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Defense Contractor Jobsexternal in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

The ideal candidate has previous experience as a Facility Security Officer at a cleared defense contractor. Strong Assistant Facility Security Officers (AFSOs) with hands-on experience managing ...

Experience working with the US Department of Defense acquisition process & knowledge of defense contracting, including the various contracting mechanisms * U.S. citizenship * Must have the ability to ...

Experience working with the US Department of Defense acquisition process & knowledge of defense contracting, including the various contracting mechanisms * U.S. citizenship * Must have the ability to ...

Experience working with the US Department of Defense acquisition process & knowledge of defense contracting, including the various contracting mechanisms * U.S. citizenship * Must have the ability to ...

Experience working with the US Department of Defense acquisition process & knowledge of defense contracting, including the various contracting mechanisms * U.S. citizenship * Must have the ability to ...

Experience working with the US Department of Defense acquisition process & knowledge of defense contracting, including the various contracting mechanisms * U.S. citizenship * Must have the ability to ...

The ideal candidate will have significant experience supporting defense contractor proposals and contract documentation, with a strong understanding of government procurement requirements, FAR/DFARS ...

Position Summary Mettle Ops is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and SBA 8(a) certified defense contractor with multiple operating subsidiaries spanning engineering services ...

Position Summary Mettle Ops is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and SBA 8(a) certified defense contractor with multiple operating subsidiaries spanning engineering services ...

Responsible for the direction of engineering, contracting, security, IT and compliance operations within the defense organization. * Work to continuously improve and reinforce the quality system to ...

Responsible for the direction of engineering, contracting, security, IT and compliance operations within the defense organization. * Work to continuously improve and reinforce the quality system to ...

Responsible for the direction of engineering, contracting, security, IT and compliance operations within the defense organization. * Work to continuously improve and reinforce the quality system to ...

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Defense Contractor information

See Michigan salary details

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How much do defense contractor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for defense contractor in Michigan is $24.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.46 and $28.27 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.

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

The most popular types of Defense Contractor jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Defense Contractor jobs in Michigan?

For Defense Contractor jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

The top searched job categories for Defense Contractor jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Defense Contractor jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Defense Contractor job openings:

Infographic showing various Defense Contractor job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $50,543 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Systems Safety Engineer (Defense, MBSE) - 3444293/14007

HRU-Tech

Sterling Heights, MI

$55 - $68/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Evaluate customer requirements for System Safety and determine vehicle compliance.

  • Create and support the design of system and Software (SW) architectures.

  • Conduct System Safety analyses to support recommendations for design solutions and design changes.


Job description

Job Title:

Systems Safety Engineer (Defense, MBSE)

Type of Position:

This position is a long-term contract role with no fixed end date. Conversion to a direct hire role may occur as early as 6 months, depending on individual performance and business needs. Although direct hire is not guaranteed, it is a common outcome for high-performing team members, and most contractors in this role do transition to permanent positions over time.

Candidate Requirements:

This role is ONLY open to US Citizens. Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders) and any other work authorizations are NOT permitted here as this role requires eligibility to obtain a secret clearance (a secret clearance is only open to US Citizens). Clearance isn’t required to start (but all candidates must be eligible to obtain one). Due to the nature of this role (working for a defense contractor tied to the federal government) – candidates may need to pass a drug screen (which would include cannabis). There would be no exceptions to this (eg: a medical card). 

Job Location:

Sterling Heights, MI (on-site role).

Compensation:

$55.00/hr to $68.00/hr (depending on experience) to start. Overtime is paid at 1.5x over 40 hours.

Benefits:

  • Available (health insurance, dental, vision, 401k, etc) – benefit eligibility begins the 1st of the month after 30 days of employment.
  • You will have 7 paid holidays and 10 days PTO per year (PTO accrues over time).

Overview:

HRU Technical Resources has partnered with a leading defense contractor to hire a Systems Safety Engineer for our facility in Sterling Heights, MI. The Defense industry is rapidly embracing digital transformation, integrating advanced software and state-of-the-art features. This position requires a dynamic individual with System Safety and Model-Based Systems Engineering experience. The individual will collaborate with design teams to incorporate System Safety Engineering input into vehicle designs, including hardware and software systems. Responsibilities include completing safety analysis, proposing and executing mitigation through product validation during the program life cycle, creating and documenting safety work products and submitting customer-required documents.

Responsibilities:

  • Evaluate customer requirements for System Safety and determine vehicle compliance.
  • Create and support the design of system and Software (SW) architectures.
  • Conduct System Safety analyses to support recommendations for design solutions and design changes.
  • Document analysis reports.
  • Support System Engineering Department in the development of the System Specification Document.
  • Safety requirement management – definition, connectivity, traceability, validation.
  • Create Hazard Tracking System (HTS) and Preliminary and Functional Hazard Analysis (PHA & FHA) as required.
  • Determine compliance with contract and/or System Specification Document.
  • Develop and complete safety CDRLs to be submitted to the Customer.
  • Manage end-to-end traceability of the Hazard mitigations for the assigned systems.
  • Create and manage Human/System Interface Databases, Hazard Logs, Risk Registers, and manage Hazard Tracking.
  • Work with HW and SW engineers to identify Safety hazards and mitigation strategies.
  • Conduct necessary Peer Reviews of Safety work products before release.

Requirements / Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a System Safety-related discipline such as Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or another Engineering concentration.
  • 7+ years of applicable experience; fewer years considered with an advanced degree.
  • Experience in developing safety hazards analysis, safety concepts, safety cases, and hazard mitigation strategies.
  • Experience in developing safety requirements traceability and test cases for safety-critical items.
  • Familiarity with Standards and Tools: MIL-STD-882E, JOINT SOFTWARE SYSTEMS SAFETY ENGINEERING HANDBOOK, ISO 26262, or ARP-4761A.
  • Developing safety requirements using MBSE based on system “V” model decomposition methodologies with CAMEO system modelers or similar Model-Based System modelers environment.
  • Team Center, JIRA, Confluence tools, DOORS, or other similar requirement management tools.
  • Demonstrated ability to work within a team environment with minimal supervision.
  • Strong communication, organization, and prioritization skills.
  • Ability to work with HW and SW engineers to identify safety hazards and mitigation strategies.

Preferred:

  • Master’s Degree in a System Safety-related discipline such as Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or another Engineering concentration
  • Experience with System, Logical, and Physical architecture in developing Safety strategy and safety mitigations.
  • Preferred experience in the Defense industry; relevant experience in Automotive or Aerospace System safety process and execution, launching designs into production.
  • Experience with High Voltage and Autonomous Software embedded systems.
  • Experience in Human Factors/Ergonomics and System Safety in product design.
  • Familiarity with User-Centered Design philosophy and approaches.
  • Understanding of Functional Failure Analysis.
  • Methodologies: Product development cycle, AGILE methodology, System engineering V-model.

Work Environment:

  • This is generally a standard 1st (day) shift role. There may be occasional overtime as needed (any OT is paid at 1.5x).
  • Must be able to meet Anthropometric Size Requirements (ASR) for confined space.
  • Offer may be contingent upon a drug screen (which would include cannabis) and a background check.
  • EOE (including Disability/Veterans)

How to Apply for This Job: