ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Defense Contractor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wolfspeed, Inc.

Program Manager- Defense

Durham, NC · On-site

The ideal candidate has worked inside a defense contractor, understands how these organizations ... Hold contractors accountable to committed schedules, technical deliverables, and quality standards

New

Cree

Program Manager- Defense

Durham, NC · On-site

The ideal candidate has worked inside a defense contractor, understands how these organizations ... Hold contractors accountable to committed schedules, technical deliverables, and quality standards

New

Navier

Head of Defense

Washington, DC · On-site

Manage relationships with contractors and coordinate closely with Navier's defense advisory board to develop strategy to expand Navier's defense footprint and navigate complex procurement landscapes.

Navier

Head of Defense

Washington, DC · On-site

Manage relationships with contractors and coordinate closely with Navier's defense advisory board to develop strategy to expand Navier's defense footprint and navigate complex procurement landscapes.

Avenue Technologies Company

Lead DevSecOps Engineer

Aurora, CO · On-site

$104K - $137K/yr

S. defense contractor. What You'll Do On Site Means they will be working at a a major U.S Defense contractor Facility.At a major U.S Defense contractor, the foundation of everything we do is rooted ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsGovernment JobsMilitary JobsMilitary Professional JobsDefense Contractor Jobs

Defense Contractor information

See salary details

$9

$27

$47

How much do defense contractor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for defense contractor in the United States is $27.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.15 and $32.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a defense contractor do?

A Defense Contractor is a private company or individual that provides products or services to a nation's military. These can include weapons, vehicles, technology, logistics, and consulting services. They work closely with government agencies to support defense and national security efforts. Contractors must comply with strict regulations and often require security clearances.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a defense contractor?

To thrive as a Defense Contractor, you need expertise in project management, engineering or technical disciplines, and a thorough understanding of government procurement processes, often supported by a relevant degree and security clearance. Familiarity with defense standards, specialized software tools (like CAD or project management suites), and compliance with regulations such as ITAR or DFARS is crucial. Excellent problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you navigate complex projects and collaborate with multiple stakeholders. These abilities are essential for delivering mission-critical solutions while adhering to strict security and contractual requirements.

What are some typical challenges faced by defense contractors, and how can they be managed?

Defense Contractors often navigate strict regulatory requirements, complex project specifications, and tight deadlines, all while maintaining high standards for security and quality. Adaptability and proactive communication are essential to successfully manage frequent changes in project scope or government priorities. Collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including military personnel and subcontractors, is also a key aspect of the job. Building strong organizational and problem-solving skills can help you meet these challenges and contribute to the success of mission-oriented projects.

How do you become a defense contractor?

To become a defense contractor, individuals typically need a strong background in engineering, science, or technology, along with relevant security clearances. Gaining experience through military service, government agencies, or defense-related industries, and understanding government contracting processes, are also important steps.

How much do defense contractors get paid?

Defense contractors' salaries vary based on experience, role, and location, but entry-level positions typically start around $60,000 to $80,000 annually. Experienced professionals with specialized skills or security clearances can earn over $100,000 per year, with some senior roles exceeding $150,000. Compensation often includes benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and overtime pay, especially for those working on complex projects or in high-security environments.
More about Defense Contractor jobs

What cities are hiring for Defense Contractor jobs?

Cities with the most Defense Contractor job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Defense Contractor jobs?

The most popular types of Defense Contractor jobs are:

What states have the most Defense Contractor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Defense Contractor jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Defense Contractor jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Defense Contractor jobs are:

Defense Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Contractor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 19% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,990 per year, or $27.9 per hour.

Program Manager- Defense

Wolfspeed, Inc.

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Wolfspeed rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

At Wolfspeed, we do amazing things in a human way.
We know that the achievements of our organization are due to the passion, hard work and creativity of our employees. We celebrate different perspectives to foster excellence across our organization, and our goal is to make diversity a foundation of what we do. We are proudly building an environment where you can bring your authentic self to work.
  • Enjoy doing things that people say can't be done? Innovation is at the center of everything we do.

  • Hate red tape? We remove roadblocks instead of creating them.

  • Working parent? We provide childcare assistance and paid parental leave.

  • Student? We offer continuing education assistance.

  • Looking for community? There are many ways to get involved, from Employee Resource Groups to local outreach

The Day-to-Day:
Wolfspeed is seeking a results-driven Program Manager to own and accelerate program delivery through Wolfspeed's defense contractor partners. Working alongside an existing team that manages U.S. government program office relationships, this role is squarely focused on driving performance, accountability, and outcomes with prime defense contractors. The ideal candidate has worked inside a defense contractor, understands how these organizations operate, and knows how to cut through complexity to get things done.
Key Responsibilities
Contractor Performance & Accountability
  • Serve as Wolfspeed's primary point of contact with defense prime and sub-tier contractor program teams

  • Hold contractors accountable to committed schedules, technical deliverables, and quality standards

  • Proactively identify and escalate risks, delays, or gaps in contractor performance before they impact program outcomes

  • Drive resolution of technical, contractual, and schedule issues across contractor organizations

Program Execution
  • Manage program execution end-to-end - from contract award through delivery and acceptance - with a relentless focus on results

  • Maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and track milestones across multiple concurrent contractor-driven programs

  • Lead regular program reviews, status calls, and action item tracking with contractor teams

  • Coordinate with Wolfspeed's engineering, operations, and supply chain functions to ensure internal readiness supports contractor demand

Relationship Management
  • Build deep, trusted working relationships with defense contractor program managers, engineering leads, and procurement teams

  • Leverage knowledge of how prime contractors operate internally to navigate their processes efficiently and advocate for Wolfspeed's priorities

  • Represent Wolfspeed professionally and credibly in environments where the other side of the table is a large, experienced defense organization

Business Development Support
  • Identify expansion opportunities within existing contractor relationships and feed them to business development

  • Support proposal and pricing efforts for follow-on programs with current defense contractor customers

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field

  • 7+ years of program management experience, with at least 5 years inside a defense contractor (prime or significant sub-tier)

  • Deep understanding of how defense prime contractors operate - their internal processes, incentives, culture, and decision-making structures

  • Demonstrated track record of driving results and holding teams/partners accountable in a contractor environment

  • Strong negotiation, communication, and influencing skills - comfortable pushing back on large organizations professionally and effectively

  • Experience managing Integrated Master Schedules and multi-milestone program plans

  • Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (or ability to obtain)

Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior employment at a recognized defense prime

  • Experience on programs involving one or more of the following defense application areas:

  • Power electronics (high-voltage, high-frequency power conversion and management)

  • Directed energy (high-power lasers or high-power microwave systems)

  • Radar systems (airborne, ground-based, or naval radar platforms)

  • Naval electrification (shipboard power distribution, electric propulsion, or energy storage systems)

  • Electronic warfare (EW systems, signal intelligence, or RF subsystems)

  • Familiarity with DFARS, FAR, and defense contract types (FFP, CPFF, T&M)

  • Experience with ITAR and export-controlled program environments

What Sets This Role Apart
You'll work with the most sophisticated defense organizations in the world - and you'll need to earn their respect while pushing them for results. Wolfspeed's Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology is a critical enabler for next-generation defense platforms, and this role puts you at the center of translating that technology into fielded capability across directed energy, radar, naval electrification, and electronic warfare programs.
This role may require additional duties and/or assignments as designated by management.
To put it legally - Wolfspeed is an equal opportunity employer.
We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation and other protected status as required by law.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Wolfspeed employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply