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Contract Design Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

CesiumAstro

Wire Harness Design Engineer II

Austin, TX · On-site

We are looking to add a Wire Harness Design Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a ... Work directly with suppliers and contract manufacturers to manage supply chain, build quality and ...

CesiumAstro

Wire Harness Design Engineer II

Austin, TX · On-site

We are looking to add a Wire Harness Design Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a ... Work directly with suppliers and contract manufacturers to manage supply chain, build quality and ...

Emerson

Systems Design Architecture Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$99K - $135K/yr

The primary responsibilities of this position are to work with NI customers, sales personnel, engineering teams, alliance partners, and contract manufacturers to define, document, design, deploy and ...

Emerson Group

Systems Design Architecture Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$99K - $135K/yr

The primary responsibilities of this position are to work with NI customers, sales personnel, engineering teams, alliance partners, and contract manufacturers to define, document, design, deploy and ...

Celestica

Staff Engineer, Hardware Design

Austin, TX · On-site

Review and interpret customer requirements/specifications and may act as primary customer contract ... Strong engineering design experience in the field of Compute, Storage, or Network products required

Celestica

Staff Engineer, Hardware Design

Austin, TX · On-site

Review and interpret customer requirements/specifications and may act as primary customer contract ... Strong engineering design experience in the field of Compute, Storage, or Network products required

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All JobsContract Design Engineer JobsContract Design Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX

Contract Design Engineer information

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How much do contract design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract design engineer in Austin, TX is $42.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.01 and $57.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical work arrangements and expectations for a contract design engineer?

Contract Design Engineers often work on specific projects with defined durations, which may require flexibility in both location and hours depending on client needs. You might work independently or as part of an engineering team, collaborating closely with project managers, clients, and other stakeholders to deliver design solutions within set timelines. The role frequently involves juggling multiple projects simultaneously, requiring adaptability and strong organizational skills. This variety can provide exciting opportunities to expand your technical expertise, build a robust professional network, and gain exposure to diverse industries and design challenges.

What is a contract design engineer?

A Contract Design Engineer is a professional who designs and develops products, systems, or components on a temporary or project-based contract. They typically work for multiple companies or clients, applying engineering principles to create efficient and functional designs. Responsibilities may include CAD modeling, prototyping, and collaborating with teams to meet project requirements. Contract roles offer flexibility and varied experience but may require frequent job searching.

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

To thrive as a Contract Design Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, proficiency in CAD software, and a relevant engineering degree such as mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering. Familiarity with industry-standard design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks), project management platforms, and certifications like PE or Chartered Engineer status are often preferred. Strong problem-solving, time management, and effective communication skills help in collaborating with cross-functional teams and meeting project deadlines. These abilities are essential for delivering high-quality design solutions on a contractual basis, ensuring project success and client satisfaction.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Austin, TX? The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:
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Contract Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Design Engineer job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,653 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

Wire Harness Design Engineer II

CesiumAstro

Austin, TX

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are looking to add a Wire Harness Design Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing leading-edge hardware for satellites, spacecraft, and aerospace systems, we would like to hear from you. 

This role focuses on designing the critical power, digital, analog, and RF interconnects that turn boxes into systems. You will have the opportunity to take full ownership of wire harness designs, including schematic development, cable routing, connector selection, and harness assembly drawings. The environment is highly collaborative, working shoulder-to-shoulder with electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and harness assembly technicians to develop cutting-edge space and airborne systems.

The role encompasses the full design process, from defining initial specifications through integration and test. You will also participate in design reviews, providing technical expertise and recommendations to enhance the performance and reliability of wire harness systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Assist the design and development of high-complexity wire harnesses across space and airborne systems and associated GSE.
  • Adherence to requirements and workmanship standards for harness design
  • Leverage preferred parts listing based on component reliability, availability, and manufacturability
  • Inform the definition of design for EMI / EMC compliance, radiation tolerance and space charging environments
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure harness designs align with system-level requirements for performance, manufacturability, and reliability.
  • Support integration, testing, and troubleshooting of harness systems at the box, subsystem, and platform levels.
  • Proliferate design standards and contribute to process improvements to advance the maturity of the wire harness discipline.
  • Work directly with suppliers and contract manufacturers to manage supply chain, build quality and schedule outcomes
  • Present technical solutions in internal and external design reviews; serve as the subject matter expert for interconnect systems.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university. 
  • 2 years of relevant industry or university research experience.
  • Familiarity in harness design tools such as Capital Essentials or Zuken E3.
  • Basic understanding of electrical/mechanical engineering principles, wire routing, controlled impedance, cable shielding, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) considerations.
  • Ability to conduct thorough analysis and testing of wire harness designs to ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, safety regulations, and performance requirements.
  • Exposure to industry standards and regulations related to wire harness design, such as IPC-WHMA-A-620 and/or NASA-STD 8739.4A.
  • Awareness of high-reliability components such as D38999, Micro-D, Nano-D connectors and M227569/M27500 series of wire.
  • Detail-oriented approach with a high level of accuracy in design documentation and technical specifications.
  • Excellent written and spoken communication skills. 
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
  • Experience designing for aerospace environments.
  • Conceptual idea of assembling wire harnesses and necessary tooling.
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.  Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.  
 
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.