1

Contract Electronics Design Engineer Jobs in Ridgecrest, CA

Software Developer

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

The Tactical Air Range Integration Facility (TARIF) Program, under the Saalex TSS contract, is ... Essential Functions: Software Design, Lifecycle, & Deployment: * Full Lifecycle Development:

The Tactical Air Range Integration Facility (TARIF) Program, under the Saalex TSS contract, is ... Essential Functions: Software Design, Lifecycle, & Deployment: * Full Lifecycle Development:

Software Developer

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

The Tactical Air Range Integration Facility (TARIF) Program, under the Saalex TSS contract, is ... Essential Functions: Software Design, Lifecycle, & Deployment: * Full Lifecycle Development:

Embedded Firmware Developer

CA · On-site

$150K - $235K/yr

... term contracts. By providing a wide array of professional services and products, we help our ... Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Electronics Design Engineer information

See Ridgecrest, CA salary details

$33.8K

$103.8K

$146K

How much do contract electronics design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract electronics design engineer in Ridgecrest, CA is $103,769.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,900.00 and $120,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract electronics design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Electronics Design Engineer, you need a strong background in electronic circuit design, PCB layout, and proficiency with industry standards, usually supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD tools such as Altium Designer or Eagle, and an understanding of regulatory compliance like IPC standards, are typically required. Excellent problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help you efficiently deliver client-focused solutions and work in diverse teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for meeting project deadlines, ensuring product reliability, and maintaining high client satisfaction in a competitive, fast-paced environment.

What are some common challenges faced by contract electronics design engineers when working with new clients or projects?

Contract Electronics Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as quickly adapting to new team dynamics, understanding unique client requirements, and integrating into existing development processes. Since project scopes and expectations can vary widely, effective communication and thorough documentation are essential to clarify deliverables and timelines. Additionally, engineers must be proactive in staying current with industry standards and technologies to ensure seamless collaboration and meet project specifications.

What is a contract electronics design engineer?

Contract Electronics Design Engineers are professionals who are hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and test electronic systems or components for a variety of industries. They typically work with clients to create custom electronic solutions, such as circuit boards, embedded systems, or control systems, and may be involved in all stages from concept through to prototype and production. Their roles often require expertise in electronic hardware, software integration, and compliance with industry standards. These engineers provide flexibility for companies needing specialized skills without committing to permanent hires.

What is the difference between Contract Electronics Design Engineer vs Electronics Design Engineer?

AspectContract Electronics Design EngineerElectronics Design Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in electronics or electrical engineering; certifications varySame as contract role, often with additional professional certifications
Work EnvironmentProject-based, often freelance or temporary contractsFull-time employment in companies or organizations
Industry UsageCommon in consulting, freelance projects, or short-term assignmentsStandard role within electronics and tech companies

The main difference is that Contract Electronics Design Engineers work on temporary, project-specific assignments, often freelance, while Electronics Design Engineers are typically employed full-time by companies. Both roles require similar skills and credentials, but their work arrangements and employment status differ.

Infographic showing various Contract Electronics Design Engineer job openings in Ridgecrest, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,769 per year, or $49.9 per hour.

INTERDISCIPLINARY ENGINEER/SCIENTIST (PROGRAM MANAGER)

US Department of the Navy

China Lake, CA • On-site

$104K/yr

Other

Posted 10 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 379 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

You will serve as the SSM (Surface to Surface Missiles) Technical Project Office's (TPO) Deputy Director in the Targeting and Kinetic Effects Group (TAKE-G) of NAVAIRWARCENWPNDIV CHINA LAKE.Qualifications:In Addition to meeting the Basic Educational Requirements:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (DP-03) or pay band in the federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as a professional Engineer or Scientist performing some or all of the following: 1) applying systems engineering principles to oversee the technical integrity, requirements definition, and test and evaluation of complex weapons systems; 2) Program and/or project management within the defense acquisition process, specifically involving the balancing of budgets, schedules, and resources while evaluating contract deliverables and technical data packages; 3) Ability to formulate innovative approaches to resolve unprecedented technological problems and identify critical risks related to system performance, cost, and schedule; 4) Experience directing the technical efforts of senior and journey-level personnel, to include dividing complex areas of engineering effort among staff, reviewing the work of other engineers, and providing final technical approval for advanced deliverables, specification change notices, and technical review data packages.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf; https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/; https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/mathematics-series-1520/;/https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/computer-science-series-1550/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org
OR
Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.
OR
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above)
OR
Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least one year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily, there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: (BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS visit opm:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/mathematics-series-1520/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/computer-science-series-1550/
A transcript must be submitted with your application. See Required Documents for additional information.
Employment Type: OTHER

What United States Navy employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


US Navy logo

About US Navy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Social media