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Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

System One

Mechanical Engineer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$94 - $96/hr

Minneapolis, Minnesota Type: 12 month Contract Compensation: $94.00 - $96.00 hourly Contractor Work Model: Onsite System One is currently seeking a Mechanical Engineer on a 12 month contract located ...

Naval Air Systems Command

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$121K - $158K/yr

Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days ... the mechanical engineering discipline. 3) Serving as a consultant and advisor on mechanical ...

Bowhead

Mechanical Engineer

Juneau, AK · On-site

Overview MECHANICAL ENGINEER (USCG): Bowhead is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to fill the role of ... Travel (potential for overnight) to meet with CEU Juneau staff and review contract performance is ...

Military Sealift Command

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Norfolk, VA · On-site +1

$56K - $84K/yr

You will serve as a Mechanical Engineer in the Military Sealift Command (MSC), Engineering ... Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days ...

Quantix

Mechanical Engineer

Gaithersburg, MD

Contract to Hire Length: Six months plus Client located in Gaithersburg, Maryland is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for a contract to hire position. Responsibilities include the design and ...

U.S. Pacific Fleet

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Almont, CO · On-site

Summary You will serve as a MECHANICAL ENGINEER in the ENGINEERING and PLANNING DEPT, FLUID ... Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days ...

New

U.S. Pacific Fleet

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Honolulu, HI · On-site

Summary You will serve as a MECHANICAL ENGINEER in the ENGINEERING and PLANNING DEPT, FLUID ... Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days ...

New

U.S. Pacific Fleet

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Almont, CO · On-site

Summary You will serve as a MECHANICAL ENGINEER in the ENGINEERING and PLANNING DEPT, FLUID ... Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days ...

New

Intellectt INC

Mechanical Engineer

Rockford, IL · On-site

Hello, My name is Bipasa , and I'm reaching out from Intellectt Inc . regarding an exciting contract opportunity for a Mechanical Engineer based in Rockford, Illinois with one of our prestigious ...

Mastech Digital

Mechanical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$60 - $65/hr

This is a Contract position, and the client is looking for someone to start immediately. Duration: 12+ Months Contract Location: Northridge, CA Salary: $60.00-$65.00/Hourly Role: Mechanical Engineer ...

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All JobsContract Retired Mechanical Engineer Jobs

Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer information

See salary details

$45.5K

$102.9K

$166.5K

How much do contract retired mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract retired mechanical engineer in the United States is $102,878.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $126,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by contract retired mechanical engineers when joining new projects?

Contract retired mechanical engineers often face the challenge of quickly adapting to different organizational cultures and processes, as each project may use unique tools or methodologies. Additionally, they may need to stay current with new technology or regulations that have evolved since their last full-time role. Collaborating with diverse teams, including younger engineers and cross-functional departments, is also a key aspect, requiring strong communication and flexibility. However, their extensive experience is highly valued for mentoring and solving complex engineering problems.

What is a contract retired mechanical engineer?

A contract retired mechanical engineer is a professional who, after retiring from a full-time engineering career, takes on temporary or project-based work in the mechanical engineering field. These engineers use their extensive experience to consult, mentor, or contribute to specific projects for companies on a contractual basis. This role allows them to stay active in the industry, share their expertise, and work with flexible schedules without the commitments of permanent employment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, extensive industry experience, and a relevant engineering degree, often supported by a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with CAD software, engineering analysis tools, and project management systems is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability help you consult effectively and mentor less experienced engineers. These skills ensure you can deliver high-value expertise, solve technical challenges, and contribute efficiently on a project basis.

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

AspectContract Retired Mechanical EngineerMechanical Designer
CredentialsOften holds PE license, extensive experienceTypically holds a degree in mechanical engineering, may have some certifications
Work EnvironmentConsulting, project-based, flexibleDesign offices, engineering firms, manufacturing
Employer & Industry UsageFreelance or consulting roles in various industriesDesign departments in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace

The main difference is that Contract Retired Mechanical Engineers bring extensive experience and often hold professional licenses, working on consulting or project basis, while Mechanical Designers focus on creating detailed designs, typically with formal education and working within design teams. Both roles are essential in engineering projects but differ in scope and experience level.

More about Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Retired Mechanical Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Retired Mechanical Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer jobs are:
Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,878 per year, or $49.5 per hour.
Mechanical Engineer - Contract

Mechanical Engineer - Contract

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Devens, MA • On-site

$45 - $65/hr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

About Commonwealth Fusion Systems: 

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.

Combining decades of research, top talent, and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And we're working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future. 

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private fusion company in the world.

Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team. 

If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.

Join the power movement as a Contract Mechanical Engineer

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Mechanical Engineer to join our manufacturing team. In this role, you will be responsible for providing technical expertise during the commissioning, implementation, and integration of manufacturing equipment. You will work closely with our production team to ensure that our manufacturing processes are optimized for efficiency, quality, and safety.

What you'll do:
  • Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) of equipment
  • Troubleshoot mechanical issues and provide solutions to ensure equipment operates efficiently
  • Collaborate with production and engineering teams to optimize manufacturing processes and improve equipment performance
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives for manufacturing equipment to increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve quality.
  • Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to resolve manufacturing issues
  • Ensure compliance with all safety requirements
  • Work with external vendors and suppliers to ensure the timely delivery of equipment and materials
  • Conceptualize and detail new manufacturing equipment for scaled up manufacturing processes
  • Run experiments to determine the feasibility of new manufacturing processes and translate those learnings into practical designs
What we're looking for:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
  • 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with a focus on manufacturing equipment
  • 3+ years of manufacturing equipment and tooling design
  • Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, including hydraulics, pneumatics, and motion control
  • Experience with 3D CAD packages and 2D drawings
  • Experience with Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) of equipment
  • Understanding of GD&T and its application
  • Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
  • Experience with commissioning and startup of manufacturing equipment
Bonus points for:
  • Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, including hydraulics, pneumatics, and motion control
  • Experience developing manufacturing equipment and tooling for a novel process
  • Experience with production ramp-up and optimization of manufacturing processes
  • Experience with automated equipment and robotics
Must-have requirements:
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
  • Perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, and sitting, for extended periods of time
  • Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
  • Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
This is a contract role
#LI-Onsite
 
 

At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.

We value diversity deeply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally, regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law.

This role requires compliance with U.S. laws concerning the export of controlled or protected technologies or information (collectively, “Export Control Laws"). Any offer of employment will be contingent on the need for compliance with such Export Control Laws.