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Contract Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Chenega Mios

Contract Specialist III

Washington, DC · On-site

Contract Specialist III Washington, DC Are you ready to enhance your skills and build your career ... Master of Arts/Master of Science/Master of Engineering (MA/MS/ME) degree * 10+ years of relevant ...

M.C. Dean, Inc

Contracts Specialist 5

Tysons, VA · On-site

Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful ... Take prime responsibility for the contract management function for the division working with the ...

AeroVironment

Contracts Manager

Arlington, VA · On-site

$102K - $137K/yr

... and engineering, to streamline contract workflows and mitigate risks. Your expertise will be essential in evaluating contract performance, managing relationships, and ensuring the execution of ...

AeroVironment

Contracts Manager

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

$102K - $136K/yr

... and engineering, to streamline contract workflows and mitigate risks. Your expertise will be essential in evaluating contract performance, managing relationships, and ensuring the execution of ...

AeroVironment

Sr. Contracts Administrator

Arlington, VA · On-site

... contract terms and prepare recommendations and risk reviews for management. * Coordinate flow-downs of terms and conditions with all functional departments including program management, engineering ...

M.C. Dean, Inc

Contracts Manager 4

Tysons, VA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries. Responsibilities In this role as Contract Manager 4 , you will be ...

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All JobsContract Engineer JobsContract Engineer Jobs in Washington

Contract Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$34

$55

$112

How much do contract engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract engineer in Washington is $55.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.54 and $57.45 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 Washington?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Washington are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in Washington are hiring for Contract Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Contract Engineer job openings:

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

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

Contract Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 44% Full Time, 13% Temporary, and 43% Contract. Highlights an 85% In-person, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,277 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Contract Specialist

Washington, DC • On-site

SD Department of Veterans Affairs
See more jobs at SD Department of Veterans Affairsexternal

$89K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Apply contracting regulations, policies, and procedures to administer contracts.

  • Prepare solicitation documents and conduct negotiations for pre-award and post-award activities.

  • Review contractor work to ensure compliance with contractual standards.

Job description

Serves as Contract Specialist within one of the Office of Facilities Acquisition, Office of Procurement, Acquisition & Logistics (OALC), Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The office provides direct support functions for: fiduciary management of Department of Veterans Affairs budgets, contract administration for architectural and engineering services, construction consultants and construction services, contracts for personal services, and a wide array of administrative programs.Qualifications:To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/09/2026.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Contracting Series, 1102, Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR):
This Contract Specialist has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), that must be met prior to or after appointment.
GS-12 Requirements:
1. A four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field. [NOTE: A TRANSCRIPT WITH NAME, SCHOOL NAME, AND DATE OF CONFERRAL MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION]
OR
2. At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
AND
GS-12 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to:
  • Applying contracting regulations, policies, procedures and requirements to administer contracts.
  • Applying pre-solicitation and solicitation principles, requirements, and processes to prepare solicitation documents including cost and pricing standards.
  • Experience using negotiation techniques to conduct pre-award and post-award negotiations such as supplemental agreements or settlement actions.
  • Experience in cost and price analysis techniques to prepare proposals against previous history, actual expenditures and established rates to determine negotiation positions.
  • Utilizing oral and written communications to convey technical contract regulations and requirements, and to document contracting methods and techniques employed to obtain negotiation objectives.
Certification Requirements GS-12: Certification Requirements GS-12: A FAC-C (Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting) Professional (Legacy FAC-C Level II or higher) certification or DAWIA equivalent is required within 24 months of appointment for a GS-12 Contracting Specialist. [NOTE: IF YOU POSSESS THIS CERTIFICATION, A COPY MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION]
GS-13 Basic Requirements:

1. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher-level contracting positions, including at least 4 years' experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower GS-12 grade level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.
AND
2. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. [NOTE: A TRANSCRIPT WITH NAME, SCHOOL NAME, AND DATE OF CONFERRAL MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION]
3. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions in the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver.
AND
Specialized Experience for the GS-13 level of this position: Applicants must have one year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-12) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to:
  • Serving as a senior-level expert, for complex, high-value, or urgent requirements.
  • Overseeing preparation of procurement instruments; negotiates the terms and conditions of a contract.
  • Reviewing work completed by contractors to ensure it meets contractual standards.
  • Analyzing price or cost data to recommend specific contracting actions.
  • Participating (formally or informally) in an acquisition team and/or integrated program/project team.
Certification Requirements GS-13: To meet the agency's' mandatory training requirements as prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level, applicants must have obtained a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting FAC-C Professional or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA] Contracting Professional) certification. [NOTE: A COPY OF CERTIFICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION].
NOTE: Current/former VA or government employees must have successfully completed a FAC-C Professional (or Legacy Contracting Level II or higher) or DAWIA Contracting Professional (or Legacy Contracting Level II or higher) certification.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be found well qualified, applicants must meet the following qualifications: .
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and other Federal acquisition regulations, such as VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR), VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM), etc.
  • Knowledge of acquisition principles, policies and processes pertaining to a major construction and/or Architect-Engineer acquisition program, a major supply chain, logistics or health care organization.
  • Experience with a variety of contract types and purchasing types. Has experience mentoring and training contract officers and reviewing other contracting officers' work.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify issues, recommend improvements, implements and deliver high-quality customer service.
  • Experience in dealing with/resolving complex issues requiring courtesy and effective communication skills (both oral and written) as a participant/leader (formally or informally) in an acquisition team and/or integrated program/project team
Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.Education:There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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