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Defense Contractor Chemist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Using breakthrough chemistry and automation that operates continuously and generates little to no ... The ideal candidate has run a regulated energetics, chemical, or defense manufacturing site, is ...

Located in Redwood City, our team pairs mechanical and electrical engineering with chemistry and ... Defense business development, acquisition strategy, or government contracting experience, with a ...

Cost Analyst

San Diego, CA · On-site

$55K - $80K/yr

... of Defense (DoD) programs and projects. The position requires 2 years of experience in cost ... Coordinate and defend results with and across other organizations and contractors Skills Required ...

... critical defense programs. Through the power of our combined capabilities, we provide deep ... Work closely with Government, military, contractor, and academic partners to support research and ...

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Defense Contractor Chemist information

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$52

How much do defense contractor chemist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for defense contractor chemist in the United States is $30.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $35.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by defense contractor chemists when working on classified projects?

Defense Contractor Chemists working on classified projects often encounter challenges related to strict security protocols, such as limited access to information and specialized facilities. These constraints can impact collaboration with colleagues and require careful documentation and communication practices. Additionally, chemists must remain vigilant about compliance with federal regulations and export controls, which can add complexity to research and development activities. Successfully navigating these challenges requires adaptability, attention to detail, and strong teamwork skills within a secure environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a defense contractor chemist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Defense Contractor Chemist, you need a solid background in chemistry, analytical techniques, and often a relevant degree such as a BS/MS in chemistry or related field, along with security clearance eligibility. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, hazardous materials handling, and compliance with government regulations (such as ITAR or DoD standards) is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure the safe development, analysis, and management of chemical materials in compliance with strict defense industry standards.

What does a defense contractor chemist do?

A Defense Contractor Chemist conducts research, development, and testing of chemicals and materials for use in defense applications. Their work often involves creating or improving products such as explosives, protective coatings, or materials that meet stringent military standards. They ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and government regulations while collaborating with engineers and other scientists. Defense Contractor Chemists play a crucial role in advancing technology for national security and military operations.
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What cities are hiring for Defense Contractor Chemist jobs?

Cities with the most Defense Contractor Chemist job openings:

What states have the most Defense Contractor Chemist jobs?

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

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

The top searched job categories for Defense Contractor Chemist jobs are:

Infographic showing various Defense Contractor Chemist job openings in the United States 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 $64,466 per year, or $31 per hour.

Computer Engineer

Defense Contract Management Agency

Fort Worth, TX • On-site, Remote

$98K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Defense Contract Management Agency rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

145th of 846 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Summary
See below for important information regarding this job.
Additional vacancies may be filled from this announcement.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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  • Implements agency policy and provides expert engineering support.
  • Analyzes engineering surveillance applications and developments.
  • Administers contracts in accordance with agency policies/standards/metrics and standard operating procedures for Department of Defense (DoD) acquisitions.
  • Assesses/records contractor performance using DCMA engineering surveillance performance indicators; then provides expert feedback to the Chief Engineer (CE).
  • Prepares/evaluates documents regarding specific, unique, engineering/manufacturing issues.
  • The CRR functions include evaluating production engineering/ability; reviewing facilities/nonconforming hardware; evaluating logistics/support programs/master engineering planning schedules; evaluating special tooling/testing equipment.
  • Monitors complex contractor engineering management systems; provides expert technical recommendations on substantive/critical/unique changes; researches/designs/develops/tests/produces engineering and analytical surveillance.
  • Performs advanced engineering functions, often in a leadership capacity, while conducting engineering and analytical surveillance.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Security Requirements: Special Sensitive, Sensitive Compartmented Information
  • Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, where reciprocity cannot be applied; unfavorably adjudicated background checks will be grounds for removal.
  • Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
  • Drug Testing: Required

Qualifications
To qualify for a Computer Engineer, your resume and supporting documentation must support:
A. Basic Requirement: A Bachelor's Degree or higher in professional engineering. To be acceptable, the program must:(1) be in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; 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.
OR
A combination of education and experience college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and(2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
A. Professional Registration or Licensure 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 example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
B. Written Test 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.
C. Specified academic courses 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 above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described in the Basic Requirements above.
D. Related curriculum 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 1 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.
AND
B. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in, or related to, this position. To qualify for the NH-03 level, specialized experience must be at the NH-02 or GS-11 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including time-after-competitive appointment, minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement.
Creditable specialized experience includes:
  • Applying software engineering and analysis principles, concepts, and standards in support of complex defense acquisition systems.
  • Performing oversight of the Software Development Life Cycle for major Acquisition programs and provide technical support pertaining to embedded software, missile systems, and sensor technologies.
  • Conducting reviews of contracts and in conducting reviews of contractor performance; proposing and providing technical advice on changes relating to contract applications/developments.
  • Leadership capacity conducting engineering and analytical surveillance on substantive/critical and unique changes of advanced engineering functions implementing agency policy, and new/developmental processes.

Education
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
If the position has a minimum education requirement you MUST provide transcripts (unofficial are acceptable at the time of application) to support your educational claims. Or, if you are using education to qualify in lieu of specialized experience you MUST provide transcripts (unofficial are acceptable at the time of application) to support your educational claims. The transcripts must include your name, the name of the college or university, class/course list, completed number of credits/hours, and the date degree conferred (if applicable). Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Licenses must be current at time of application.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
Additional information
  • This position does not meet criteria for appointment of Reemployed Annuitants. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: DoDI 1400.25-V300.
  • Tour of Duty: 1st Shift
  • FLSA: Exempt
  • Bargaining Unit: No
  • If selected for an interview, you may be required to provide your last three performance appraisals to the panel.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a trial/probationary period.
  • Financial Disclosure Required
  • Acquisition, Technology & Logistics(AT&L) NON-CAP: Position requires DoD Acquisition Engineering & Technical Management, Practitioner certification within required timeframes. Selectee must also achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2-years. Click here for more details and Resources.
  • Military spouses working remotely are exempt from in-person work under the conditions explained by OPM's February 12, 2025 memorandum and the March 20, 2025 Frequently Asked Questions.

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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.
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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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