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Aerospace Engineer Contract Jobs in Delaware (NOW HIRING)

Steel Partners

VP of Sales

Camden, DE · On-site

... engineered solutions for demanding applications across industries such as aerospace, life sciences ... Oversee forecasting, pipeline management, and contract negotiations * Establish and execute pricing ...

HandyTube Corporation

VP of Sales

Camden, DE · On-site

... engineered solutions for demanding applications across industries such as aerospace, life sciences ... Oversee forecasting, pipeline management, and contract negotiations * Establish and execute pricing ...

HandyTube

VP of Sales

Camden, DE · On-site

... engineered solutions for demanding applications across industries such as aerospace, life sciences ... Oversee forecasting, pipeline management, and contract negotiations * Establish and execute pricing ...

Relative Dynamics

Flight Safety Analyst

Dover, DE · On-site

... boundaries of engineering, models, services, and technology development. Visit us at www ... Identify flight hazards and controls to mitigate flight hazards in aerospace or aeronautical ...

Relative Dynamics

Flight Safety Analyst

Delmar, DE

... boundaries of engineering, models, services, and technology development. Visit us at www ... Identify flight hazards and controls to mitigate flight hazards in aerospace or aeronautical ...

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All JobsAerospace Engineer Contract JobsAerospace Engineer Contract Jobs in Delaware

Aerospace Engineer Contract information

See Delaware salary details

$42K

$108.7K

$165.1K

How much do aerospace engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerospace engineer contract in Delaware is $108,732.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,600.00 and $132,600.00 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 Delaware?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aerospace Engineer Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerospace Engineer Contract job openings in Delaware as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,732 per year, or $52.3 per hour.

Flight Termination Systems Engineer

Relative Dynamics

Milford, DE • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

At Relative Dynamics we value knowledge as a process rather than knowledge as an answer. Founded in 2011, our goal is to define the new space era by continuously pushing the boundaries of engineering, models, services, and technology development. Visit us at www.relativedynamicsinc.com .
Relative Dynamics is a subcontractor supporting the NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Services III (SMAS III) contract at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). In this role, you will be employed by Relative Dynamics and assigned to work on projects in support of SMAS III. We are seeking a highly skilled Electrical Engineer specializing in Flight Termination Systems (FTS) to join the aerospace engineering team in the Range Safety Operations Division at Wallops Flight Facility. This position is located on site at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA.
This role is critical to ensuring the safety, reliability, and compliance of launch vehicle operations. The incumbent will review designs, test, and certify FTS hardware and electronics that meet stringent regulatory and mission requirements. The SMAS III contract provides full life cycle hardware and software quality oversight, reliability and risk assessments, system safety design, operational support, and related services to NASA's science and exploration missions and ground support elements, including the Roman Space Telescope (RST) and the Dragonfly (Titan moon) probe. The program also provides flight safety analysis and operational support for NASA/Wallops orbital and suborbital rockets, balloons, and other aerial projects.
What You'll Get to Do:
FTS Design Review & Certification
  • Review, test, and certify FTS hardware and electronics against regulatory and mission requirements
  • Ensure the safety, reliability, and compliance of launch vehicle operations

Systems Testing & Environmental Qualification
  • Perform and evaluate environmental testing (thermal, vibration, EMI/EMC) on safety-critical hardware

Range Safety Compliance & Documentation
  • Apply NASA, MIL-STD, and FAA range safety and FTS requirements across design and certification activities

Required Skills & Background
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, with 5+ years of experience in aerospace or defense electronics, including FTS or safety-critical systems.
  • Experience with FTS and/or safety-critical systems for rockets.
  • Strong knowledge of Radio Frequency (RF) systems, command destruct receivers, and high-reliability circuit design.
  • Familiarity with NASA, MIL-STD, and FAA range safety and FTS requirements.
  • Hands-on experience with environmental testing (thermal, vibration, EMI/EMC).
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in cross-disciplinary teams.
  • Security clearance may be required depending on program.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with launch vehicle avionics and telemetry systems.
  • Knowledge of redundancy design and fault-tolerant architectures.
  • Prior work with government ranges (e.g., NASA Wallops Island, Eastern Range, Western Range).
  • Familiarity with DO-254 certification processes.

Who You Are:
  • A self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment
  • A quick learner who is always ready to gain depth of knowledge
  • A reliable worker who knows the importance of showing up when it counts
  • Accept assignments with open, cooperative, positive, and team-oriented attitudes
  • Able to plan and execute plans across teams
  • Effective communicator, both written and verbal

What You'll Enjoy:
  • Competitive wage and benefits package
  • Medical, dental, vision, and life/disability insurance
  • Vacation and paid holidays
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • 401k with company match
  • Employee referral program
  • Community involvement, investing and giving back to the community

Relative Dynamics conducts a comprehensive background check that includes drug testing. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.

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