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Contract Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

@Orchard

Embedded Hardware Engineer

Colorado Springs, CO

$140K - $180K/yr

Embedded Hardware / Ethernet Switch Engineer Colorado Springs, CO (100% On-Site, 5 days/week) Contract US Citizenship Required @Orchard LLC has an immediate need to fulfill a long-term contract role ...

Trace3

Contract Manager - T3G

Colorado Springs, CO

$87K - $117K/yr

The Contract Manager is a senior business and compliance professional responsible for the full lifecycle management of one or more government engineering service delivery contracts - from award ...

Trace3

Contract Manager - T3G

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$87K - $117K/yr

Equipped with elite engineering and dynamic innovation, we empower IT executives and their ... The Contract Manager is a senior business and compliance professional responsible for the full ...

State of Colorado

Contract Administrator III

Denver, CO · Hybrid

$59K - $95K/yr

In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services ... Contracts and Purchasing: Independently draft contracts, amendments, and renewals in accordance ...

State of Colorado

Contract Administrator III

Denver, CO · Hybrid

$59K - $95K/yr

In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services ... Contracts and Purchasing: Independently draft contracts, amendments, and renewals in accordance ...

Spectra Logic

Contract - Sr. Thermal Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

About the Role We're looking for an experienced Mechanical or Thermal Engineer to join our team on a short-term contract focused on designing and validating a dedicated cooling system for datacenter ...

State of Colorado

Contract Administrator III

Denver, CO · On-site

$59K - $95K/yr

The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non-residential service providers ... In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services ...

Spectra Logic

Contract - Sr. Thermal Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Description About the Role We're looking for an experienced Mechanical or Thermal Engineer to join our team on a short-term contract focused on designing and validating a dedicated cooling system for ...

USAJOBS - Search

Contract Specialist

Montrose, CO

$106K/yr

... Engineer contracts, and interagency agreements in support of WAPA's mission. This is NOT A REMOTE POSITION. For WAPA employees, location is negotiable, limited to their current duty station; all ...

USAJOBS - Search

Contract Specialist

Lakewood, CO

$106K/yr

... Engineer contracts, and interagency agreements in support of WAPA's mission. This is NOT A REMOTE POSITION. For WAPA employees, location is negotiable, limited to their current duty station; all ...

Corden Pharma Colorado

Sr. Project Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$105K - $120K/yr

CordenPharma is a leading full-service Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO ... The Sr. Project Engineer manages multiple, higher value projects over a diverse number of ...

USAJOBS - Search

Contract Specialist

Loveland, CO

$106K/yr

... Engineer contracts, and interagency agreements in support of WAPA's mission. This is NOT A REMOTE POSITION. For WAPA employees, location is negotiable, limited to their current duty station; all ...

Cordenpharma

Sr. Project Engineer

Hygiene, CO · On-site

$105 - $120/hr

Provides direction to contract engineers. Fosters a project team atmosphere that facilitates positive employee morale. Willingness to take on significant challenges and difficult assignments without ...

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All JobsContract Engineer JobsContract Engineer Jobs in Colorado

Contract Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$31

$51

$104

How much do contract engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract engineer in Colorado is $51.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.22 and $53.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract engineer?

Contract Engineers are professionals who manage and oversee contracts related to engineering projects. They are responsible for drafting, evaluating, negotiating, and executing contracts between companies and clients, vendors, or subcontractors. Their work ensures that all terms and requirements are clear, legal, and beneficial to all parties involved. Contract Engineers also help resolve disputes, monitor compliance, and manage project risks related to contractual obligations.

What does a contract engineer do?

As a contract engineer, you provide temporary support for a company that needs help. In this role, you may help design a product or structure, provide guidance to builders working off of your plans, or evaluate a company's existing system to be sure the proposed engineering plan matches their capabilities. Many aspects of this job depend on the type of engineering support a company needs. For example, some contract engineers focus heavily on the mechanical aspects of a project, while others help hire contractors, evaluate proposals, and answer questions related to the project.

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

To thrive as a Contract Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, contract management, and project planning, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with contract management software, procurement systems, and industry-specific regulations or certifications such as PMP or NEC is often required. Strong negotiation, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you manage client expectations and resolve contract disputes. These abilities ensure contracts are delivered on time, within budget, and meet both technical and legal requirements.

What are some common challenges contract engineers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Contract Engineers often juggle several projects at once, each with distinct timelines, client expectations, and compliance requirements. A common challenge is ensuring effective communication across all stakeholders while maintaining meticulous documentation and meeting strict deadlines. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong organizational skills and adaptability to shifting project priorities. Collaborating closely with legal, procurement, and technical teams is essential to resolve issues quickly and keep projects on track.

