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Aeronautical Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Chipton Ross

Aeronautical Engineer

Del Rey, CA · On-site

$135/hr

Job #219011 Chipton-Ross is seeking a Aeronautical Engineer for a contract opportunity in Palmdale, CA. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS (REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE) * Experience in airframe structure design and ...

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How much do aeronautical engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for aeronautical engineer in California is $61.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42.21 and $81.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an aeronautical engineer?

An aeronautical engineer works with aircraft and their propulsion systems. As an aeronautical engineer, your job is to design, develop, and implement new procedures and technologies for the creation and maintenance of aircraft components. Specific duties involve testing new designs and materials, assessing parts that were damaged or malfunctioned during flight, and collaborating with designers, pilots, and other engineers. You play an essential role in the aircraft manufacturing process. Aeronautical engineer positions are typically available with aircraft and aerospace manufacturers, government agencies, defense contractors, and aerospace engineering firms.

What does an aeronautical engineer do?

An aeronautical engineer designs, develops, tests, and helps manufacture aircraft such as airplanes and helicopters. They focus on the aerodynamic performance, materials, structural integrity, and systems of air vehicles. Their responsibilities include ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulations, as well as addressing environmental and economic concerns in aviation. Aeronautical engineers often work for aerospace companies, government agencies, or research organizations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aeronautical engineer?

To thrive as an Aeronautical Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering principles, physics, mathematics, and typically a bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools like MATLAB or ANSYS, and industry certifications such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license are highly valued. Problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating on complex projects and presenting technical information. These skills and qualifications are essential for developing safe, innovative, and efficient aircraft and aerospace systems in a highly regulated, multidisciplinary environment.

What are some typical challenges faced by aeronautical engineers when working on new aircraft designs?

Aeronautical engineers often face challenges such as meeting stringent safety regulations, balancing weight and fuel efficiency, and integrating advanced technologies within strict timelines. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—like avionics, materials science, and manufacturing—is essential to address these complexities. Staying up-to-date with evolving industry standards and addressing unexpected technical issues during prototype testing are also common aspects of the role.

What is the difference between Aeronautical Engineer vs Aerospace Engineer?

AspectAeronautical EngineerAerospace Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Aeronautical Engineering or related fieldBachelor's in Aerospace Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, test aircraft and related systemsDesign, develop, test aircraft and spacecraft
Industry UsagePrimarily in aviation industryIn both aviation and space industries

Both aeronautical and aerospace engineers share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, focusing on aircraft design and testing. However, aerospace engineers have a broader scope, including spacecraft and satellites, making their roles more diverse within the aerospace industry.

What jobs can an aeronautical engineer do?

An aeronautical engineer can work in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. They often work in aerospace manufacturing, research and development, or government agencies, utilizing skills in aerodynamics, materials, and propulsion. Certification and knowledge of CAD software are also important in this field.

What kind of work does an aeronautical engineer do?

An aeronautical engineer designs, develops, tests, and improves aircraft and spacecraft. They work on aerodynamics, propulsion systems, materials, and structural analysis, often using computer-aided design (CAD) software and adhering to safety and industry standards.
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Aeronautical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aeronautical Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,552 per year, or $61.8 per hour.

Aeronautical Engineer OR Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics)

Redondo Beach, CA • On-site

Northrop Grumman Corporation
Space Research Administration • 10K+ employees

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 545 rated manufacturers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about Northrop Grumman Corporationexternal

$114K - $171K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman's Aeronautics Systems - Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We're the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what's possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you're driven to invent the future, build what's next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for an Aeronautical Engineer OR Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics) to support our R&AD division. This position will be located in Redondo Beach, CA.
This position will conduct preliminary design and analysis of advanced manned and unmanned air vehicles demonstrating technical expertise and knowledge of other related disciplines.
Responsibilities Include:
  • Aerodynamic analysis, aerodynamic database generation, and wind tunnel test support for aircraft designs
  • Design synthesis and optimization of vehicles to mission requirements
  • Conduct aerodynamic analysis and design trade studies to define and evaluate advanced concepts, predict aerodynamic behavior, identify technology requirements, and provide design guidance to the other team disciplines.
  • Develop technical solutions to various problems, which require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity.
  • Interact with and brief external stakeholders

This position can be filled at either the Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics) level OR the Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics) level, depending upon the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics)
  • Bachelor of Science in a related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 2 years of relevant professional engineering experience OR a Master of Science in a related STEM discipline with 0 years of professional engineering experience.
  • Experience building aerodynamic databases from test and analysis data
  • Experience with aircraft aerodynamic conceptual design and drag build up
  • Experience with stability and control vehicle assessments
  • Active US Government Secret clearance (or higher)
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP). This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics)
  • Bachelor of Science in a related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 5 years of relevant professional engineering experience; OR a Master of Science in a related STEM discipline with 3 years of relevant professional engineering experience; OR a PhD in a related STEM discipline with 1 year of relevant professional engineering experience.
  • Experience building aerodynamic databases from test and analysis data
  • Experience with aircraft aerodynamic conceptual design and drag build up
  • Experience with stability and control vehicle assessments
  • Active US Government Secret clearance (or higher)
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP). This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
  • Experience with Aircraft System Identification
  • Experience with Wind Tunnel Test Planning and Support

Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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