Most in-demand defense and aerospace roles
Software Developers, Computer Systems Engineers/Architects and Mechanical Engineers are the roles defense and aerospace employers have the most openings for, out of 28,716 open jobs. Every job on this page is in the United States, taken from the employer’s own career site or job system and checked to still be open.
Most in-demand defense and aerospace roles
Rebuilt weekly. November 2026 edition.
| # | Role | Open jobs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software Developers276 employers · Median pay $193k | 2,681 open |
| 2 | Computer Systems Engineers/Architects207 employers · Median pay $172k | 1,949 open |
| 3 | Mechanical Engineers158 employers · Median pay $154k | 1,036 open |
| 4 | Electrical Engineers155 employers · Median pay $154k | 975 open |
| 5 | Aerospace Engineers104 employers · Median pay $165k | 735 open |
| 6 | Project Management Specialists153 employers · Median pay $175k | 604 open |
| 7 | Manufacturing Engineers103 employers · Median pay $149k | 603 open |
| 8 | Architectural and Engineering Managers114 employers · Median pay $222k | 480 open |
| 9 | Computer Hardware Engineers89 employers · Median pay $160k | 436 open |
| 10 | Information Security Engineers122 employers · Median pay $162k | 433 open |
| 11 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer79 employers · Median pay $182k | 362 open |
| 12 | Validation Engineers76 employers · Median pay $150k | 345 open |
| 13 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers90 employers · Median pay $142k | 338 open |
| 14 | Information Technology Project Managers112 employers · Median pay $193k | 332 open |
| 15 | Network and Computer Systems Administrators104 employers · Median pay $156k | 327 open |
| 16 | Sales Managers107 employers · Median pay $190k | 303 open |
| 17 | Database Administrators95 employers · Median pay $136k | 296 open |
| 18 | Computer and Information Systems Managers89 employers · Median pay $215k | 294 open |
| 19 | Industrial Engineers65 employers · Median pay $165k | 282 open |
| 20 | Computer Network Architects87 employers · Median pay $165k | 279 open |
| 21 | Engineers, All Other61 employers · Median pay $135k | 259 open |
| 22 | Data Scientists103 employers · Median pay $127k | 254 open |
| 23 | Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products82 employers · Median pay $152k | 249 open |
| 24 | Financial and Investment Analysts102 employers · Median pay $114k | 248 open |
| 25 | Human Resources Specialists91 employers · Median pay $135k | 236 open |
Search all defense and aerospace jobs · Back to defense and aerospace jobs
More defense and aerospace lists
More industries
- US manufacturing30,495
- Healthcare25,566
- Financial services25,485
- Education12,966
- Non-profits12,761
- Biotech and pharma10,685
- AI8,032
- Construction7,390
- Transportation and logistics4,894
- Space4,802
- Semiconductors3,805
- Automotive and EV3,639
- Retail2,961
- Robotics and automation2,792
- Data centers2,570
- Consumer packaged goods2,445
- Utilities and power2,298
- Clean energy and nuclear2,181
- Real estate1,502
- Telecom1,354
- Tourism and hospitality1,235
- Steel, aluminum and metals966
- Oil and gas933
- Mining and natural resources891
- Restaurants890
- Airlines and aviation777
- TV and streaming733
- Shipbuilding and maritime471
- Casino and gaming454
- Music414
- Foundation334
- Museum273
- Sports207
- Movies and film46
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