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Airborne Combat Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Airborne Combat Engineer information

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$31K

$95.8K

$127.5K

How much do airborne combat engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for airborne combat engineer in the United States is $95,796.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,000.00 and $116,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Airborne Combat Engineer vs Combat Engineer?

AspectAirborne Combat EngineerCombat Engineer
CertificationsBasic Combat Engineer, Airborne QualificationBasic Combat Engineer
Work EnvironmentAirborne units, parachute insertion, airborne operationsGround combat zones, construction, demolition
Employer & IndustryMilitary, Army airborne unitsMilitary, Army engineering units

Airborne Combat Engineers specialize in parachuting into combat zones and supporting airborne operations, combining engineering skills with airborne qualifications. Combat Engineers focus on construction, demolition, and obstacle clearance on the ground. Both roles require similar certifications but differ mainly in their deployment methods and operational environments.

What are some unique challenges an Airborne Combat Engineer faces during deployment, and how are they addressed?

Airborne Combat Engineers often operate in rapidly changing and high-pressure environments, such as establishing obstacles or clearing hazards immediately after parachuting into hostile territory. They must quickly adapt to unpredictable conditions, work efficiently with limited resources, and maintain strong communication with infantry and support units to ensure mission success. To address these challenges, rigorous training focuses on both technical engineering skills and physical readiness, as well as fostering teamwork and adaptability under stress.

What are Airborne Combat Engineers?

Airborne Combat Engineers are military personnel who specialize in engineering duties such as constructing fortifications, demolitions, and clearing obstacles, while being trained and qualified to parachute into combat zones. They support airborne infantry units by ensuring mobility, countermobility, and survivability on the battlefield. Their tasks can include building bridges, setting up explosives, and clearing mines, all while operating in rapidly changing and often dangerous environments. Airborne Combat Engineers are part of specialized units and must complete both combat engineer and airborne training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Airborne Combat Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Airborne Combat Engineer, you need strong physical fitness, mechanical aptitude, and a solid understanding of engineering principles, typically supported by military training and completion of relevant occupational specialty schools. Familiarity with explosives handling, demolition equipment, and parachuting operations is essential, along with certifications like Airborne School graduation. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability under pressure are critical soft skills for effective mission support. These skills and qualities ensure that airborne combat engineers can safely and efficiently support combat operations, overcome obstacles, and enhance unit mobility in challenging environments.
More about Airborne Combat Engineer jobs
Infographic showing various Airborne Combat Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,796 per year, or $46.1 per hour.

Senior EW/AEA Analyst (DNP0[0526])

Air Combat Effectiveness Consulting

Lexington Park, MD โ€ข Hybrid

Other

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Description

Air Combat Effectiveness is seeking a highly experienced Senior Electronic Warfare / Airborne Electronic Attack (EW/AEA) Analyst to support mission engineering, capability development, and Science & Technology (S&T) efforts for the U.S. Navy. The ideal candidate brings deep operational AEA/EW experience, strong familiarity with Navy and Joint doctrine and policy, and the ability to translate operational needs into analytical insights and technical recommendations. This role also supports cognitive EW-related research and studies, helping advance emerging technologies and next-generation electromagnetic spectrum capabilities.


This is a hybrid position, combining remote work with required on-site support for classified meetings, team collaboration, customer engagement, and coordination with government and industry partners.


Key Responsibilities

Provide subject-matter expertise in Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA), Electronic Warfare planning, and electromagnetic spectrum operations.

Support mission engineering activities, including system performance analysis, mission thread development, CONOPS evaluation, and capability gap identification.

Contribute to cognitive EW research and studies, including emerging concepts, adaptive EW approaches, and technology exploration in support of Navy S&T priorities.

Advise and participate in Science & Technology (S&T) initiatives, including requirements development, technology evaluation, risk assessments, and transition planning for emerging EW/AEA capabilities.

Conduct operational assessments, scenario analysis, and mission modeling to evaluate system effectiveness across contested and dynamic electromagnetic environments.

Interpret and apply U.S. Navy and Joint EW/EMS policy, doctrine, and acquisition guidance to capability development and analysis tasks.

Prepare and present technical reports, analysis products, and briefings for senior leadership, program offices, and fleet stakeholders.

Collaborate across engineering teams, operators, researchers, and program managers to ensure alignment between operational needs and technical development efforts.

Participate in fleet-support activities such as exercises, wargaming, technical exchanges, and requirements reviews.


Requirements

support activities such as exercises, wargaming, technical exchanges, and requirements reviews.

Required Qualifications

Extensive operational AEA/EW experience, preferably within U.S. Navy aviation (e.g., EA-18G, EA-6B, or other tactical aviation EW roles).

Strong working knowledge of U.S. Navy and Joint EW/EMS policy, doctrine, and TTPs.

Demonstrated experience with mission engineering, operational analysis, or system-of-systems environments.

Familiarity with S&T development workflows, technology maturation, and transition pathways.

Ability to communicate complex EW/AEA and electromagnetic spectrum concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance (as applicable).

Desired Qualifications

Experience supporting cognitive EW, adaptive algorithms, data-driven analysis, or related research areas.

Experience with acquisition programs, requirements development, or JCIDS processes.

Background in wargaming, modeling & simulation, threat analysis, or test & evaluation.

Prior collaboration with Navy labs, OPNAV, ONR, NAVAIR, or Joint EW organizations.

Advanced degree in engineering, physics, operations research, or related technical field.