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Defense Contractor Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

SAI SYSTEMS

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Project Estimator - Machine Automation

Farmington Hills, MI · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Familiarity with defense contracting requirements, ITAR compliance, or government procurement processes * Knowledge of controls platforms such as Allen-Bradley and Siemens, including associated ...

SAI SYSTEMS

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Sr Applications Engineer - Machine Automation

Plymouth, MI · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Familiarity with defense contracting requirements, ITAR compliance, or government procurement processes * Knowledge of controls platforms such as Allen-Bradley and Siemens, including associated ...

BAE Systems

Dir I- Contracts

Sterling Heights, MI · On-site

$138K - $235K/yr

Experience in Defense Contracting * Experience in People Management * Experience in Cross-functional Leadership * Strong team player that enjoys working with program management and other functional ...

BAE Systems

Configuration Anst I

Sterling Heights, MI · On-site

$64K - $110K/yr

BAE Systems, one of the world's leading defense contractors, is hiring a Configuration Analyst I to support Configuration Management activities on Combat Vehicle Programs. This role can be on-site or ...

Defense Logistics Agency

Contract Specialist

Warren, MI · On-site +1

$98K - $128K/yr

Defense Acquisition Workforce position. Must complete DoD certification and other requirements. See ... Basic Contracting Requirement: A.) A baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational ...

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Defense Contractor information

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How much do defense contractor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 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 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 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 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 for handling sensitive information. Gaining experience through internships or working for defense-related companies, and understanding government procurement processes, are also important steps in entering the field.
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:
Defense Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Contractor job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,543 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Senior Electrical Engineer

Sealandaire Technologies

Jackson, MI • On-site

$100K - $131K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

About Us
SeaLandAire Technologies is a defense contractor in Jackson, Michigan. We provide engineering, build, and field testing for prototypes and products used for data collection applications in difficult environments. These products help our customers collect information crucial to our country's security.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to join our growing Electrical Engineering Group. This position involves developing complex concepts into functional prototypes within a rapid development cycle. As a senior member of the group, you will drive the entire design cycle - from initial concept to field testing - and serve as a primary technical authority for circuit design, firmware, and system integration.
In addition to individual design contributions, this role is critical to helping scale our EE Group. You will play a vital role in establishing design standards, streamlining development workflows, and providing high-level technical direction to ensure our engineering deliverables meet rigorous mission requirements.
Project Environment
Project teams include electrical, mechanical, and acoustic engineers, lab technicians, and support staff. The teams work together to create innovative concepts and reliable implementations that focus on customer requirements. Senior Electrical Engineers steer the integration of vital sensing, control, signal processing, and communication functions across projects. You will also serve as a key technical interface for customers, translating their feedback into actionable design requirements.
Essential Functions*
  • Technical Guidance: Lead multi-disciplinary project teams to solve complex technical problems with robust, high-reliability hardware/firmware design solutions.
  • Prototyping & Development: Guide hardware and embedded software solutions from initial concept through rapid prototyping to production-ready design.
  • Engineering Standards: Write and review high-reliability embedded C code, helping to establish best practices and code quality standards within the EE Group.
  • Design Control & QA: Oversee configuration management, document development using version control systems, and ensure design integrity.
  • System Optimization: Optimize, update, and modernize existing design constructs to meet evolving customer needs.
  • Testing & Validation: Oversee and participate in rigorous design verification testing and hands-on field testing of hardware and firmware.
  • Peer Support: Collaborate closely with other engineers and technicians within the group, serving as a technical sounding board and assisting with complex design reviews.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position does not have immediate department or group administrative management responsibilities. However, senior-level project leadership is expected. This includes planning, organizing, assigning, and overseeing the technical execution of engineering work across various projects while communicating regularly with Project Managers and Project Engineers.
Core Competencies
We are looking for a senior engineer with a deep technical foundation across the following areas:
  • Advanced Circuit Design Skills:
    • Expert-level Schematic Capture and PCB layout experience (Altium Designer preferred).
    • High proficiency in Analog circuits (Audio frequencies a major plus).
    • Power electronics, digital electronics, and RF design experience.
  • Embedded and Software Skills:
    • Deep experience with ARM-based microcontrollers (specifically STM32 family) and C/C++ language.
    • Familiarity with Windows/Linux applications and Python for testing and tooling.
  • Systems Expertise:
    • Demonstrated experience in data acquisition, audio/acoustic systems, radio telemetry, sensing systems, or underwater systems.
  • Project & Workflow Skills:
    • Strong project management, time management, and organizational skills.
    • Experience navigating the technical compliance and constraints of defense contracts.
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interfacing smoothly with engineers, technicians, administrative staff, and customers.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is an on-site, full-time position, with a minimum expectation of 40 hours per week. Hours are somewhat flexible, and occasional extra hours may be required. This is a salaried, exempt position, however, if you are required to work 45 or more hours in a week, you will be compensated for all hours worked past 40 at your equivalent hourly rate.
Travel
Some travel is expected for field testing, vendor selections, and customer interface.
Education and Experience
  • A bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering is required.
  • 10+ years of progressive electrical engineering experience, with a proven track record of leading complex technical projects and managing design lifecycles.
Legal Requirements
  • Since a majority of SeaLandAire's business is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, applicants must be a "U.S. Person" (U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident).
  • A background check will be conducted for employment purposes.
  • A U.S. government security clearance is not required to start but is very helpful. Employees must be able to obtain a security clearance; SeaLandAire will sponsor this process.

Equal Opportunity Statement
SeaLandAire Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. SeaLandAire makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

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