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Contract Aerospace Engineering Jobs in Washington

KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology ... This is a contingent position based upon contract award. Position Overview The Aerospace Engineer ...

New

Contract Start Date: Immediate The Opportunity We are partnering with an innovative aerospace engineering company specialising in the design, development, integration, and testing of advanced ...

Satellite Systems Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

... Aerospace Engineering, Communication Engineering Physics or related discipline (may substitute for 2-years of relevant experience * Experience working on federal contracts * Knowledge of GPS systems ...

Satellite Systems Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

... Aerospace Engineering, Communication Engineering Physics or related discipline (may substitute for 2-years of relevant experience * Experience working on federal contracts * Knowledge of GPS systems ...

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Contract Aerospace Engineering information

See Washington salary details

$34

$55

$112

How much do contract aerospace engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract aerospace engineering in Washington is $55.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.54 and $57.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is contract aerospace engineering?

Contract aerospace engineering refers to hiring engineers on a temporary or project-based basis to work on aerospace projects such as aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, or defense systems. These engineers may be brought in to provide specialized expertise, assist with peak workloads, or complete specific phases of a project. Unlike permanent employees, contract aerospace engineers typically work for a set period or until project completion. This arrangement provides flexibility for both employers and engineers, allowing companies to access specific skills as needed while giving engineers diverse work experiences.

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

To thrive as a Contract Aerospace Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering principles, experience with aircraft or spacecraft design, and at least a bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with industry-standard CAD software (such as CATIA or SolidWorks), finite element analysis tools, and relevant certifications (like PE or PMP) is often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and excellent communication skills help you adapt to diverse project environments and collaborate effectively. These competencies ensure you can deliver high-quality engineering solutions within tight deadlines and varied client requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by contract aerospace engineers, and how can they best prepare for them?

Contract aerospace engineers often face challenges such as quickly adapting to new teams, rapidly understanding project-specific requirements, and managing fluctuating workloads due to project-based timelines. To succeed, it's important to develop strong communication skills, stay up-to-date with industry standards, and remain flexible in your approach to problem-solving. Building a robust professional network and being proactive in learning about different company cultures can also help contract engineers quickly integrate and add value to each assignment.

What does a contract aerospace engineer do?

A contract aerospace engineer designs, analyzes, and tests aircraft and spacecraft components on a temporary basis for clients or companies. They often work with CAD software, perform simulations, and ensure compliance with safety and industry standards within project deadlines. Their role involves applying engineering principles to develop innovative aerospace solutions under contract terms.

What are the most commonly searched types of Aerospace Engineering jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Aerospace Engineering jobs in Washington are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Aerospace Engineering jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Aerospace Engineering jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Contract Aerospace Engineering jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Contract Aerospace Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Aerospace Engineering job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 7% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,277 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Aerospace Engineer Level IV

KBR

Washington, DC • Hybrid

$154K - $211K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New


KBR rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 48 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

141st of 452 rated engineering


Job description

Title:

Aerospace Engineer Level IV

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country's most critical role - protecting our national security.

Why Join Us?

  • Innovative Projects:KBR's work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.

  • Collaborative Environment:Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.

  • Impactful Work:Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

This is a contingent position based upon contract award.

Position Overview

The Aerospace Engineer Level IV provides advanced technical expertise in the design, analysis, and integration of aerospace and space systems supporting U.S. Government programs. This role is responsible for developing vehicle configurations, conducting multidisciplinary analyses, and supporting system development across the full lifecycle-from concept through flight and mission operations.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design, analyze, and evaluate aerospace vehicle configurations to meet mission requirements
  • Conduct system and subsystem trade studies across propulsion, structures, thermal, GNC, RF, power, and payload
  • Perform aerodynamic, thermal, and structural analyses using industry-standard tools
  • Develop and simulate aerospace system models and prototypes
  • Support development and testing of prototype hardware in emerging technical areas
  • Define and allocate program-level requirements and ensure traceability
  • Support integration, test, and evaluation (I&T) activities
  • Interface with multidisciplinary teams to ensure system-level performance
  • Prepare and present technical briefings and documentation
  • Support mission planning and system architecture development
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline (Master's preferred)
  • 8-12+ years of aerospace engineering experience
  • Experience with aerospace system design, analysis, and modeling
  • Proficiency with engineering tools (MATLAB, ANSYS, NASTRAN, CFD tools)
  • Experience performing trade studies and performance analysis
  • Familiarity with spacecraft, launch vehicles, or high-speed systems
  • Experience supporting government programs
  • Active Secret clearance
Preferred Qualifications
  • Active TS/SCI clearance
  • Experience with flight hardware development and testing
  • Knowledge of hypersonic or advanced aerospace systems
  • Familiarity with MBSE or digital engineering tools
  • Leadership or task-level management experience
Clearance

Active Secret required (TS/SCI preferred or eligible)

Work Environment

On-site/hybrid environment supporting government labs, integration facilities, and offices with occasional travel to test and launch sites.

Basic Compensation:

$154,000 - $211,700

This range is for the Washington DC area only.

The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

Additional Compensation:

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let's shape the future together.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.


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About KBR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At KBR, we partner with government and industry clients to provide purposeful and comprehensive solutions with an emphasis on efficiency and safety. With a full portfolio of services, proprietary technologies and expertise, our employees are ready to handle projects and missions from planning and design to sustainability and maintenance. Whether at the bottom of the ocean or in outer space, our clients trust us to deliver the impossible on a daily basis.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US

Year founded

1998