What is the difference between Contract Engineer vs Project Engineer?

AspectContract EngineerProject Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, relevant certifications (e.g., PE, PMP)Bachelor's in Engineering, relevant certifications (e.g., PMP)
Work EnvironmentTemporary or project-specific roles, often freelance or consultingPermanent or long-term roles within projects
Employer & Industry UsageOil & gas, construction, manufacturing, consulting firmsConstruction, engineering firms, infrastructure projects
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Contract Engineers typically work on a temporary basis, focusing on specific projects or tasks, often with consulting firms or as freelancers. Project Engineers are usually employed full-time within organizations, managing ongoing projects from start to finish. Both roles require engineering credentials and certifications, but their employment types and work environments differ significantly.

More about Contract Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Engineer jobs in Colorado?

For Contract Engineer jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Engineer jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Engineer jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Contract Engineer jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Contract Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Engineer jobs in CO?

For Contract Engineer jobs in CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Contract Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Engineer job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 12% Temporary, and 41% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,024 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Embedded Hardware Engineer

@Orchard

Colorado Springs, CO

$140K - $180K/yr

Contractor

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Embedded Hardware / Ethernet Switch Engineer

Colorado Springs, CO (100% On-Site, 5 days/week)

Contract

US Citizenship Required

@Orchard LLC has an immediate need to fulfill a long-term contract role as an Embedded Hardware Engineer with Ethernet Switch experience. The role is in support of a client that builds secure, resilient, micro-edge infrastructure designed to protect critical communications and data against modern threats. Our client combines advanced hardware, embedded systems, and software-defined networking to deliver high-performance technology for defense, critical infrastructure, and national security environments.

Role Overview

The Engineering team is seeking a hands-on Contract Engineer specializing in embedded board bring-up and Microsemi Ethernet switch architectures. In this role, you will diagnose, debug, and resolve hardware and configuration issues on Microsemi Ethernet switches deployed within embedded edge hardware systems.

You will work closely with hardware and software engineering teams on-site at our Colorado Springs facility, performing hardware fixes, configuring switch fabrics using vendor toolsets, and writing low-level C code to ensure robust communication across our hardware platforms.

Key Responsibilities

  • Board-Level Systems Bring-Up: Lead and execute low-level hardware bring-up and functional verification for embedded boards featuring Microsemi Ethernet switches.
  • Microsemi Switch Debug & Configuration: Configure, test, and troubleshoot Microsemi Ethernet switch chips using specialized vendor software/GUI tools and register-level configuration.
  • Hardware Troubleshooting & Remediation: Identify hardware-level defects, signal integrity or layout issues, and perform board modifications or hardware fixes on Ethernet switch silicon and supporting circuitry.
  • Embedded C Development: Write, modify, and integrate firmware and driver code in C to interface with Ethernet switch registers, PHYs, and system controllers.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner on-site with hardware design engineers and systems teams to trace packet routing issues, diagnose bus/interface bottlenecks, and validate system reliability.

Requirements & Qualifications

Mandatory Prerequisites

  • Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen (due to compliance and defense program requirements).
  • Microsemi Ethernet Switches: Proven experience configuring and debugging Microsemi (Microchip) Ethernet switch platforms (e.g., SparX, VSC series) in embedded implementations.
  • Board Bring-Up: Demonstrated track record of bringing up complex, custom embedded hardware boards from first power-on to fully stable operation.
  • Software/Firmware Capabilities: Hands-on experience developing low-level software/drivers in C for embedded environments.
  • Hardware Debugging Tools: Hands-on experience with hardware lab equipment (logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, JTAG debuggers, packet sniffers) to isolate signal, timing, and protocol issues.
  • Ethernet Protocols: Strong understanding of Layer 2/Layer 3 networking fundamentals, VLANs, QoS, MAC/PHY interfaces (SGMII, RGMII, QSGMII), and packet switching concepts.

Preferred Skills

  • Experience with Microsemi’s IStaax / MESA / MEBA software API frameworks.
  • Background in high-reliability, ruggedized, or defense electronics.
  • Familiarity with hardware design principles (schematic review, layout considerations for high-speed signals).

Compensation: The anticipated base salary range is $140,000.00 to $180,000.00. The full compensation package is determined by experience and qualifications. Our client offers a competitive benefits package to all staff members.

Established in 2010, @Orchard LLC has an exceptional reputation, providing staffing solutions to time-sensitive talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI.  Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skill set, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atOrchard.com.