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Contract Aerospace Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aerospace Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

At Booz Allen, you can use your engineering expertise to develop advanced defense tools and ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Aerospace Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

At Booz Allen, you can use your engineering expertise to develop advanced defense tools and ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Aerospace Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

At Booz Allen, you can use your engineering expertise to develop advanced defense tools and ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

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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 Jul 4, 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Aerospace Engineer, and why are they important?

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.

How to become an aerospace contractor?

To become an aerospace contractor, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, along with relevant experience in aerospace projects. Building a strong network, obtaining industry certifications, and understanding government contracting processes can also improve chances of success in securing contracts.

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.

Can I make 200k as an Aerospace Engineer?

Senior aerospace engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills, and working in high-paying industries or locations can earn salaries around or above $200,000 annually. Entry-level or mid-career aerospace engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000, with salaries increasing with specialization, certifications, and leadership roles.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior aerospace engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership roles can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-cost regions or with bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level often requires advanced degrees, certifications, and a track record of significant project contributions.

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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior aerospace engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and advanced certifications can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially in leadership roles or at major defense and aerospace companies. High salaries often reflect expertise in areas like propulsion, avionics, or systems engineering, along with a strong track record of project management and innovation.
More about Contract Aerospace Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Aerospace Engineering jobs? 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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Internship, and 67% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $101,781 per year, or $48.9 per hour.
Spacecraft Aerospace Engineer / Space Communications

Spacecraft Aerospace Engineer / Space Communications

Peraton

Las Cruces, NM

$51K - $82K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Peraton rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

47th of 207 rated it services


Job description

Responsibilities

Peraton has an opening for a Spacecraft Aerospace Engineer at the White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, NM. You'll join a team of engineers dedicated to maintaining the health and safety of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) fleet.

 

Peraton is the prime contractor for NASA at the White Sands Complex (WSC) near Las Cruces, New Mexico. Operating here are two functionally identical satellite ground terminals: The White Sands Ground Terminal, and the Second TDRSS Ground Terminal. These ground terminals ensure uninterrupted communications between various ground stations, NASA's orbiting fleet of Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), customer spacecraft (satellites), and the computer systems that support such spacecraft. WSC serves as an interface for distributing satellite data to control centers and scientists who then use the daily influx of data to expand our ever-growing knowledge of the Earth and the universe.

 

This position will be responsible for the following: 

  • Perform daily monitoring and trending of TDRS spacecraft state-of-health data.
  • Develop procedures for performing spacecraft activities, including station-keeping maneuvers, momentum unloads, relocations, and decommissioning activities.
  • Lead spacecraft operations activities as a Test Conductor, providing engineering guidance to the Satellite Controllers.
  • Analyze and identify spacecraft anomaly root causes. Plan and execute anomaly recovery actions.
  • Investigate and resolve any assigned spacecraft discrepancy reports.
  • Provide on-the-job training to peers as experience is gained.
  • Occasional work during nights or weekends is required when executing activities or assisting with anomaly recoveries.
Qualifications

Required Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
  • At least 2 years of experience working in spacecraft operations.
  • Security clearance - this position requires the candidate to be able to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance and to maintain the clearance thereafter. An Interim Secret is acceptable to start.
  • Must be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship.  
  • Must be able to maintain ability to access government worksite.
  • Ability to work occasionally during nights or weekends when required to execute activities or assist with anomaly recovery.

Desired Experience:

  • Active Secret security clearance.
  • MS degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience working in spacecraft operations.
  • Previous experience with spacecraft attitude control subsystems, planning or executing spacecraft maneuvers, and performing data trending/analysis.
  • Previous experience with Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) is a plus.
  • Proficiency with Systems Tool Kit (STK), Python, Visual Basic, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.
  • Experience using Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) tools for data analysis.
  • Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with peers and management.
  • Proficient with MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 
Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$51,000 - $82,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017