<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.21.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>286</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>333</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>71</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001001 - Document - Cover Page</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/CoverPage</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover Page</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001002 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002003 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeLossUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003004 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004005 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005006 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquityUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006007 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101101 - Disclosure - Description of Business</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/DescriptionofBusiness</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103102 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Principles and Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/SignificantAccountingPrinciplesandPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Principles and Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105103 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106104 - Disclosure - Revenues</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/Revenues</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110105 - Disclosure - Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/ContractAssetsandContractLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114106 - Disclosure - Business Combinations and Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAcquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations and Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116107 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable, net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/AccountsReceivablenet</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable, net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120108 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsnet</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125109 - Disclosure - Consolidated Ventures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/ConsolidatedVentures</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Ventures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2130110 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2135111 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2137112 - Disclosure - Net Income (loss) Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/NetIncomelossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income (loss) Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2141113 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2145114 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2149115 - Disclosure - Legal Proceedings, Commitments, and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/LegalProceedingsCommitmentsandContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Legal Proceedings, Commitments, and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2150116 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/SegmentReporting</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2153117 - Disclosure - Related-Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Related-Party Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2155118 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2204201 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Principles and Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/SignificantAccountingPrinciplesandPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Principles and Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/SignificantAccountingPrinciplesandPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Revenues (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/RevenuesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/Revenues</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311302 - Disclosure - Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/ContractAssetsandContractLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/ContractAssetsandContractLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317303 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/AccountsReceivablenetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable, net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/AccountsReceivablenet</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2321304 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsnetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsnet</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2326305 - Disclosure - Consolidated Ventures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/ConsolidatedVenturesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Ventures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/ConsolidatedVentures</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2331306 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2338307 - Disclosure - Net Income (loss) Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/NetIncomelossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income (loss) Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/NetIncomelossPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2342308 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2346309 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2351310 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/SegmentReportingTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/SegmentReporting</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402401 - Disclosure - Description of Business (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/DescriptionofBusiness</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Revenues - Disaggregated Revenues (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/RevenuesDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Disaggregated Revenues (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Revenues - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/RevenuesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities - Components of Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/ContractAssetsandContractLiabilitiesComponentsofContractAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities - Components of Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413405 - Disclosure - Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/ContractAssetsandContractLiabilitiesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415406 - Disclosure - Business Combinations and Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations and Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAcquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418407 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable, net - Components of Accounts Receivable, Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/AccountsReceivablenetComponentsofAccountsReceivableNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable, net - Components of Accounts Receivable, Net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419408 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable, net - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/AccountsReceivablenetNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable, net - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422409 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsnetNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423410 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net - Intangible Assets, net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsnetIntangibleAssetsnetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net - Intangible Assets, net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424411 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net - Estimated Amortization Expense in Future Years (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsnetEstimatedAmortizationExpenseinFutureYearsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net - Estimated Amortization Expense in Future Years (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427412 - Disclosure - Consolidated Ventures - Balance Sheets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/ConsolidatedVenturesBalanceSheetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Ventures - Balance Sheets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428413 - Disclosure - Consolidated Ventures - Statements of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/ConsolidatedVenturesStatementsofOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Ventures - Statements of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429414 - Disclosure - Consolidated Ventures - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/ConsolidatedVenturesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Ventures - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432415 - Disclosure - Debt - Long-Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/DebtLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Long-Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433416 - Disclosure - Debt - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434417 - Disclosure - Debt - Future Principal Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/DebtFuturePrincipalMaturitiesofLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Future Principal Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2436418 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/StockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2439419 - Disclosure - Net Income (loss) Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/NetIncomelossPerShareComputationofBasicandDilutedLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income (loss) Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/NetIncomelossPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440420 - Disclosure - Net Income (loss) Per Share - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/NetIncomelossPerShareNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income (loss) Per Share - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/NetIncomelossPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443421 - Disclosure - Leases - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2444422 - Disclosure - Leases - Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/LeasesFutureMinimumOperatingLeasePaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2447423 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value Assumptions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsScheduleofFairValueAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value Assumptions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2448424 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Warrants (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsScheduleofChangesinFairValueofWarrantsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Warrants (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2452425 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting - Information by Reportable Segment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/SegmentReportingInformationbyReportableSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting - Information by Reportable Segment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2454426 - Disclosure - Related-Party Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related-Party Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pae-20210627.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2456427 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.pae.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.pae.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="pae-20210627.htm">pae-20210627.htm</File>
    <File>a101bickettclintretentionl.htm</File>
    <File>exhibit311-q22021.htm</File>
    <File>exhibit321-q22021.htm</File>
    <File>pae-20210627.xsd</File>
    <File>pae-20210627_cal.xml</File>
    <File>pae-20210627_def.xml</File>
    <File>pae-20210627_lab.xml</File>
    <File>pae-20210627_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2021-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2021-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2021</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
