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Contract Engineering Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Mid-Level Software Engineer

Columbia, MD ยท On-site

$171K - $203K/yr

Partner directly with contract engineering teams to optimize system performance and user workflows. Maintain detailed technical documentation, diagrams, and standard operating procedures with a level ...

Mid-Level Software Engineer

Columbia, MD ยท On-site

$171K - $203K/yr

Partner directly with contract engineering teams to optimize system performance and user workflows. Maintain detailed technical documentation, diagrams, and standard operating procedures with a level ...

Senior System Administrator

Columbia, MD ยท On-site

$83K - $113K/yr

Partner directly with contract engineering teams to optimize system performance and user workflows. * Maintain detailed technical documentation, diagrams, and standard operating procedures with a ...

Senior System Administrator

Laurel, MD ยท On-site

$164K - $200K/yr

Partner directly with contract engineering teams to optimize system performance and user workflows * Maintain detailed technical documentation, diagrams, and standard operating procedures with a ...

Showing results 21-40

Contract Engineering information

See Washington, DC salary details

$34

$55

$112

How much do contract engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract engineering in Washington, DC 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 does a contract engineer do?

A contract engineer is responsible for managing engineering projects on a temporary basis, often focusing on specific tasks such as design, development, testing, or implementation. They typically work with project teams, adhere to deadlines, and may require knowledge of engineering tools and industry standards. Their role involves ensuring project goals are met efficiently within the contract terms.

Do contract engineers make more money?

Contract engineers often earn higher hourly rates than full-time employees due to the temporary nature of their work and the need for specialized skills. However, they may have less job security and benefits, and total annual income can vary based on project availability and experience. Factors such as industry, location, and certifications also influence earning potential for contract engineers.

What is contract engineering?

Contract engineering refers to the practice of hiring engineers on a temporary or project-specific basis, rather than as permanent employees. Contract engineers work for a set period or until a particular project is completed, often through staffing agencies or as independent contractors. This arrangement allows companies to access specialized skills and expertise as needed while providing engineers with flexibility and exposure to diverse projects. Contract engineers typically handle tasks such as design, development, testing, and project management across various industries.

How does a contract engineer typically balance multiple projects and ensure timely delivery of each contract?

Contract Engineers often manage several projects simultaneously, requiring strong organizational and time-management skills. They regularly coordinate with clients, suppliers, and internal teams to track progress, address issues early, and adjust timelines as needed. Utilizing project management tools and maintaining clear documentation helps them prioritize tasks and deliverables effectively. Open communication and proactive problem-solving are key strategies to meet contract milestones and client expectations.

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 strong background in engineering principles, contract management, and project coordination, often supported by a relevant engineering degree and experience in contract administration. Familiarity with contract management software, project management tools (such as MS Project or Primavera), and industry regulations is essential. Strong negotiation, communication, and attention to detail are vital soft skills for effectively managing client and vendor relationships. These skills ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with contractual and technical requirements.
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Engineering jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Contract Engineering job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,277 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Linux Systems Administrator (HPC) - TS/SCI FSP Required with Security Clearance

KRYPTAURI

Annapolis Junction, MD โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Senior Linux Systems Administrator โ€“ High Performance Computing This role supports CNO Capabilities as a mid-senior level Linux Systems Administrator and handsโ€‘on technical contributor responsible for sustaining and evolving a highโ€‘performance operational IT environment. The ideal candidate takes ownership of Linux systems endโ€‘toโ€‘end, builds durable operational processes, and actively improves the dayโ€‘toโ€‘day productivity of engineers and mission users. While a portion of the work includes advanced GPU and accelerator platforms, the foundation of the role is strong, disciplined Linux systems administration in an operational environment. Job Roles
- Serve as a senior Linux Systems Administrator responsible for the health, performance, and availability of missionโ€‘critical systems.
- Install, configure, tune, and maintain Linux operating systems across standalone and clustered environments.
- Install, configure, and sustain highโ€‘performance computing platforms, including NVIDIA H100, H200, and B300โ€‘class accelerator systems.
- Lead installation, sustainment, and lifecycle management efforts for both new and legacy hardware in structured data center and warehouse environments.
- Uninstall and relocate existing equipment to government data warehouse facilities while preserving configuration integrity and maintaining accurate asset tracking.
- Develop, document, and maintain detailed Linux system configurations, installation procedures, and deployment playbooks to enable repeatable, scalable operations.
- Partner with onsite System Administrators to streamline troubleshooting, escalate priorities when mission timelines require it, and reduce mean time to recovery.
- Identify operational gaps in Linux system coverage and recommend improvements to reduce downtime and improve administrator efficiency.
- Collaborate directly with contract engineering teams to optimize Linux system performance, user workflows, and compute utilization.
- Maintain comprehensive technical documentation, diagrams, and standard operating procedures that allow continuity of support across teams.
- Support virtualization platforms and contribute to longerโ€‘term infrastructure modernization initiatives.
- Adapt to evolving mission requirements, including future integration with AWS, cloudโ€‘connected services, and Large Language Model infrastructure running on Linux platforms. Job Requirements
- Strong, handsโ€‘on Linux systems administration experience in operational or missionโ€‘critical environments.
- Proven experience administering Linux systems supporting computeโ€‘intensive or performanceโ€‘sensitive workloads.
- Ability to troubleshoot complex hardware, operating system, and applicationโ€‘level issues across networked Linux environments.
- Experience working in structured data center or warehouse environments with formal change control and documentation requirements.
- Familiarity with virtualization technologies and hypervisors in Linux environments.
- Demonstrated ability to produce clear, precise, and professional technical documentation.
- Strong communication skills, with experience working directly with engineers and mission users.
- Ability to operate independently while effectively coordinating with distributed support and operations teams.
- Experience installing and maintaining GPUโ€‘accelerated or highโ€‘performance compute platforms, including NVIDIA enterpriseโ€‘class hardware.
- Interest in expanding into cloud, AWS, AI/LLM, and hybrid infrastructure support over time. Education & Experience
- 9 years of relevant professional experience.
- Bachelorโ€™s degree optional.