Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributed to PAE Incorporated	$ 16,021	$ 2,674	$ 11,078	$ (3,046)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	92,044,098	21,127,823	75,890,028	21,127,823
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	92,787,379	21,127,823	76,273,931	21,127,823
Net (loss) income per share attributed to PAE Incorporated - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ 0.13	$ 0.15	$ (0.14)
Net (loss) income per share attributed to PAE Incorporated - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 170	$ 130	$ 150	$ (140)