Kongsberg Salaries: What Engineers Earn at Norway’s Defence Giant
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund may get all the headlines, but it is Kongsberg Gruppen’s workforce — 11,500 people, roughly half in defence — that generates the country’s most geopolitically consequential industrial output. For engineers considering a career in the weapons business, Kongsberg is a singular option: small-country culture, world-class programs.
Compensation Benchmarks
| Level | Estimated Annual Salary (NOK) | USD Equivalent (approx.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate / Junior engineer | 600,000–750,000 | ~55,000–70,000 | Glassdoor / Finn.no |
| Mid-level engineer (3–7 yrs) | 800,000–1,000,000 | ~75,000–95,000 | Glassdoor |
| Senior engineer (7+ yrs) | 1,000,000–1,300,000 | ~95,000–120,000 | Glassdoor |
| Principal / technical lead | 1,300,000+ | ~120,000+ | Glassdoor |
Kongsberg vs Comparable Defence Employers
| Company | Country | Avg. Engineer Salary (USD) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kongsberg | Norway | ~75,000–120,000 | Glassdoor |
| Raytheon | USA | ~90,000–140,000 | Glassdoor |
| Saab | Sweden | ~65,000–100,000 | Glassdoor |
| ASELSAN | Turkey | ~25,000–55,000 | Glassdoor |
| MBDA | France / UK | ~70,000–110,000 | Glassdoor |
Departments and Disciplines
| Department | Key Work | Disciplines Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Missile Systems | NSM, JSM, Penguin design | Aerospace, mechanical, propulsion |
| Air Defence | NASAMS, FDC | Systems engineering, radar, software |
| Maritime Autonomous | HUGIN, REMUS, ORCCA | Ocean engineering, robotics, acoustics |
| C4ISR / Software | CORTEX ICS, command software | Software engineering, cybersecurity |
FAQ
Can non-Norwegians work at Kongsberg?
Yes, but security clearance procedures apply. Residence in Norway is typically required for cleared roles.
Does Kongsberg offer graduate programs?
Yes, through partnerships with NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) and other technical universities.
Sources
- Kongsberg — Careers page (kongsberg.com/careers)
- Glassdoor — Kongsberg salary data
- Finn.no — Norwegian job listings
