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Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lunar Resources

Mechanical Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

The Mission We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer who is hungry, obsessed with building, and ... You aren't looking for a stable 9-5 at a legacy defense contractor. You want to build something ...

Lunar Resources

Mechanical Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

The Mission We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer who is hungry, obsessed with building, and ... You aren't looking for a stable 9-5 at a legacy defense contractor. You want to build something ...

NDI Engineering

Mechanical Engineer

Lakehurst, NJ · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Department of Defense Security Clearance. * Must possess a Bachelor of Science in Engineering ... S. Small Business Administration Region II, Prime Contractor of the Year Award. NDI's corporate ...

Lunar Resources

Mechanical Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

The Mission We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer who is hungry, obsessed with building, and ... You aren't looking for a stable 9-5 at a legacy defense contractor. You want to build something ...

NDI Engineering Company

Mechanical Engineer

Lakehurst, NJ · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Department of Defense Security Clearance. * Must possess a Bachelor of Science in Engineering ... S. Small Business Administration Region II, Prime Contractor of the Year Award. NDI's corporate ...

Crane Company

Mechanical Engineer IV

Lynnwood, WA

As a US Department of Defense contractor, we are bound by International Traffic in Arms Regulations ... Knowledge: * Knowledge of Mechanical Engineering Principles, including mechanics of materials ...

NDI Engineering Company

Mechanical Engineer

Lakehurst, NJ · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

... defense of our country. NDI offerings include naval architecture, marine, civil, structural ... S. Small Business Administration Region II, Prime Contractor of the Year Award. NDI's corporate ...

Stone Peak

Mechanical Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

Vendor and Sub-contractor selection * Controls functional description development * Create mechanical schedules * Present engineering findings to client, interfaces directly and regularly with client

NDI Engineering

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Thorofare, NJ · On-site

$93K - $145K/yr

Department of Defense Security Clearance. * Must possess a Bachelor of Science in Engineering ... This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300 ...

Marvin Group

MECHANICAL ENGINEER IV

Inglewood, CA · On-site

... Marvin Group, a leading defense contractor, plays a crucial role in the development and ... Bachelor or Master's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and a minimum of 12 years ...

Marvin Group

MECHANICAL ENGINEER IV

Inglewood, CA · On-site

... Marvin Group, a leading defense contractor, plays a crucial role in the development and ... Bachelor or Master's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and a minimum of 12 years ...

Leidos

Mechanical Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

... and defense initiatives. This position requires an engineer who thrives on solving challenging ... You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team of government and contractor professionals in a ...

Leidos

Mechanical Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

... and defense initiatives. This position requires an engineer who thrives on solving challenging ... You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team of government and contractor professionals in a ...

Textron

Mechanical Engineer

Waterboro, ME

We serve customers in industries spanning aerospace and defense, specialized vehicles, turf care ... Conduct liaison activities with sub-contractors and external manufactures as well as internal and ...

Textron

Mechanical Engineer

Waterboro, ME · On-site

We serve customers in industries spanning aerospace and defense, specialized vehicles, turf care ... Conduct liaison activities with sub-contractors and external manufactures as well as internal and ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsDefense Contractor Mechanical Engineer Jobs

Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer information

See salary details

$45.5K

$102.9K

$166.5K

How much do defense contractor mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense contractor 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 does a defense contractor mechanical engineer do?

A Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer designs, develops, and tests mechanical systems for military and defense applications. Their work may involve creating components for vehicles, weapons, or support equipment used by armed forces. They collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure these systems meet strict safety, reliability, and performance standards. Additionally, they must adhere to government regulations and security protocols while handling sensitive information. Their role is critical in advancing defense technologies and maintaining national security.

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

To excel as a Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, a relevant engineering degree, and often a security clearance. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and knowledge of defense-specific standards and certifications like ITAR compliance are typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills are critical for collaborating on complex defense projects. These competencies ensure the engineer can design reliable, compliant systems that meet stringent defense requirements and function under high-stakes conditions.

