Occupation
Aerospace Engineer
An Aerospace Engineer designs, analyzes, and tests aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and related systems for aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, or research organizations. Using CAD tools like CATIA or SolidWorks alongside MATLAB for simulations, they perform structural analysis and apply aerodynamics and propulsion knowledge within a broader systems engineering framework. The role demands a rigorous, technically trained engineer, typically with a degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering, working in highly regulated, safety-critical environments.
Duties & responsibilities
- Design and analyze aircraft, spacecraft, and vehicle structural components from concept through production
- Perform aerodynamic and propulsion system analysis to guide configuration and performance decisions
- Develop and validate fluid systems including propellant, thermal management, and pressurization architectures
- Design guidance, navigation, and control algorithms and systems for autonomous or crewed platforms
- Conduct structural calculations, finite element analysis, and trade studies to optimize performance and manufacturability
- Inspect, integrate, and verify flight-critical hardware and systems during assembly and launch preparation
- Collaborate across mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure designs meet system requirements
What Aerospace Engineer roles involve, from employers’ own postings.
How much does an Aerospace Engineer make?
Employers posting Aerospace Engineer roles list a median of $165,000 a year (middle half $138,000–$201,000), from 45 postings that state pay.
62% of open Aerospace Engineer roles publish a range. Only some employers state pay, and the ones that do skew to California and New York, where the law requires it. Which states’ postings state pay
Who is hiring for Aerospace Engineer roles?
73 open Aerospace Engineer roles from 14 employers; the most at Impulse Space, Shield AI and Boeing, and in California, Washington and Texas.
From employers’ own postings, as of.
Aerospace Engineer in the job market
Last checked October 28, 2026
- Open roles
- 73
- Employers
- 14
- Median pay
- $165,000
- Disclose pay
- 62%
on Career App right now
hiring for it
from 45 roles
of these roles
Career ladder
Often comes from
Often an entry point.
Often leads to
Similar roles
Open Aerospace Engineer roles (73)
Aerospace Engineer
Federal Aviation Administration
Oklahoma City, OK · $111,779 – $173,292
This federal position trains engineers in aircraft certification and safety standards, develops curriculum on FAA regulations and structural analysis, and serves as a technical advisor on complex airframe and component certification matters. It suits experienced aerospace engineers who excel at teaching, can manage projects independently, and want to shape the standards and practices across the aviation industry.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
Senior Staff Engineer, Structures and Vibration (6237)
Shield AI
Full-time · Dallas, TX · $170,000 – $260,000
Shield AI seeks a Senior Staff Engineer specializing in structures and vibration analysis for their autonomous aircraft and defense systems. This role suits experienced engineers with deep expertise in structural mechanics and dynamics who want to contribute to advanced autonomous vehicle development.
Listed on Shield AI’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Loads and Dynamics Engineer II
Relativity Space
Long Beach, CA · $103,000 – $155,000
This role involves developing structural loads, dynamic analyses, and vibration specifications for Relativity Space's Terran R rocket, working across multiple engineering teams from design through flight testing. It suits engineers with mechanics and vibrations expertise who can build analytical models, conduct testing validation, and drive technical decisions in a fast-paced aerospace environment.
Listed on Relativity Space’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Staff Propulsion Engineer
CesiumAstro
Full-time · El Segundo, CA · $150,000 – $181,000
CesiumAstro is seeking a senior propulsion engineer to lead the structural and thermal design of launch vehicle components from concept to flight. This role suits someone with deep expertise in FEA and thermal analysis who wants to mentor teams and solve complex aerospace problems in a startup environment.
Listed on CesiumAstro’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Spacecraft Development Engineer
Impulse Space
Redondo Beach
Join a spacecraft manufacturer as an engineer supporting projects from design through production, collaborating with subsystems teams and test personnel to deliver vehicles for space missions. This role suits engineers who thrive in fast-paced, cross-functional environments and want hands-on involvement in hardware that leaves the planet.
Listed on Impulse Space’s careers site · Apply there ↗
GNC Engineer
Stoke Space
Full-time · Kent, WA · $109,725 – $193,620
This role involves designing and validating guidance, navigation, and control systems for a reusable launch vehicle, working across the full lifecycle from algorithm development through flight operations. It suits experienced aerospace engineers with strong control theory and orbital mechanics knowledge who thrive in a fast-paced startup environment.
Listed on Stoke Space’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Summer 2027 GNC / Autonomy Intern
AeroVironment
Internship
This is a 12-week paid summer internship in guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) systems for aerospace and defense, where interns contribute to flight control design, testing, and integration on real aircraft projects. The role suits motivated students pursuing degrees in aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering who want hands-on experience in a fast-paced R&D environment.
Listed on AeroVironment’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Structural & Payload Design Engineer (Senior or Principal)
Boeing
Full-time · El Segundo, CA · $165,750 – $224,250
Boeing is hiring a senior or principal-level engineer to lead the structural and mechanical design of space vehicles, overseeing teams across structures, thermal, dynamics, propulsion, and related disciplines. This role suits experienced aerospace engineers who excel at cross-functional integration and can drive complex satellite or spacecraft programs from concept through production.
Listed on Boeing’s careers site · Apply there ↗
CDI - Ingénieure/Ingénieur - Responsable Equipements / Servogouverne
Arianespace / ArianeGroup
Full-time · Les Mureaux
This role leads the technical development of flight control equipment and actuation systems for European space launch vehicles and defense systems. It suits someone with over a decade of mechatronics experience who is comfortable taking ownership of complex subsystems while working within a large team on programs like Ariane 6.
Listed on Arianespace / ArianeGroup’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Propulsion Senior Engineer – Pressure & Fluid Systems
Axiom Space
Houston, TX
Axiom Space is hiring a senior engineer to lead the design and delivery of propellant feed and pressure control systems for their commercial space station, from initial requirements through flight qualification. This role suits experienced propulsion engineers who want hands-on technical ownership of complex spacecraft hardware while leading cross-functional teams in a fast-paced commercial space environment.
Listed on Axiom Space’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Likely next role (271)
Where Aerospace Engineers commonly go next: Engineering Manager.
Interdisciplinary
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
Fort Belvoir, VA · $121,785 – $158,322
This role leads a technical workforce supporting Army Intelligence and Security Command operations globally, managing logistics for intelligence systems and mentoring professional staff. It suits experienced engineers or architects with federal service background who can coordinate complex infrastructure projects and drive program delivery in a defense environment.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
F-35 ELECTRONICS ENGINEER
Naval Air Systems Command
Fort Worth, TX · $115,711 – $150,426
A federal engineering leadership role overseeing technical teams and solving complex challenges for military aircraft and weapons systems sustainment. This suits experienced engineers ready to step into management and take responsibility for program-level decisions.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
SUPV Interdisciplinary
Defense Information Systems Agency
Fort Meade, Maryland · $169,279 – $197,200
This is a management position overseeing long-range IT planning and enterprise architecture for a military cyber command, requiring candidates to guide network technology strategy and advise senior leaders on infrastructure modernization. It suits experienced engineers or computer scientists with backgrounds in complex systems design, telecommunications networks, and cloud infrastructure who are ready to step into a federal supervisory role.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
SUPERVISORY INTERDISCIPLINARY (ENGINEERING & ARCHITECT)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Concord, CA · $133,060 – $172,980
This is a supervisory federal engineering position managing resident engineers on defense construction projects, directing field and office engineering work, and handling contract administration. It suits experienced engineers or architects with PE or RA licensure ready to move into management of construction operations for the Department of Defense.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
ENGINEER (GENERAL) SUPERVISOR
U.S. Marine Corps
Albany, GA · $106,437 – $138,370
This federal engineering supervisory position oversees multi-disciplinary teams delivering mechanical, civil, structural, and electrical engineering services for military installation construction and facility maintenance projects. The role demands hands-on technical expertise in complex utility systems alongside personnel management and strategic coordination across installation divisions.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
SUPERVISORY GENERAL ENGINEER / ARCHITECT
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command
Kittery, ME · $142,452 – $185,193
This is a supervisory engineering or architecture role with NAVFAC where you oversee design and construction projects for military facilities, managing both in-house staff and contractors from initial concept through completion. The position suits licensed professionals with several years of project and design management experience who can lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure compliance with federal acquisition and engineering standards.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
SUPERVISORY INTERDISCIPLINARY(SUPERVISORY GENERAL ENGINEER) (TITLE 5)
Air National Guard Units
Jacksonville, FL · $106,437 – $138,370
This is a supervisory role managing engineering teams and operations for the Florida National Guard, requiring both technical engineering expertise and proven leadership experience overseeing multiple staff members and organizational functions. The position involves strategic planning, resource optimization, policy development, and accountability for subordinate supervisors' performance.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
Software Engineering Manager, AI Observability & Evals Platform (New York, NY)
LangChain
Full-time · New York, NY · $200,000 – $250,000
Lead the engineering team building LangSmith, LangChain's platform for monitoring and evaluating AI systems in production. This role suits experienced engineering managers who want to shape the technical direction of AI infrastructure while mentoring a high-performing team.
