ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Aerospace Engineer Contract Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Judge Group, Inc.

Design Engineer

Centennial, CO · On-site

$50 - $70/hr

Design Engineer Contract | 6+ Months 30 + Opening with one of My Aerospace client Top Skill Sets: * Aero design * Landing gear * Hydraulics * Structural assessments * Weight assessments * Integration

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAerospace Engineer Contract JobsAerospace Engineer Contract Jobs in Colorado

Aerospace Engineer Contract information

See Colorado salary details

$44.2K

$114.2K

$173.5K

How much do aerospace engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerospace engineer contract in Colorado is $114,235.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,100.00 and $139,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a contract aerospace engineer do?

Contract aerospace engineers are independent contractors who work for aerospace companies on a short- or long-term contract basis. Your specific job duties vary, depending on the scope of the project and the type of company. Responsibilities may include designing parts for airplanes, researching technology for spacecraft and satellites, or developing the tools necessary for making industry parts used in different machinery. Contract aerospace engineers often focus on specific areas, such as mechanical systems or navigation and control components. These positions typically last anywhere from several weeks to a few months; contracts that last longer than a year are relatively rare.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract aerospace engineer?

To excel as a contract Aerospace Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering principles, a relevant engineering degree, and experience with industry standards like FAA or EASA regulations. Familiarity with technical tools such as CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks), simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB), and project management systems is essential, and certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) or Six Sigma can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and communication skills help you integrate quickly into new teams and projects. These competencies ensure you can deliver innovative and compliant solutions efficiently within the often tight timelines of contract work.

What are some common challenges faced by contract aerospace engineers, and how can they be managed?

Aerospace engineers on contract positions often face challenges such as rapidly adapting to new project teams, meeting tight deadlines, and quickly familiarizing themselves with proprietary systems or processes. Managing these challenges involves strong communication skills, proactive learning, and flexibility to integrate seamlessly with diverse team environments. Contract engineers benefit from staying updated on industry software and standards, and establishing clear expectations with supervisors to ensure project goals and timelines are met effectively.

What are aerospace engineer contracts?

Aerospace engineer contracts refer to temporary or project-based roles where engineers are hired to work on specific aerospace projects or for a set duration. These contracts can involve designing, developing, and testing aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, or related systems and components. Contract aerospace engineers often work for government agencies, private aerospace companies, or as independent consultants. These roles provide flexibility and the opportunity to gain experience on a variety of projects, though they may not offer the same job security or benefits as permanent positions.

What is the difference between Aerospace Engineer Contract vs Aerospace Engineer Full-Time?

AspectAerospace Engineer ContractAerospace Engineer Full-Time
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related fieldSame as contract; often requires additional certifications for senior roles
Work EnvironmentProject-based, temporary assignments, often on-site or remotePermanent employment, consistent work environment, on-site or office-based
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by aerospace firms, government agencies, and contractors for specific projectsEmployed directly by companies or agencies for ongoing roles
Work DurationShort-term, project-specificLong-term, ongoing

In summary, Aerospace Engineer Contract roles are temporary, project-focused positions often requiring similar credentials as full-time roles but offering more flexibility. Full-time aerospace engineers have stable, long-term employment with benefits, working consistently within the same organization.

More about Aerospace Engineer Contract jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Aerospace Engineer jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Aerospace Engineer jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Aerospace Engineer Contract jobs in Colorado?

For Aerospace Engineer Contract jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Aerospace Engineer Contract jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Aerospace Engineer Contract jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Aerospace Engineer Contract jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Aerospace Engineer Contract job openings:

Aerospace Engineer Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerospace Engineer Contract job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,235 per year, or $54.9 per hour.

Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) Engineer II

CesiumAstro

Westminster, CO • On-site

$113K - $136K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description


At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.
We are looking to add a GNC Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing systems for leading-edge spacecraft, and aerospace communication systems, we would like to hear from you.
In this position, you will work on a small team in the design and analysis of GNC systems for CesiumAstro satellites and payloads. You will be responsible for Guidance, Navigation, and Control through all stages of design, integration, test, and operations. As such, you will perform trade studies, participate in design reviews, create models, and complete simulations and system testing. You will build, test, and fly hardware.
As a CesiumAstro spacecraft team member, you will work on a small team to develop satellites and put them in orbit. Being in a startup, you can expect significant portions of your time to be spent contributing to company-critical projects outside your area of expertise.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
  • Master of Science (MS), or Doctorate (Ph.D.) degree in Aerospace Engineering from an accredited university or institution
  • 2 years of internship, research, or industry experience in satellite attitude and orbit systems
  • Expertise in attitude estimation, guidance, and control; coordinate frame transformations; linear algebra; and non-linear systems
  • Experience with multiple spaceflight missions from concept to operations
  • Experience in low earth orbit satellites
  • Experience with post-CDR test failures and on-orbit failures that guide your design and test philosophies
  • Experience with successful and unsuccessful recovery from on-orbit failures
  • Experience in conceptualization, architecture design, requirements specification, design, test, and operations of various GNC architectures and components
  • Familiarity with space mission simulation tools such as STK, Basilisk, GMAT, or FreeFlyer
  • Experience defining spacecraft trajectories and orbital requirements
  • Fluency with Python and C++, or other modeling languages
  • Familiarity with spacecraft mission design including events, pointing modes, maneuver planning, and operations
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
  • CubeSat and SmallSat experience
  • Hands-on experience with spacecraft instrumentation, subsystems, and test labs
  • Experience with multiple mission simulation and flight architectures which drives your vision for the next generation of space software
  • Experience in LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space satellites
  • Experience with communications satellites

$113,000 - $136,400 a year
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Apply