What are some common challenges faced by mechanical engineers working as defense contractors?

Mechanical engineers in defense contracting often face the challenge of adhering to strict regulatory standards and security protocols, which can add complexity to the design and manufacturing process. Additionally, projects typically require close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and may involve rapidly adapting to evolving project requirements driven by client needs or new technological developments. Managing tight deadlines while ensuring compliance with military specifications is also a frequent aspect of the role. These challenges are balanced by the opportunity to work on innovative, mission-critical systems and to gain experience with cutting-edge technologies.

What is the difference between Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer vs Defense Industry Mechanical Engineer?

AspectDefense Contractor Mechanical EngineerDefense Industry Mechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, possibly security clearanceBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, possibly security clearance
Work EnvironmentContractor offices, military facilities, project sitesDefense manufacturing plants, military facilities
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily employed by defense contractors serving military clientsEmployed directly by defense agencies or manufacturers
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both roles require similar credentials and often involve working in secure environments. The main difference is that Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineers are employed by private firms providing services to defense clients, while Defense Industry Mechanical Engineers work directly within defense agencies or manufacturing companies. The roles overlap in skills and work settings, but their employment context distinguishes them.

More about Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer jobs?

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

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

The top searched job categories for Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer jobs are:

Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer 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 $102,878 per year, or $49.5 per hour.

Mechanical Engineer

Lunar Resources

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

The Mission

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer who is hungry, obsessed with building, and ready to drink from the firehose. You won't just be pushing paper; you will be on the floor designing, building, breaking, and iterating on high-consequence hardware.

We are an startup building next-gen pulsed power systems in defense and industry. We are moving extremely fast. We don't have time for red tape, office politics, or "that's not my job" attitudes.

The Role

You will be thrown into the deep end immediately (with mentorship). We don't expect you to know everything on day one, but we expect you to learn fast and think on your feet. You will support the engineering lead in:

  • Rapid Prototyping: Owning the DFM process from concept to physical part using FDM and SLS 3D printing.
  • Production Design: Transitioning prototypes into scalable parts via casting and injection molding.
  • Complex Fixturing: Designing and building test fixtures for High Voltage environments.
  • System Design: assisting in the mechanical design and packaging of full packaged systems.

Who You Are

  • You are a Builder: You have a portfolio of things you've built with your own hands (Formula SAE, Baja, personal robotics projects, or crazy garage builds).
  • You possess "Grit": You understand that engineering is 10% inspiration and 90% grinding through hard problems until they are solved.
  • You are fearless but safe: You aren't intimidated by high voltage or energetic materials, but you respect the physics and safety protocols required to handle them.
  • You want Upside: You aren't looking for a stable 9-5 at a legacy defense contractor. You want to build something that matters.

IMPORTANT: You must be fluent in CAD; we need someone who can model complex assemblies at the speed of thought, not someone who is still learning the interface.

The Technical Stack (The "Wishlist")

We realize you are early in your career. If you are smart and work hard, we can teach you the physics. However, exposure to the following is a big plus:

  • BS in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
  • CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, NX, or Fusion 360).
  • Fabrication knowledge: You know how to design for FDM/SLS (additive) vs. Injection Molding/Casting (subtractive/formative).
  • Electromechanical exposure: Experience designing fixtures or enclosures for high-voltage systems.

Why Join Us?

  • Radical Ownership: You will have your fingerprints on hardware that ships.
  • Mentorship: You will work directly with senior engineers on complex, multi-disciplinary problems (HV, Ballistics, Materials Science).
  • High Upside: Join at the ground floor of a fast-growing startup

Note: Due to the nature of our work, candidates must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) to comply with ITAR/EAR regulations.

Questions:

What is a technical "rabbit hole" you've fallen down recently just because you were curious?

What is the most physically or mentally demanding task you have ever completed?

Which do you prefer: a perfect design that ships in a month, or a "good enough" prototype that ships tomorrow? Why?