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Civilian Defense Contractor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SimSpace Corporation

Senior Sales Executive, Federal

$145K - $220K/yr

Federal civilian, defense, and intelligence agencies. Your focus will be identifying, qualifying ... Establish trusted relationships with technical, program, and contracting stakeholders * Maintain ...

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Civilian Defense Contractor information

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$249.5K

How much do civilian defense contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for civilian defense contractor in the United States is $142,683.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,500.00 and $160,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a civilian defense contractor?

Civilian defense contractors are individuals or companies that provide products, services, or expertise to military or defense organizations while not being enlisted members of the armed forces. They can work in a wide variety of roles, including engineering, logistics, IT, security, and consulting, helping to support defense operations both domestically and abroad. These contractors are often employed by private companies that have contracts with government defense agencies, and their work is crucial to the functioning and modernization of military infrastructure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a civilian defense contractor?

To thrive as a Civilian Defense Contractor, you generally need specialized expertise in engineering, logistics, cybersecurity, or project management, often backed by a relevant degree and security clearance. Familiarity with government procurement systems, defense industry regulations, and tools like SAP or project management software is common. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with military personnel and navigate complex, high-stakes environments. These competencies ensure compliance, operational effectiveness, and the successful delivery of critical defense projects.

What are some common challenges faced by civilian defense contractors working on government projects?

Civilian defense contractors often navigate complex regulatory requirements and strict compliance standards when working on government projects. Adhering to security protocols, managing sensitive information, and meeting tight project deadlines can be challenging. Additionally, contractors may need to coordinate with both military personnel and other civilian teams, requiring strong communication and adaptability. Successfully managing these aspects is essential for project success and career advancement in the defense industry.

What is the difference between Civilian Defense Contractor vs Security Specialist?

AspectCivilian Defense ContractorSecurity Specialist
CredentialsMilitary or defense-related certifications, security clearancesSecurity certifications (e.g., CPP, PSP), sometimes military background
Work EnvironmentMilitary bases, defense facilities, remote sitesCorporate, government, or private security settings
Employer & IndustryDefense contractors, government agenciesPrivate security firms, corporations, government agencies

Both roles involve security and defense-related work, often requiring similar certifications and clearances. Civilian Defense Contractors typically work on defense projects and military sites, while Security Specialists focus on protecting assets, personnel, and facilities across various industries. The main difference lies in their specific work environments and project focus.

How do you become a civilian defense contractor?

To become a civilian defense contractor, candidates typically need relevant military or defense industry experience, security clearances, and specialized skills such as engineering, cybersecurity, or logistics. Many employers also require a background check and adherence to government contracting regulations, with certifications like PMP or security clearances often advantageous.

How much do civilian defense contractors get paid?

Civilian defense contractors typically earn between $50,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, specialization, and security clearance level. Salaries can vary based on the complexity of projects, location, and whether the role involves fieldwork or office-based tasks.
More about Civilian Defense Contractor jobs

What cities are hiring for Civilian Defense Contractor jobs?

Cities with the most Civilian Defense Contractor job openings:

What states have the most Civilian Defense Contractor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Civilian Defense Contractor jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Civilian Defense Contractor jobs?

For Civilian Defense Contractor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Civilian Defense Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Civilian Defense Contractor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 19% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,683 per year, or $68.6 per hour.

Principal Consultant (Operations)

Washington, DC • On-site

Socket.dev
Network Security • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Socket.devexternal

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION
Principal Consultant (Operations)
Forward Edge-AI, Inc.

DEPARTMENT
Program Management Office (PMO)

REPORTS TO
Angela Thornton-Young, VP DoD Programs

FLSA STATUS
Exempt

JOB BAND
To Be Determined

DIVISION
Customer Operations

LOCATION
MD, VA, Washington, DC/Hybrid

Position Summary

The Principal Consultant (Operations) serves as the Program Manager's principal operational advisor and leads integrated execution of a complex Department of the Air Force Business Mission Area support program. The role provides senior-level direction across personnel, workstreams, schedules, deliverables, quality, risk, resources and customer engagement.

