Defence Contract Jobs in Cambridge
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34 Contract jobs sorted by:
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Date Posted
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34 Contract jobs
Aerospace & Defense Contracts Administrator
Posted 1 day ago by eTeam Workforce Limited
Position SummaryThe Aerospace & Defense Contracts Administrator is responsible for the preparation, review, negotiat...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Undetermined
- Work type Onsite
- Location Leicester, Leicestershire, UK
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Security Monitoring and Threat Hunting Analyst - L1_Remote
Posted 1 week ago by Prudent Technologies and Consulting
The Security Monitoring and Threat Hunting Analyst - L1 is a remote contract position focused on security monitoring, th...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Undetermined
- Work type Remote
- Location Remote
Senior/Principal Safety Engineer – Defence Land Systems - Contract
Posted 1 week ago by Infinity Systems Engineering LTD
The Senior/Principal Safety Engineer role at Infinity Systems Engineering involves supporting a major UK defence land sy...
- Rate £650 per day
- Category Inside
- Work type Hybrid
- Location Bristol (BS34)
Senior Cyber Defense & Offensive Security Specialist (DFIR | Red Team_ Remote
Posted 1 week ago by Prudent Technologies and Consulting
The Senior Cyber Defense & Offensive Security Specialist role focuses on advanced cybersecurity practices, including pen...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Undetermined
- Work type Remote
- Location Remote
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About Our Defence Contract Roles in Cambridge
What does a defence contractor do?
The defence sector is a significant employer of contractors in the UK, engaging professionals across engineering, technology, project management, commercial, intelligence analysis, and specialist technical disciplines to support the delivery of complex and long-running defence programmes. Contract roles arise most commonly within the Ministry of Defence, defence primes such as BAE Systems, Babcock, Leonardo, and QinetiQ, and the broader defence supply chain, where the volume and complexity of programmes require flexible specialist resource that cannot be maintained entirely within a permanent workforce. The security-sensitive nature of much defence work means that contractors operating in this sector must typically hold or be willing to obtain appropriate security clearances, most commonly SC or DV depending on the role.
The skills most valued in defence contracting reflect the sector's programme-intensive and technology-heavy character. Systems engineers with experience on complex defence platforms, project and programme managers familiar with CADMID or PRINCE2/MSP delivery methodologies, and commercial specialists with MoD procurement and DEFCONS experience are in consistent demand. Defence technology contractors, including software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and data scientists, increasingly find opportunities as the MoD accelerates its digital and AI transformation agenda. The ability to navigate the specific governance, compliance, and security requirements of the defence environment is an essential differentiator for contractors entering the sector for the first time.
What is the market like for defence contractors?
Defence contracting in the UK is underpinned by a substantial and long-term investment programme in the armed forces, with major platforms including Type 26 frigates, Tempest, Ajax, and the nuclear deterrent creating multi-decade pipelines of engineering and programme management contract demand. The government's commitment to increased defence spending, combined with the operational pressure created by the changed security environment in Europe, is driving additional investment and contractor demand across both traditional defence engineering and newer areas including cyber, space, and autonomous systems. Security clearance is a significant entry barrier that constrains supply and supports rates for cleared contractors above those achievable in comparable uncleared roles.
What is the contracting market like in Cambridge?
Few UK cities match the specificity of Cambridge's contracting opportunities. The life sciences, biotechnology, and deep technology ecosystem that has grown around the university and its research parks sustains work in scientific computing, bioinformatics, embedded systems, regulatory affairs, and clinical data at a scale and depth concentrated almost nowhere else. Beyond life sciences, telecommunications, chip design, and enterprise software employers broaden the range of engineering and development work available. Employers in Cambridge seek deep domain expertise and pay accordingly: rates for specialist disciplines frequently match or exceed London, though the overall volume of opportunities is smaller and concentrated in a narrower set of sectors. Contractors without a relevant scientific or deep technical background will find the market less accessible than its reputation might suggest.
How much do defence contractors usually earn in Cambridge?
Contract rates for defence roles in Cambridge typically range from £473 to £893 per day, depending on the scope of the role, required expertise, and the delivery expectations of the engagement.
How many defence vacancies in Cambridge are there on Quality Contracts?
Over the past twelve months, we have tracked over 530 defence contract roles across the site, with Cambridge maintaining consistent volume. Data reviewed up to June 2026.