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Contract Aerospace Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Research Aerospace Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The group brings together specialties in Aerospace, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering ... contracts at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the Air Force Research Laboratory to provide ...

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Contract Aerospace Engineering information

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$30

$48

$99

How much do contract aerospace engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract aerospace engineering in the United States is $48.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.11 and $50.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a contract aerospace engineer do?

A contract aerospace engineer designs, develops, tests, and evaluates aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems on a temporary or project basis. They often work with CAD software, adhere to safety standards, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to meet project specifications and deadlines.

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 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.
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Cities with the most Contract Aerospace Engineering job openings:

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

The most popular types of Aerospace Engineering jobs are:

What states have the most Contract Aerospace Engineering jobs?

States with the most job openings for Contract Aerospace Engineering jobs include:

Infographic showing various Contract Aerospace Engineering job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,781 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Aerospace Engineer with Security Clearance

Alutiiq, LLC

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$190K - $240K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

McCallie Associates, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alutiiq, LLC, is accepting applications for a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Aerospace Engineer - Space Force Missile Warning Ground Mission to support the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) missile warning ground mission - a major program area providing 24/7 ballistic missile and hypersonic threat warning to the joint warfighter. This role provides deep engineering expertise across the missile warning ground processing, mission management, and operational delivery threads. This position will provide senior engineering judgment to one of the most consequential mission lines in Space Sensing - the systems that turn satellite-detected threats into actionable missile warning to the President, the Secretary of Defense, combatant commanders, and warfighters in real time. * Provide SME-level aerospace engineering expertise on missile warning ground processing, mission management, and operational delivery * Lead engineering reviews of ground processing architectures, mission management systems, and operational software baselines * Support development planning for next-generation missile warning ground capabilities, including Next-Gen OPIR ground processing * Contribute to engineering analyses of end-to-end missile warning latency, accuracy, and reliability * Engage with contractor program teams developing or sustaining missile warning ground processing and mission management capabilities * Review and contribute to engineering change proposals, technical baseline reviews, and operational software change boards * Provide engineering oversight for integration of missile warning ground with satellite and user segments * Prepare technical briefings, engineering position papers, and operational readiness assessments for senior Government audiences This opportunity is for a POTENTIAL CONTRACT award and is contingent upon the contract being awarded. Consideration for a potential contract may require a signed letter of intent. If the contract is awarded, another position posting will be available on the Company Careers portal. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: * Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility * U.S. Citizenship * Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline from an ABET-accredited institution * Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible aerospace engineering experience, with demonstrated SME-level depth in missile warning systems, satellite ground processing, or mission management systems * Demonstrated experience with DoD missile warning, SBIRS, Next-Gen OPIR, or related strategic sensing missions * Experience with operational ground software baselines, mission management, and 24/7 operational delivery * Strong written and verbal communication; demonstrated ability to brief senior Government audiences Preferred Qualifications * Master's degree or PhD in a technical discipline * Prior direct support to SSC/SN, SMC, NORAD/USNORTHCOM, or predecessor Space Force / Air Force missile warning organizations * Direct experience with SBIRS Mission Control Station, Next-Gen OPIR ground, or legacy missile warning ground modernization * Operational missile warning crew or crew-supervisor experience Expected salary range: $190,000 to $240,000 per year Afognak Native Corporation and Afognak's direct and indirect subsidiaries, partnerships, joint ventures and affiliates to include Alutiiq, LLC; Afognak Commercial Group, LLC; Alutiiq Professional Consulting, LLC; and each of their respective domestic and foreign, direct and indirect subsidiaries, partnerships, joint ventures and affiliates are equal opportunity employers that do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws (collectively, "Protected Status"). The pay range information provided is a general guideline. The pay rate offered will be determined based on the candidate's experience and qualifications, as well as geographic locations, market data, and other business considerations, as permitted by law. Our full range of benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability protection, life insurance, prescription coverage, voluntary benefits, paid leave, and 401(k) retirement. Positions covered by the McNamara O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), or a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), or Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will comply with the statute or CBA requirements as well as other client-customer contract requirements (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). For more information, please visit our Company's Career page.

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About Alutiiq

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Anchorage, AK, US

Year founded

1999

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