to build software that commands machines defending tomorrow's freedom, welcome to the frontier.

Responsibilities
  • Develop embedded systems on STM32 microcontrollers
  • Low level driver development, peripherals, communication protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, CAN) and real time systems design
  • Comfortable working in the intersection of electronics, sensors, actuators, motor control and embedded software
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
  • 3+ years of professional Firmware engineering experience.
  • Solid Mechatronics backgroundย 
  • Experience developing production-quality firmware in Rust.ย 
  • Troubleshooting hardware/software interactions
  • ITAR Eligibility: To Conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. Citizen or National, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 9 U.S.C section 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C section 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, or autonomy.
  • Familiarity with drone/UAV systems, real-time operating systems, or embedded development.
  • Experience at a high-growth startup or technology company with strong engineering practices.
  • Experience using the Embassy asynchronous embedded Framework
  • Experience taking systems from prototype through deployment

Benefits / Compensation Overviewย 

We are always looking for good people!ย  Wild West Systems is committed to providing its satisfaction and productivity.ย 

  • Bi-weekly pay schedule
  • Stock Options provided with every offerย 
  • Healthcare insurance premium paid at 100% for every employee, 90% for dependentsย 
  • Vision and Dental premium paid at 100%
  • Life Insuranceย 

Apply directly: Recruiting@wws.inc