Listed on LangChain’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Senior Engineering Manager, K4B
Kayak.com
Vilnius Office · €7,080 – €7,900 / month · Remote
Lead one or more engineering teams at a travel technology company, owning the technical roadmap, engineering practices, and people development for a domain focused on supplier integrations and content delivery. This role suits experienced engineering managers who want to shape product strategy, build high-performing teams, and influence architecture in a fast-paced travel tech environment.
Listed on Kayak.com’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Engineering Manager
WinSystems
Grand Prairie, TX
Listed on WinSystems’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Roles similar to Aerospace Engineer (619)
From Electrical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Structural Engineer, Systems Engineer.
Electrical Engineer
U.S. Coast Guard
Birmingham, AL · $90,410 – $117,535
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
General Engineer
Missile Defense Agency
Full-time · Dahlgren, VA · $102,415 – $158,322
This is a systems engineering role within the Department of Defense's Missile Defense Agency, focused on next-generation air defense systems and their integration across development and testing. It suits engineers with experience in complex weapons system integration, interface management, and risk mitigation who want to contribute to homeland defense capabilities.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
Supervisory Mechanical Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Omaha, NE · $118,204 – $145,483
A supervisory mechanical engineer position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, leading a design section while serving as the district's senior mechanical advisor on military, civil works, and environmental projects. The role suits experienced mechanical engineers ready to move into management and take responsibility for design quality across hydropower, flood control, HVAC, and related infrastructure systems.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
Electrical Engineer
Southwestern Power Administration
Jonesboro, AR · $57,999 – $103,709
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Naval Air Systems Command
Edwards, CA · $71,957 – $113,185
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
Electrical Engineer
GE Appliances
Louisville, KY
Listed on GE Appliances’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Systems Engineer
AeroVironment
Albuquerque, NM
Listed on AeroVironment’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Systems Engineer
Supercast
Washington, DC
Listed on Supercast’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Mechanical Engineer
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH
Listed on Cleveland Clinic’s careers site · Apply there ↗
Electrical Engineering (Operations & Transmission Planning )
Western Area Power Administration
Watertown, SD · $57,999 – $160,638
This is a developmental electrical engineering role focused on power system operations and long-term transmission planning within a federal utility authority. The position suits engineers early to mid-career who want to grow into independent responsibility for infrastructure studies, compliance work, and regional power system modeling.
Via USAJOBS · Apply there ↗
What employers state they pay
Median
$165,000
Middle half
$138,000 – $201,000
From 45 of 73 open roles — the 62% that publish a range, annualized to USD. Only some employers state pay, and the ones that do skew to California and New York, where the law requires it.
Who employers are hiring
- Entry12%
- Mid18%
- Senior52%
- Lead / Staff / Principal18%
From 67 roles whose posting states a level.
Skills Aerospace Engineer postings ask for
Measured from the 73 open roles, not from a curated list.
- MATLAB11 roles15.1%
- Python11 roles15.1%
- Control Systems6 roles8.2%
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)5 roles6.9%
- Simulink5 roles6.9%
- Structural Design5 roles6.9%
- Aerospace Engineering4 roles5.5%
- C++4 roles5.5%
- C#3 roles4.1%
- Fortran3 roles4.1%
Where Aerospace Engineer roles are
Among the 45 of 73 open roles we could place on a map.
Employers hiring Aerospace Engineers
14 in total, most open roles first.
- ISImpulse Space18 roles
- SAShield AI15 roles
- BBoeing14 roles
- RSRelativity Space8 roles
- AeroVironment4 roles
- AAArianespace / ArianeGroup4 roles
- CCesiumAstro2 roles
- SSStoke Space2 roles