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Contract Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Contract Specialist

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$100K - $115K/yr

Collaborates closely with international/military sales, production, engineering, finance teams, and quality department throughout the contract lifecycle * Stays current on government procurement ...

CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Portland, OR · On-site +1

$54K - $125K/yr

... and engineering. Researches, interprets, analyzes, and applies all regulations, business and ... Prepares solicitation, amendment, and contract documents incorporating applicable terms, conditions ...

Biamp Systems is seeking an experienced Hardware Test Engineer III for a contract-to-hire role. Responsibilities include designing production tests, developing test fixtures, and working with flying ...

Biamp Systems is seeking an experienced Hardware Test Engineer III for a contract-to-hire role. Responsibilities include designing production tests, developing test fixtures, and working with flying ...

Contracts Manager - MWH

Gresham, OR · On-site

$94K - $126K/yr

Minimum 5 years' experience working in-house for a professional services company, preferably in engineering or construction. * Minimum 5 years' contract management, procurement or project management ...

Contracts Manager - MWH

Gresham, OR

$94K - $126K/yr

Minimum 5 years' experience working in-house for a professional services company, preferably in engineering or construction. * Minimum 5 years' contract management, procurement or project management ...

Contracts Manager - MWH

Gresham, OR

$94K - $126K/yr

Minimum 5 years' experience working in-house for a professional services company, preferably in engineering or construction. * Minimum 5 years' contract management, procurement or project management ...

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Contract Engineer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$31

$52

$105

How much do contract engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract engineer in Portland, OR is $52.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.75 and $53.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Contract Engineers?

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 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.

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 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 the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Portland, OR? The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Engineer jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Contract Engineer jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Contract Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Contract Engineer job openings in Portland, OR as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,288 per year, or $52.1 per hour.
Mechanical Engineer - Automation Systems (Contract)

Mechanical Engineer - Automation Systems (Contract)

Twist Bioscience

Portland, OR • On-site

Contractor

Posted 10 days ago


Twist Bioscience rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Mechanical Engineer - Automation Systems (2 -3 months Contract in Wilsonville, OR)
About the Role
Twist Bioscience is expanding its automation capabilities to support significant increases in manufacturing capacity. We are designing and building custom automated systems in-house and are seeking a hands-on Contract Mechanical Engineer to help bring these systems from concept through implementation.
We are seeking a hands-on Contract Mechanical Engineer to help design, build, assemble, integrate, and deploy custom automation systems. The ideal candidate enjoys taking products from concept through prototype and into working systems, spending time both at the CAD workstation as well as on the lab floor assembling and testing equipment.
This position is on-site in Wilsonville, Oregon.
Responsibilities
  • Design and develop automated systems using SolidWorks that meet system and hardware requirements.
  • Design custom mechanical components and integrate off-the-shelf hardware into complete automation systems.
  • Specify and procure mechanical, electromechanical, and fluidics components required for the system.
  • Collaborate with systems engineers, electrical engineers, scientists, technicians, and project managers to refine system requirements and optimize designs.
  • Perform mechanical analyses, including tolerance stack-up analysis, to ensure robust system performance.
  • Design and build test fixtures to evaluate concepts, de-risk critical features, and validate subsystem performance.
  • Support systems engineering activities during prototype development and experimental testing.
  • Assist with fluidics and electrical integration, documentation, and overall system architecture.
  • Assemble mechanical subsystems and complete automation platforms, working closely with engineers to ensure proper fit, function, and manufacturability.
  • Build, debug, calibrate, troubleshoot, and verify prototype systems alongside technicians and engineering staff.
  • Create and maintain complete engineering documentation, including:
    • 3D models
    • Part files
    • Assembly models
    • Manufacturing drawings
    • Bills of Materials (BOMs)
  • Maintain engineering documentation and revision control using Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE.
  • Support part ordering, vendor interactions, and component tracking as needed.
  • Participate in design reviews and incorporate feedback throughout the development lifecycle.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with 2+ years of relevant industry experience, or a master's degree in mechanical engineering.
  • Highly proficient with SolidWorks, including part, assembly, and drawing creation.
  • Experience designing custom automation equipment, robotics, or mechatronic systems.
  • Experience specifying and integrating electromechanical components, including motors, actuators, sensors, and motion hardware.
  • Experience designing fluidics systems, including integration of pumps, valves, regulators, sensors, tubing, manifolds, and related components.
  • Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, manufacturing processes, and design for assembly.
  • Experience creating complete engineering documentation and BOMs.
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and technical writing skills.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with evolving requirements and multiple concurrent priorities.
  • Strong attention to detail and excellent documentation practices.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience developing laboratory automation systems.
  • Experience working with prototype development and rapid iteration.
  • Familiarity with tolerance analysis and design verification methodologies.
  • Experience with PLM systems, particularly Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE.
  • Experience supporting system assembly, debugging, calibration, and verification.
  • Familiarity with regulated environments or life sciences instrumentation is a plus.
About Twist Bioscience
Twist Bioscience synthesizes genes from scratch, known as "writing" DNA. Just as children learn to both read and write, the next phase of development for the genomics revolution is the ability to write DNA.
At Twist Bioscience, we work in service of people who are changing the world for the better. In fields such as health care, agriculture, industrial chemicals and data storage, our unique silicon-based DNA Synthesis Platform provides precision at a scale that is otherwise unavailable to our customers.
Twist Bioscience Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Twist Bioscience Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic characteristics, or any other category protected by law.

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