Also called: Naval Combat Systems Engineer, Weapons Systems Engineer
Ties together the radars, computers and defensive weapons on Navy ships so they work as one system.
You test how a destroyer's radar hands a target to its missile system, run simulations of attacks, and ride along on sea trials to watch everything work for real. Much of the work happens in secure labs, so you leave your phone at the door.
Most jobs are with Navy labs and defense contractors.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in electrical, systems or mechanical engineering; security clearance.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.
Growing about average. Steady defense spending; not tracked separately.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds integration testing and data review; clearance work, ship trials and safety-critical decisions stay human.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, JROTC or Sea Cadets.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2199.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.