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Weapons Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Specter Aerospace

Operations Analysis Engineer I/II

Peabody, MA · On-site

$77K - $104K/yr

Conduct survivability assessments of novel, high-speed weapon systems to support on-going programs ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, Computer Science, Physics, or other related discipline * 0 ...

Draper

GNC Systems Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

The Hypersonic and Advanced Weapons group at Draper is seeking a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer to work within and lead multi-disciplinary teams to design next ...

Draper

GNC Systems Engineer

Cambridge, MA

The Hypersonic and Advanced Weapons group at Draper is seeking a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer to work within and lead multi-disciplinary teams to design next ...

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All JobsWeapons Engineer JobsWeapons Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

Weapons Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$75.3K

$95.9K

$113.8K

How much do weapons engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapons engineer in Boston, MA is $95,864.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,300.00 and $105,600.00 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.
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The top searched job categories for Weapons Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:

Weapons Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Weapons Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,864 per year, or $46.1 per hour.

Operations Analysis Engineer III/IV

Specter Aerospace

Peabody, MA • On-site

$77K - $104K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Specter Aerospace is seeking an Operations Analysis Engineer III-IV to support the design and analysis of high-speed airbreathing testbed vehicles. A successful candidate will have prior experience conducting survivability and performance assessments of weapon systems, to include engagement and mission level simulations. 


About Specter Aerospace 

Specter Aerospace is building the next generation of hypersonic vehicles for U.S. Forces and Allies. Specter is headquartered just north of Boston in Peabody, MA where it leverages its advanced propulsion technologies, manufacturing, and testing capabilities to rapidly develop supersonic and hypersonic systems. Funded by a mix of government R&D organizations and private funding, Specter is expanding its team in preparation for flight testing and full-scale production.  



Role & Responsibilities 

  • Lead and execute survivability assessments of novel, high-speed weapon systems to support on-going programs 
  • Create and validate vehicle performance models in AFSIM 
  • Develop and debug threat IADS simulations in AFSIM 
  • Conduct engagement simulations using TMAP and ESAMS 
  • Develop tools in Python and MATLAB to support the performance analysis of weapon systems 
  • Effectively communicate results to internal and external stakeholders to include government and military officials 
  • Support trajectory optimization efforts (3DOF/6DOF) 
  • Other duties as assigned by the company 



Job Requirements 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Math, Computer Science, Physics, or other related discipline 
  • 3+ years of relevant full-time experience 
  • Experience conducting engagement-level analysis of high-speed weapon systems using ESAMS or TMAP 
  • Experience conducting mission-level simulations in support of weapon system development using AFSIM 
  • Experience utilizing Linux computers for simulations and experience with HPC interfaces 
  • Proficiency in MATLAB and Python to support tool development 
  • Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required) 



Desired Skills 

  • Master’s Degree in Engineering, Math, Computer Science, Physics, or other related discipline 
  • 7+ years of relevant full-time experience 
  • Experience leading survivability studies for weapon system development programs 
  • Experience working across classification levels to efficiently conduct survivability studies 
  • Experience communicating with government officials 
  • Software development experience (including CI/CD pipelines, Git/GitLab) 
  • Active DoD security clearance 


EEO Statement:  

 All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.