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Weapons Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (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 ...

Amyx, Inc.

Nuclear Weapons SME

Washington, DC · On-site +1

The Nuclear Weapons SME will advise CWMD leadership, intelligence analysts, and interagency ... Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in physics, nuclear engineering, engineering, national ...

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Weapons Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$75.7K

$96.4K

$114.4K

How much do weapons engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for weapons engineer in Washington, DC is $96,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,800.00 and $106,100.00 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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What are the most commonly searched types of Weapons Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

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Weapons Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Weapons Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,393 per year, or $46.3 per hour.

2027 PhD Graduate - Advanced Kinetic Weapons Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 74 rated research

Job description

Description
Are you a dedicated problem-solver who is curious about algorithms for guided air vehicles? Are you interested in simulating highly complex physics problems and applying advanced data science to understand the results? Would you like to learn about the newest and most innovative missile defense technologies? If so, we want you to join our team and help us evaluate and advance new technologies that protect our nation!
The Weapon Systems Engineering group is seeking a technical professional to help us address complex engineering challenges for advanced missile defense systems. We are a team of experts whose goals are to conceive and assess real-world missile systems, perform laboratory / field testing, conduct in-depth analysis of post-processed data, and present findings to sponsors and the war-fighter.
As an Advanced Kinetic Weapons Engineer:
  • Your primary responsibility will be to generate and analyze simulated guided missile data through the use of high-fidelity and mixed-fidelity simulations and statistical analysis tools.
  • You will evaluate the performance of various existing and future interceptor systems, examining EO/IR and RF seeker operations, guidance and control performance, fire control sensor handover processes, missile proximity fuzing, and warhead efficacy.
  • Verify and validate simulations against requirements and real world data to obtain formal accreditation.
  • Present key findings to various government sponsors including the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency (MDA), among others.
  • Make an impact on decisions and future designs for the systems that keep our war-fighters safe!

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for this job if you:
  • Have a PhD degree, or soon to be awarded PhD, in an Engineering field, Computer Science, Math or Physics
  • Have demonstrated skills in data analysis of simulated large-scale dynamical systems such as possibly autonomous or piloted aircraft, or guided missiles, or related kinetic systems
  • Have demonstrated an ability to craft clear and concise visualizations of analyzed data and explain the important outcomes to a wider audience
  • Have experience with high-performance computing clusters (HPC) scripting or usage such as SLURM or Univa Grid Engine
  • Have exposure to software verification, validation and accreditation (VV&A) testing
  • Exposure to advanced system engineering methods and MBSE tools such as SysML, Cameo, Rhapsody, etc. is a plus
  • Have exposure to scientific computing, data analysis, or a background in statistics and/or stochastic processes through classwork, projects, or internships
  • Are proficient in MATLAB or a similar scientific computing language such as SciPy or Julia
  • Are comfortable working in a Linux OS environment
  • Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond the minimum requirements if you:
  • Some experience with advanced architectures and wargaming software such as AFSIM, Command PE, etc. would be advantageous.
  • Hold an active security clearance with the ability to obtain a higher level clearance

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

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