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Aerospace Engineer Contract Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Qualdoc

Aerospace Structural Engineer

Newport News, VA · On-site

$55/hr

Contract-to-Hire Starting Pay: $55.00/hour (Higher pay available based on experience) Position Overview Seeking an experienced Aerospace Structural Engineer to support aircraft modifications, repairs ...

Qualdoc

Aerospace Structural Engineer

Newport News, VA

$55/hr

Contract-to-Hire Starting Pay: $55.00/hour (Higher pay available based on experience) Position Overview Seeking an experienced Aerospace Structural Engineer to support aircraft modifications, repairs ...

Cymertek

Space Systems Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SIMILAR CAREER TITLES Satellite Systems Engineer, Aerospace Systems Engineer, Spacecraft Systems ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Cymertek

Space Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SIMILAR CAREER TITLES Satellite Systems Engineer, Aerospace Systems Engineer, Spacecraft Systems ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Cymertek

Space Systems Engineer

Tysons, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SIMILAR CAREER TITLES Satellite Systems Engineer, Aerospace Systems Engineer, Spacecraft Systems ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsAerospace Engineer Contract JobsAerospace Engineer Contract Jobs in Virginia

Aerospace Engineer Contract information

See Virginia salary details

$41.6K

$107.7K

$163.6K

How much do aerospace engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerospace engineer contract in Virginia is $107,706.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,700.00 and $131,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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.
More about Aerospace Engineer Contract jobs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aerospace Engineer Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerospace Engineer Contract job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,706 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

Aerospace Certification Engineer

Qualdoc

Newport News, VA • On-site

$60/hr

Contractor

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Aerospace Certification Engineer
Location: Newport News, VA
Job Type: Contract
Pay: Starting at $60.00/hour (higher based on experience)
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Aerospace Certification Engineer to support aircraft modification, repair, and certification programs. In this role, you will develop certification strategies, prepare compliance documentation, and coordinate certification activities to ensure aircraft systems meet FAA, military, and industry requirements.
The ideal candidate has experience supporting aircraft certification programs, regulatory compliance, and engineering documentation within the aerospace industry.
Responsibilities
  • Develop certification strategies, certification plans, and means of compliance for aircraft modification and repair programs.
  • Identify applicable FAA, military, customer, and airworthiness requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Prepare and maintain certification documentation, including compliance matrices, engineering reports, certification plans, and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA).
  • Coordinate certification activities with engineering, production, quality, and program management teams.
  • Work with FAA representatives, engineering consultants, customers, and suppliers to support certification planning, technical reviews, inspections, and approvals.
  • Review engineering drawings, analyses, reports, and technical documentation to verify regulatory compliance.
  • Support conformity inspections, ground testing, flight testing, and compliance demonstrations.
  • Provide technical guidance during fabrication, installation, troubleshooting, and aircraft modification activities.
  • Participate in design reviews and provide recommendations related to certification strategy, regulatory compliance, and continued airworthiness.
  • Maintain certification records under configuration control and ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives and certification process enhancements.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • Experience supporting aircraft certification, aircraft modifications, repairs, or aerospace product development programs.
  • Working knowledge of FAA regulations, Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) processes, FAA Form 337 major alterations, and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA).
  • Experience developing or reviewing compliance matrices, engineering reports, test plans, conformity documentation, and other certification artifacts.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, analyses, and technical documentation.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering and production teams.
  • Comfortable working in both office and aircraft hangar environments.
  • U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status required.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Five or more years of experience supporting aircraft certification, STC programs, military airworthiness, or regulated aerospace certification activities.
  • Experience developing certification plans, compliance strategies, and means of compliance.
  • Familiarity with MIL-HDBK-516C airworthiness requirements.
  • Experience coordinating conformity inspections, ground testing, flight testing, and certification activities.
  • Experience preparing engineering reports, compliance documentation, and ICA manuals.
  • Knowledge of aircraft systems, structures, avionics integration, and aircraft modification practices.
  • Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems, engineering release processes, and configuration management.
  • Experience supporting continued operational safety, post-certification engineering activities, and project risk management.

What You'll Bring
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to regulatory compliance.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced aerospace environment.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • A proactive approach to solving technical and certification challenges while supporting successful project execution.

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.
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About Qualdoc

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Strategic planning consulting services

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

2020

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