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Contract Engineer Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM (NOW HIRING)

Vantage Systems

Engineer IV

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$129K - $157K/yr

We are looking for highly qualified candidates for a contract positioned onsite at the Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) SSHINE contract. Engineer IV ...

Vantage Systems

Engineer II

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$99K - $122K/yr

We are looking for highly qualified candidates for a contract positioned onsite at the Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) SSHINE contract. Engineer II ...

Vantage Systems

Engineer I

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$82K - $102K/yr

We are looking for highly qualified candidates for a contract positioned onsite at the Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) SSHINE contract. Engineer I ...

Vantage Systems

Engineer III

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$117K - $143K/yr

We are looking for highly qualified candidates for a contract positioned onsite at the Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) SSHINE contract. Engineer ...

AeroVironment

Contracts Manager

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$86K - $115K/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 Administrator

Albuquerque, NM · Hybrid

Perform contract administrative duties throughout the contract lifecycle including, but not limited ... program management, engineering, product support, finance, quality, supply chain management ...

Tutulu

Senior Contracts Specialist L3

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$145K - $155K/yr

As a Senior Contract Specialist Level 3, you will assist the Contracts Officer in planning and ... Engineering & Support, Application Integration & Development, Software & Hardware Engineering ...

Tutulu

Senior Contracts Specialist L3

Albuquerque, NM

$95K/yr

As a Senior Contract Specialist Level 3, you will assist the Contracts Officer in planning and ... Engineering & Support, Application Integration & Development, Software & Hardware Engineering ...

Tutulu

Senior Contracts Specialist L3

Albuquerque, NM

$145K - $155K/yr

As a Senior Contract Specialist Level 3, you will assist the Contracts Officer in planning and ... Engineering & Support, Application Integration & Development, Software & Hardware Engineering ...

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All JobsContract Engineer JobsContract Engineer Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM

Contract Engineer information

See Rio Rancho, NM salary details

$28

$46

$93

How much do contract engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract engineer in Rio Rancho, NM is $46.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.65 and $47.69 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 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.
More about Contract Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Rio Rancho, NM? The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Rio Rancho, NM are:
What cities near Rio Rancho, NM are hiring for Contract Engineer jobs? Cities near Rio Rancho, NM with the most Contract Engineer job openings:
Contract Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Engineer job openings in Rio Rancho, NM as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,736 per year, or $46 per hour.

Engineer IV

Vantage Systems

Albuquerque, NM • On-site

$129K - $157K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Vantage Systems, Inc. (Vantage), is a pioneering force in the realm of multi-disciplinary engineering services for spaceflight projects. Since our establishment in 1992, we have consistently delivered progressive solutions to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) space flight community earning recognition for our unwavering integrity and dedication to delivering top-tier solutions that align with the U.S. space program missions.

For over three decades, Vantage’s commitment to quality service and innovation has driven our rapid growth. Fueled by a deep understanding of the ever-evolving U.S. space program, we continuously pioneer progressive solutions to address NASA’s & DoD’s pressing challenges. Our unwavering commitment to exceptional service is built upon a foundation of ethics, honesty, and a people-centric approach. Join us as we forge ahead, combining our expertise with NASA’s legacy of excellence to shape the future of space exploration.

We are looking for highly qualified candidates for a contract positioned onsite at the Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) SSHINE contract.


Engineer IV duties include the following, performed at a senior-journeyman level:

  • Support development of government flight experiment and space technology requirements, mission scope, design tradeoffs, CONOPS, conceptual designs, and mission analyses.
  • Perform analyses and evaluations through experimental testing, modeling/simulation, and engineering analysis.
  • Support MBSE: model development, evaluation, and testing.
  • Support specialized systems engineering (mechanical, thermal, electrical, structural) for spacecraft and balloon designs.
  • Travel to other Government agencies and contractor locations for design and test reviews, briefings, conferences, and meetings.
  • Prepare and present monthly status reports on activity and document lessons learned.
  • Support full life-cycle technology implementation: hardware/software design, development, testing, and re-engineering.
  • Research, development, and planning for future space system AI&T needs (new capabilities, planning tools, test concepts, data reduction/reporting tools).
  • Directly support flight operations: on-orbit operations, ops testing, anomaly prediction/detection, data trending, fault detection, config management, and root cause analyses.
  • Travel to other Government agencies and contractor locations for design and test reviews, briefings, conferences, and meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Education/ Years of Relevant Experience: 15+ years of experience with BS degree or 10+ years of experience with MS degree or 5+ years of experience with PhD degree
  • Clearance: TS with eligibility for SCI Poly