Reporting to the Vice President, DoD Programs, the Principal Consultant translates strategic priorities, contract requirements and Government direction into coordinated execution and ensures functional teams operate as a unified program. The position may represent the Program Manager in designated operational forums but does not independently make contractual commitments or accept direction outside authorized Government channels.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Operational Leadership and Integration
  • Serve as the Program Manager's senior advisor for operational strategy, organizational performance, workforce alignment, resource prioritization and execution risk.
  • Lead integrated execution across program management, front-office support, enterprise architecture, data, cloud, technology, audit, acquisition and portfolio-governance workstreams.
  • Direct task leads and functional managers in balancing priorities, staffing, resources, dependencies and delivery commitments across concurrent efforts.
  • Exercise delegated operational authority to resolve cross-workstream execution issues and elevate matters involving contractual scope, Government policy, significant resources or executive decisions to the Program Manager.
Planning, Performance and Governance
  • Convert strategic objectives, contract requirements and Government priorities into executable operating plans, performance measures, decision points, accountable owners and measurable outcomes.
  • Represent the Program Manager in designated executive governance meetings, operational reviews and customer engagements, providing clear assessments, options, recommendations, and follow-through.
  • Maintain integrated visibility of schedules, staffing, performance measures, risks, issues, dependencies, deliverables, and corrective actions.
Quality, Risk and Rapid Response
  • Direct quality oversight and recovery planning for significant performance, schedule, staffing or deliverable issues and verify that corrective actions are owned and time bound.
  • Coordinate rapid-response and short-notice requirements while protecting committed outcomes and communicating resources, schedule and downstream impacts.
  • Identify and elevate emerging risks before they materially affect mission delivery.
Contract and Customer Alignment
  • Ensure operational decisions, Government interactions and partner-contractor coordination remain within contract scope, delegated authority, organizational-conflict requirements and authorized channels.
  • Build trusted relationships across military, civilian, contractor, technical, acquisition, financial, cybersecurity and mission stakeholders.
Supervisory and Program Responsibilities

The Principal Consultant directs and coordinates task leads, functional managers and integrated support teams within delegated program authority. The role supports workforce alignment, resource prioritization, delivery accountability and operational continuity across the program while reserving contractual commitments and matters outside delegated authority for the Program Manager.

Required Qualifications Education
  • Bachelor's degree in business, management, information technology, engineering, public administration, national security studies, or related fields. Equivalent directly relevant experience may be considered.
Experience
  • At least 15 years of progressively responsible military, federal civilian, defense-contractor, program-management or operational leadership experience.
  • At least 7 years leading complex multidisciplinary organizations, programs, portfolios, operational staff or service-delivery teams in a federal, defense or technical environment.
  • Experience operating at a senior headquarters, command, enterprise or executive-advisory level and advising general/flag officers, Senior Executive Service leaders, senior federal executives or leaders with comparable organizational responsibility.
  • Demonstrated responsibility for workforce planning, organizational performance, resource prioritization, risk management, executive governance, and delivery of accountability.
  • Experience integrating military, civilian, contractor, technical, acquisition, financial, cybersecurity and mission stakeholders across organizational boundaries.
  • Experience overseeing program plans, integrated schedules, staffing plans, performance metrics, deliverables, risk and issue registers, corrective actions and executive reviews.
Clearance and Availability
  • Active DoD Secret clearance and ability to maintain it for the duration of employment.
  • Ability to support the core operating window of 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Eastern Time and occasional time-sensitive requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior service in a position of scope and responsibility comparable to a DoD O-5/O-6 military officer or GS-14/GS-15 federal civilian.
  • Previous command, deputy command, chief of staff, director, deputy director, division chief, operations officer, program director or senior headquarters staff experience.
  • Experience supporting OSD, the Joint Staff, Combatant Command, Service headquarters, MAJCOM, defense agency, PEO/PMO or comparable federal headquarters.
  • Experience supporting the Department of the Air Force, Headquarters Air Force, SAF/CN, SAF/MG or another DAF enterprise organization.
  • Master's degree in business, public administration, national security, information technology, engineering or related discipline.
  • Knowledge of Defense Business Systems, Business Mission Area governance, BCAC, IT portfolio management, enterprise architecture, cloud adoption, or business transformation.
  • Experience with contract deliverables, performance standards, quality-control plans, subcontractor coordination and advisory and assistance services.
  • Experience leading distributed or hybrid teams across Government and contractor organizations.
  • PMP, PgMP, DAWIA, FAC-P/PM, ITIL, Lean Six Sigma or comparable certification.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Exceptional operational judgment and ability to synthesize complex technical and programmatic information into executive recommendations, decision briefs and actionable direction.
  • Executive-level written, verbal, facilitation and stakeholder-management skills.
  • Strong organizational leadership, resource prioritization, risk management, and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and lead to coordinated execution in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and working knowledge of enterprise project scheduling, collaboration, reporting or work-management tools.
  • High standards of integrity, accountability, discretion, and documentation.
Working Conditions
  • Work may be performed in an office, customer site or approved hybrid environment as designated by Forward Edge-AI and contract requirements.
  • Occasional travel or extended hours may be required to support operational reviews, customer engagements, or time-sensitive mission requirements.
  • The position routine ly handles sensitive program, personnel, contractual and Government information.
Measures of Success
  • Program and Government leaders receive timely, candid and decision-ready assessments of performance, risk, tradeoffs and required actions.
  • Strategic priorities are translated into disciplined execution with clear authorities, owners, resources, dates, dependencies, and measurable outcomes.
  • Cross-workstream conflicts and delivery risks are resolved at the appropriate level before materially affecting mission outcomes.
  • Schedules, staffing data, status reports, performance measures and deliverables remain current, accurate, integrated, and executive ready.
  • Functional teams operate as a unified program with leadership continuity, accountability, quality and trusted customer relationships.
Equal Employment Opportunity

Forward Edge-AI is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in accordance with applicable law. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals as required by applicable law.

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