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Defense Engineering Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Lexington, KY

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Bowling Green, KY · On-site

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Owensboro, KY

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Covington, KY

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Louisville, KY

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Frankfort, KY · On-site

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Frankfort, KY

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Louisville, KY · On-site

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Owensboro, KY · On-site

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Covington, KY · On-site

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Lexington, KY · On-site

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Bowling Green, KY

ABOUT The United States Navy's massive fleet of attack and defense vessels and systems all work in tandem to carry out the Navy's most critical missions. As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is ...

ASR INTERNATIONAL

Engineering Technician V

Richmond, KY · On-site

$85K - $105K/yr

ASR is seeking an experienced Engineering Technician V for an exciting opportunity supporting a Department of Defense robotics and autonomous systems program in Blue Grass Army Depot, KY. This role ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsDefense Engineering JobsDefense Engineering Jobs in Kentucky

Defense Engineering information

See Kentucky salary details

$11

$27

$49

How much do defense engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for defense engineering in Kentucky is $27.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $32.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a defense engineer do?

A defense engineer designs, develops, and tests military systems, equipment, and technologies such as weapons, communication systems, and defense infrastructure. They often work with specialized tools, adhere to strict safety and security standards, and may require security clearances and knowledge of engineering principles, materials, and systems integration.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in defense engineering, and how can they be managed?

Defense Engineering professionals often encounter challenges such as rapidly evolving technology requirements, strict regulatory compliance, and the need to maintain confidentiality on sensitive projects. Managing these challenges requires adaptability, strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. Building strong relationships with team members and staying current with industry best practices can help engineers effectively navigate these complexities and contribute to successful project outcomes.

What is defense engineering?

Defense engineering is a specialized field of engineering focused on designing, developing, and maintaining systems, equipment, and technologies used by the military and defense organizations. This includes everything from vehicles, weapons, and protective equipment to advanced communication and surveillance systems. Defense engineers work to ensure these technologies are reliable, effective, and meet strict safety and regulatory standards. They often collaborate with government agencies, private contractors, and multidisciplinary teams to address evolving security and defense challenges.

What is the difference between Defense Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectDefense EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in engineering, security clearances often requiredBachelor's or higher in mechanical engineering, professional licensure optional
Work EnvironmentDefense contractors, government agencies, secure facilitiesManufacturing plants, research labs, design firms
Industry UsageMilitary, defense technology, aerospaceAutomotive, aerospace, manufacturing, energy

Defense Engineering and Mechanical Engineering share foundational engineering principles, but Defense Engineering focuses on developing military and security systems within secure environments, often requiring security clearances. Mechanical Engineering has a broader application across industries like automotive and aerospace, with less emphasis on security. Both roles demand strong technical skills, but Defense Engineering emphasizes specialized knowledge related to defense technology and security protocols.

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

To thrive as a Defense Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, systems integration, and security protocols, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and security clearance. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, project management systems, and compliance with defense industry standards such as ITAR or DoD regulations is essential. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are critical soft skills that distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of defense systems while meeting strict regulatory and operational requirements.
What are popular job titles related to Defense Engineering jobs in Kentucky? For Defense Engineering jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Defense Engineering jobs in Kentucky look for? The top searched job categories for Defense Engineering jobs in Kentucky are:
What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Defense Engineering jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Defense Engineering job openings:
Defense Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Engineering job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,996 per year, or $27.4 per hour.

Information System Security Engineer

Cyber Defense Technologies

Lexington, KY • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Overview: Cyber Defense Technologies (CDT) is seeking a proactive Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) to support Risk Management Framework (RMF) compliance, system hardening, and security engineering across a diverse portfolio of systems. This role requires independent ownership of complex security challenges- from vulnerability assessment and remediation through continuous monitoring-while ensuring alignment with DoW and USSOCOM security policies.
You will bridge high-level security architecture with hands-on implementation across physical and virtual operating systems, networking devices, enterprise, embedded, and air-gapped environments.
Clearance Requirements: An active Secret clearance is required, TS/SCI preferred. All candidates must be U.S. Citizens. Applicants who do not meet these requirements will not be considered.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Perform security design, configuration, hardening, testing, and monitoring of advanced information systems independently or as part of a team.
  • Conduct vulnerability testing and apply current compliance standards and technical controls across Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and related platforms.
  • Support security architecture development; enforce trusted relationships with external systems; assess and mitigate security threats/risks throughout the program lifecycle.
  • Assist vendors and system developers in implementing DoW/USSOCOM security functionality and enterprise solutions.
  • Contribute to security planning, assessment, risk analysis, risk management, certification, and awareness activities.
  • Review Assessment & Authorization (A&A;) documentation for completeness and compliance.
  • Support rapid Fielding and Deployment Release processes by ensuring RMF and Authorization to Operate (ATO) requirements are met.
  • Create and maintain IA policy documentation and RMF artifacts, including System Security Plans (SSP), Security Assessment Reports, Risk Assessments, POA&Ms, Control Implementation/Validation documents, Ports/Protocols/Services matrices, network/architecture diagrams, and accreditation boundaries.
  • Execute cross-platform patch management and system imaging.
  • Map NIST 800-53 controls and DISA CCIs to system capabilities in support of ATO maintenance and renewals.
  • Engage customer technical points of contact as needed during architecture and implementation activities.
Technical Areas of Expertise:
  • Experience with RMF process and requirements (NIST 800-53)
  • Experience with virtualized and standalone environments (VMware)
  • Experience with patch management solutions
  • Experience with standard forensic practices, imaging software, tools, and techniques
  • Experience with Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) experience
  • Experience with Vulnerability Management (Nessus, NexPose, OpenVAS, etc)
  • ELINT, Radio Frequency, Electronic Warfare, and/or SIGINT experience a plus
  • Translating technical customer requirements into business process and tasking
  • Technical consulting both buyer and end user customer personnel in a complex environment
  • System Administration experience with Linux and Windows
  • Experience with administration and forensic practices with mobile platforms is a plus
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related technical field; or work relevant work experience equivalent.
  • Minimum 4 years of information security-related experience in areas such as security operations, vulnerability management, security testing, system patching, log analysis, intrusion detection, or security device administration.
  • Knowledge of RMF, Windows/Linux operating systems, STIGs, ACAS, HBSS, and/or related technologies.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, analyze root causes, and drive solutions from identification through resolution.
  • U.S. Citizenship and active Secret clearance (or higher), clearable to TS/SCI.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Active DoD 8570 IAT Level II (or higher) certification preferred at time of hire (e.g., Security+ CE, CASP+, CISSP).
  • Hands-on experience with vulnerability assessment tools (ACAS, Nessus, SCAP), VMware, image deployment/orchestration, and multi-platform hardening.
  • Technology-specific certifications (Cisco, VMware, Microsoft, etc.) relevant to the environment.
  • Experience supporting rapid ATO processes and continuous monitoring in DoD/IC environments.
Travel:CONUS Travel of 10 to 15% may be required depending on program needs
Why Join Cyber Defense Technologies?
At CDT, we offer a collaborative and inclusive work environment where your expertise in system security can help shape the future of cybersecurity and engineering solutions.
Compensation and Benefits:
  • Competitive salary based. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on work experience, education, certifications, geographic location, contract wage determination that align with the specified role.
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including Health, Dental, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, Short-term and Long-term disabilities, Life Insurance, Retirement plans, Learning and Development opportunities, Wellness programs as well as other optional benefits elections.
CDT is committed to hiring without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
Apply Now:
If you are a proactive Information System Security Engineer (ISSE) and thrive in dynamic environments, we encourage you to apply and join the CDT team!

Apply