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Contract Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Ridgecrest, CA

... of diverse electronic/mechanical equipment and systems in accordance with engineering ... contract requirements * Serve as a senior technician and assist in the training of other ...

JT4, LLC provides engineering and technical support to multiple western test ranges for the U.S ... Technically, the incumbent will be proficient with electro-mechanical installation/maintenance ...

Department Manager - China Lake

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$142.42 - $157.42/hr

JT4, LLC provides engineering and technical support to multiple western test ranges for the U.S ... Technically, the incumbent will be proficient with electro-mechanical installation/maintenance ...

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JT4, LLC provides engineering and technical support to multiple western test ranges for the U.S ... Technically, the incumbent will be proficient with electro-mechanical installation/maintenance ...

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Showing results 1-20

Contract Mechanical Engineer information

See Ridgecrest, CA salary details

$45.2K

$102.2K

$165.4K

How much do contract mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract mechanical engineer in Ridgecrest, CA is $102,169.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,900.00 and $125,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a contract mechanical engineer do?

Contract mechanical engineers are independent contractors who work directly with their own clients on projects. You find these professionals in a broad range of industries, including robotics, medical devices, and manufacturing. As a contract mechanical engineer, you design a product or machine according to your client's specifications, analyze the blueprints to ensure they are accurate, test a model to identify any potential issues, and repair them as necessary. Your job duties typically involve the extensive usage of specialized computer programs, such as CAD for technical drawings. Depending on the project, you may collaborate with other engineers on different aspects of the plans to ensure they do not conflict with other parts of the project.

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

To thrive as a Contract Mechanical Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant engineering degree, often complemented by a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), finite element analysis tools, and project management systems is typically required. Strong communication, adaptability, and time management skills help you excel in diverse project environments and collaborate effectively with clients and teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering high-quality engineering solutions on time and within budget in a contract-based setting.

What is a contract mechanical engineer?

Contract Mechanical Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test mechanical devices and systems, but work on a contractual basis rather than as permanent employees. They may be hired for specific projects or periods by companies needing specialized expertise. Their responsibilities can include creating technical drawings, overseeing manufacturing processes, and ensuring products meet quality standards. Contract roles offer flexibility and variety in work, but may not provide the same benefits or job security as permanent positions.

What are some common challenges faced by contract mechanical engineers when working on short-term projects?

Contract Mechanical Engineers often need to quickly adapt to new team dynamics and project requirements, as short-term assignments can vary widely in scope, tools, and expectations. They may face challenges such as limited onboarding time, integrating with established teams, and managing multiple projects simultaneously. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential to succeed, as contract engineers must rapidly build rapport with colleagues and deliver results within tight deadlines. Additionally, proactively seeking feedback and clarifying project goals early can help navigate these challenges and ensure project success.

What is the difference between Contract Mechanical Engineer vs Contract Mechanical Designer?

AspectContract Mechanical EngineerContract Mechanical Designer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, possibly PE licenseBachelor's degree in Mechanical Design, CAD certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentEngineering firms, manufacturing, product developmentDesign studios, manufacturing, product development
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across engineering and manufacturing sectorsCommon in design and product development sectors
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for engineering roles involving analysis and designCompared for roles focused on detailed design and CAD work

Contract Mechanical Engineers focus on designing, analyzing, and testing mechanical systems, requiring engineering credentials. Contract Mechanical Designers primarily work on creating detailed CAD models and drawings, often with design certifications. Both roles are vital in manufacturing and product development, but they differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Engineer jobs in Ridgecrest, CA? The most popular types of Mechanical Engineer jobs in Ridgecrest, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Ridgecrest, CA? For Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Ridgecrest, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Ridgecrest, CA are hiring for Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities near Ridgecrest, CA with the most Contract Mechanical Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Contract Mechanical Engineer job openings in Ridgecrest, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $102,169 per year, or $49.1 per hour.

INTERDISCIPLINARY ENGINEER/SCIENTIST (PROGRAM MANAGER)

US Department of the Navy

China Lake, CA • On-site

$104K/yr

Other

Posted 12 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 379 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

You will serve as the SSM (Surface to Surface Missiles) Technical Project Office's (TPO) Deputy Director in the Targeting and Kinetic Effects Group (TAKE-G) of NAVAIRWARCENWPNDIV CHINA LAKE.Qualifications:In Addition to meeting the Basic Educational Requirements:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (DP-03) or pay band in the federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as a professional Engineer or Scientist performing some or all of the following: 1) applying systems engineering principles to oversee the technical integrity, requirements definition, and test and evaluation of complex weapons systems; 2) Program and/or project management within the defense acquisition process, specifically involving the balancing of budgets, schedules, and resources while evaluating contract deliverables and technical data packages; 3) Ability to formulate innovative approaches to resolve unprecedented technological problems and identify critical risks related to system performance, cost, and schedule; 4) Experience directing the technical efforts of senior and journey-level personnel, to include dividing complex areas of engineering effort among staff, reviewing the work of other engineers, and providing final technical approval for advanced deliverables, specification change notices, and technical review data packages.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf; https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/; https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/mathematics-series-1520/;/https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/computer-science-series-1550/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org
OR
Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.
OR
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above)
OR
Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least one year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily, there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: (BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS visit opm:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/mathematics-series-1520/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/computer-science-series-1550/
A transcript must be submitted with your application. See Required Documents for additional information.
Employment Type: OTHER

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National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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