While each field has its own requirements, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering—for example, in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or optical engineering—to become a weapons engineer. Many jobs require you to have federal clearance in addition to your educational credentials, especially if you are working on classified projects. Strong verbal and written communication abilities and certification or licensure from a professional engineering society in your particular engineering field are additional advantageous traits.
How to become a weapon engineer
There are some fundamental steps you can take to make sure you meet the entry-level requirements for this position even though every weapon engineer will follow a different career path. You can follow the instructions below to get started:
1. Earn a degree
Get a bachelor’s degree in engineering to start your career as a weapon engineer. Mechanical engineering, optical engineering, and electrical engineering are some of the most popular fields of study for aspirant weapon engineers. Some engineering schools also provide advanced classes that can assist you in acquiring the knowledge necessary to work as a weapon engineer. You might be able to take some of the following classes to help you get ready for a career in this industry:
To increase their chances of landing a job, some aspiring weapon engineers also complete a master’s degree in a more specialized field of engineering.
2. Participate in engineering competitions
Participating in national and international engineering competitions is a great way to gain experience outside of the classroom. You can impress potential employers by including any awards you win through these programs on your resume. These occasions are held by a number of organizations for both college and high school students. A few popular engineering competitions you can research include:
3. Gain work experience
Most employers prefer to hire applicants for the position of weapon engineer who have at least three years of relevant work experience. Apply for internships or apprenticeships at government military installations and private weapon manufacturers to gain experience. In order to gain practical experience working with microelectronics, photonics, optics, and image processing, many aspiring weapon engineers pursue entry-level positions. To continue honing your skills, you can apply for positions in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, and research.
4. Obtain your license
After gaining the required work experience, work toward a professional engineering certification. In order to register for their certification exam, aspiring weapon engineers typically need to finish three to four years of work under the supervision of a senior engineer, though the requirements differ from state to state. You can find out what actions you need to take to satisfy the eligibility requirements in your area by visiting the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology website.
Then research practice exams to prepare for your final test. Along with obtaining your official state license, think about joining a reputable engineering association. By networking with other professionals in your field, you may find it simpler to find available positions for weapon engineers in the location you desire.
5. Apply for jobs
Prepare a strong resume when you’re prepared to apply for jobs by emphasizing your relevant work experience, skills, and qualifications. Include any honors, credentials, or licenses you have earned throughout your professional life. To impress hiring managers, you can also list any engineering organizations that you are a member of. Create a portfolio that showcases your most impressive engineering projects as well as a well-written resume. You can include images or videos of your work, facts about how each project turned out, a list of reputable engineering organizations you’ve worked with over the course of your career, and other information.
To make sure your application materials look professional, proofread your resume and examine your portfolio. Then, start your job search using a search engine or job board. You can also look for potential openings by visiting the careers page on the organization’s website if there is a particular branch of the military you want to work for.
6. Receive federal clearance
Many military positions require you to pass a thorough background check, even though the level of clearance you need to become a weapon engineer may vary depending on the specific jobs you apply for. This procedure entails confirming your citizenship and answering a personnel security questionnaire. Even though you can only apply for federal clearance if a government organization asks you to, understanding the procedure is crucial because it’s a requirement if you intend to work on sensitive projects.
What is a weapon engineer?
Weapon engineers create, maintain, and improve military equipment and weapons. In addition to designing fighter jets, maintaining missile defense systems, testing body armor, and creating conventional weapons, they can also work on a wide range of other tasks. Although these experts can work for a particular branch of the military, they frequently find work with defense contractors. To ensure that every project they work on is secure and functional, weapon engineers collaborate with technicians, designers, and other engineers.
While a weapon engineer’s specific duties may change from day to day, there are a few essential duties you can anticipate in this position. Some of their most common job duties include:
Important skills for weapon engineers
Successful weapon engineers complete their work each day using a combination of hard skills, such as mechanical knowledge and experience with system design, and soft skills, such as attention to detail and organization. To succeed as a weapon engineer, you can develop the following extra abilities over the course of your career:
Salary and job outlook for weapon engineers
Please be aware that Indeed is not connected to any of the services or businesses mentioned in this article.
How to Become a Professional Gun Designer
FAQ
Is it hard to become a weapons engineer?
Successful weapon engineers complete their work each day using a combination of hard skills, such as mechanical knowledge and experience with system design, and soft skills, such as attention to detail and organization.
What degree do I need to be a weapons engineer?
While each field has its own requirements, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering—for example, in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or optical engineering—to become a weapons engineer.
What type of engineer makes weapons?
Mechanical, electrical, nuclear, aerospace, or chemical engineers are all examples of weapons engineers. A weapons engineer must be extremely knowledgeable about weaponry, defense systems, and laws governing weapons regardless of the type of engineer they are.
Can you study weapons engineering?
Mechanical, aerospace, or industrial engineering are the most common fields of study for weapons engineers. 73% of Weapons Engineers hold a Bachelor’s Degree and 14% hold a Master’s Degree To more thoroughly examine the subject of Weapons Engineer education, we discovered these by reviewing 29 Weapons Engineer resumes.
