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Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

$114K - $149K/yr

Summary You will serve as a MECHANICAL ENGINEER in the UNDERSEA WEAPONS DEPARTMENT, UNDERSEA ... Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days ...

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 ...

Overview Mechanical Engineer: Bowhead is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support an upcoming ... US Citizenship is a requirement for this contract. Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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Showing results 1-20

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 Aug 7, 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?

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:
Infographic showing various Contract Retired Mechanical Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,878 per year, or $49.5 per hour.

$106K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

29th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

Summary
This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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  • You will perform mechanical engineering design for a wide variety of installation shore facility types.
  • You will analyze and design extensive engineering alterations and modifications to existing facilities to meet customer needs.
  • You will provide technical guidance, consultation, and support in developing initial project planning documents, Request for Proposals (RFPs), plans, specifications, studies, reports, and other design work products.
  • You will ensure quality control (QC) is maintained in the execution of in-house design.
  • You will identify areas of risk associated with advanced planning, design and construction and develop mitigation strategies or alternatives.
  • You will prepare statements of work and government estimates for design, develop pre-negotiation position, and assist in negotiations.
  • You will provide post construction award services (PCAS), including review and approval of contractor's submittals for conformance with the requirements of the contract drawings and specifications.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a current valid United States driver's license.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a current Professional Engineer license.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • This position is covered under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). Certification in the Functional Area and Tier assigned to the position, along with Continuous Learning (CL) points, are required within established timeframes.
  • You will be required to complete training, obtain, and maintain a government credit card for travel and travel-related purchases.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.

Qualifications
This position has a selective placement factor which will be used to screen out ineligible candidates. The selective placement factor is: Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Providing technical reviews of facilities construction drawings and specifications for mechanical adequacy, compliance with functional requirements, and conformity with standard engineering and construction practices; 2) Designing and developing layouts, construction drawings and specifications for facility mechanical systems such as heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, utilities, fuel handling, and industrial ventilation; AND 3) Performing engineering services in support of Architectural and Engineering Contracts such as writing statements of work, estimating fees, negotiation, performance monitoring, and evaluation of bids.
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
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 information
This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
Several vacancies may be filled.
A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.
This announcement uses the Defense Industrial Base, Major Range and Test Facilities direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service.
Applicants rated ineligible on this vacancy announcement need to reapply and update their application package to be considered on future vacancies filled through this announcement.
Applicants selected and hired on this vacancy announcement need to reapply to be considered on future vacancies filled through this announcement.
Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf.
Veteran's preference does not apply when selecting individuals under this specific hiring authority. However, if you claim veteran's preference, you will be required to submit supporting documentation with your application as described in the Required Documents section below.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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