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Aeronautical Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Computer programming abilities. Job Conditions Some travel required. Preferred Qualifications Aircraft Structures or Aeronautical Engineering Degree Preferred. Extensive Experience in Design and ...

... of Transportation (TDOT) Aeronautics Division. One (1) position is in the Planning and ... including programming phase; * Assisting communities on technical aspects of terminal and visual ...

... TDOT Aeronautics: o Drone [Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)] Training and Oversight Specialist § ... Engineering Division the TDOT drone quarterly meetings; o Obtain an UAS FAA Part 107 license or ...

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Aeronautical Engineer information

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How much do aeronautical engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for aeronautical engineer in Tennessee is $56.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.85 and $75.05 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Aeronautical Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Aeronautical Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Aeronautical Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

For Aeronautical Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Aeronautical Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Aeronautical Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Aeronautical Engineer jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Aeronautical Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Aeronautical Engineer jobs in TN?

For Aeronautical Engineer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Aeronautical Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,225 per year, or $56.8 per hour.

Chief Safety Basis Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site


Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Scientific Research and Development Services • 5 - 10K employees

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 120 rated laboratories

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


$150 - $190/hr

Other

Life, Retirement

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

life insurance, parental leave, 401(k), retirement plan, relocation assistance

We are seeking a Chief Safety Basis Engineer who will primarily focus on safety basis quality and adequacy for all nuclear facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The Chief Safety Basis Engineer is the senior nuclear safety engineer within ORNL's Nuclear Facility Safety Division (NFSD). Nuclear Facilities Safety Division resides in the Environment Safety Health & Quality (ESH\&Q) Directorate at ORNL.

As part of our team, you will be given the opportunity to grow in leadership while contributing to the team environment to accomplish the tasks needed to support safe and efficient operations of the HFIR reactor and non‑reactor nuclear facilities across the ORNL compass. The successful candidate must be a leader with the ability to communicate with various levels of management and engineering disciplines, build team cohesion, and one who values diversity of opinion, education, and experiences.

Major Duties/Responsibilities
  • Report to the NFSD Director.
  • Serve as the chair of the Laboratory Facility Authorization Basis Board (LFABB).
  • Provide independent technical reviews of changes to safety basis and technical safety requirement documents for all nuclear facilities at ORNL, as required by the NFSD Director.
  • Provide independent technical reviews of all documents associated with the ORNL Unreviewed Safety Question (USQ) process, as required by the NFSD Director.
  • Serve as lead safety analyst for emergency response team activation at HFIR reactor.
  • Support the NFSD Director in developing strategic and tactical policies that affect the production and maintenance of safety envelopes for all ORNL nuclear facilities.
  • Provide technical mentoring to all NFSD nuclear safety staff with regards to requirements within 10 CFR 830, various DOE directives, and governing standards for nuclear facility safety.
  • Establish technical interface relationships for stakeholders outside NFSD.
  • Assist the NFSD Director in resolving issues related to 10 CFR 830 compliance, training NFSD nuclear safety and criticality safety staff, expanding the capabilities and competence of the division.
  • Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.
Basic Qualifications
  • A BS degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a related engineering discipline with 12 years of experience, or
  • A master's degree in an applicable engineering field with 10 years of experience, or
  • A PhD in an applicable engineering field with 7 years of experience.
  • Years of experience for each education level must have been in a position responsible for complying with the requirements of 10 CFR 830, subpart B.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience managing, leading, and motivating professional staff.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Motivated self‑starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
  • Ability to function well in a fast‑paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.
Special Requirements
  • Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • Q clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre‑placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT‑Battelle is an E‑Verify employer.

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