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Aeronautical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Aeronautical Engineering Support position for Hybrid SATCOM is responsible for supporting the research, design, development, integration, and testing of aerospace systems and related technologies ...

Join Our Team as an Aeronautical Engineer - Hypersonic Aerodynamics where you will work on the development of a sophisticated state-of-the-art avionics product in a world class Integrated Product ...

Engineer Aeronautical 1 - Mass Properties Engineer Location: Chandler, AZ Job Type: Onsite | Contract Clearance: Active Secret Clearance Preferred Job Overview Prolim is seeking an entry-level Mass ...

The Aeronautical Engineering Support position for Hybrid SATCOM is responsible for supporting the research, design, development, integration, and testing of aerospace systems and related technologies ...

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Aeronautical Engineer information

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How much do aeronautical engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for aeronautical engineer in the United States is $62.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42.79 and $82.69 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 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 you do with aeronautical engineering?

Aeronautical engineers can work in aircraft design, development, testing, and maintenance, often employed by aerospace manufacturers, airlines, or government agencies. They may specialize in areas such as aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, or structural analysis, and typically require knowledge of CAD software and engineering principles. These roles involve designing and improving aircraft and spacecraft to ensure safety, efficiency, and performance.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced aerospace or aeronautical engineers working in senior roles, management, or specialized consulting can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and profit sharing. Such compensation typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and often work in the aerospace industry or at major defense contractors.

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 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 can an aeronautical engineer do?

An aeronautical engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains aircraft and spacecraft. They work on aerodynamics, propulsion systems, structural analysis, and avionics, often using CAD software and simulation tools. Their work typically involves research, prototyping, and ensuring safety and compliance with industry standards.

What jobs can you get as an aeronautical engineer?

Aeronautical engineers can work in aircraft design, development, testing, and maintenance, often employed by aerospace manufacturers, government agencies, or defense contractors. They may specialize in areas such as aerodynamics, propulsion, or avionics and typically use CAD software and engineering principles to improve aircraft performance and safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Aeronautical Engineer, and why are they important?

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.
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Infographic showing various Aeronautical Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $130,258 per year, or $62.6 per hour.
Principal or Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Landing Gear)

Principal or Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Landing Gear)

Northrop Grumman Corporation

San Diego, CA

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 339 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

107th of 518 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal or Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Landing Gear) to our team in El Segundo, CA or Rancho Bernardo, CA.

The selected candidate will be responsible for development, design, and integration of landing gear on an advanced aircraft.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Identify existing and/or conceptual landing gear systems to meet requirements, creating 3D models and layouts, and performing trade studies to analyze the impact of integrating proposed mechanisms systems onto aircraft, as well as identify main driver variables that most significantly impact top level program requirements.
  • Support advanced aircraft design efforts with landing gear system design, hardware selection, placement, preliminary sizing, and initial integration into different aircraft configurations. Secondary role is to provide mechanisms design support to other aircraft sub-systems, such as drive systems and door uplocks for in-flight door operation.
  • Develop landing gear system requirements and create the associated system specifications, supplier procurement specifications, and supplier SOWs. This will include, but is not limited to, creating functional architecture and activity diagrams, in collaboration with other sub-system engineering disciplines to understand power, cooling, signal, and structural interfaces for the landing gear system.
  • Support the supplier management team by being the primary technical interface between NGAS and landing gear supplier subject matter experts.
  • Participate in internal program, customer, and supplier technical exchange meetings and formal program milestone reviews to provide and/or obtain progress status updates.
  • Provide technical guidance to, and coordinate with, multiple engineering design teams, including the aircraft configuration team, the structures team, sub-systems team, and supplier management teams supporting the conceptual, preliminary, and detail design and development of the aircraft.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote/telework option for this role.

This position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

This position can be filled at either the Principal Aeronautical Engineer OR Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Aeronautical Engineer:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline with 5 years of related experience; OR a Master's Degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 3 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 1 year of related experience.
  • Prior experience with aircraft landing gear systems and landing gear design
  • Prior experience with 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software applications
  • Familiarity with industry standard software application tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, etc.
  • Current, active in-scope U.S. Government Secret security clearance
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline with 8 years of related experience; OR a Master's Degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 6 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 4 years of related experience.
  • Prior experience with aircraft landing gear systems and landing gear design
  • Prior experience with 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software applications
  • Familiarity with industry standard software application tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, etc.
  • Current, active in-scope U.S. Government Secret security clearance
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).

Preferred Qualifications for both levels:

  • Master's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related discipline
  • Expert knowledge of landing gear design including:
    • Landing gear placement (both deployed and retracted positions)
    • Landing gear loads and preliminary sizing
    • Shock struts
    • Wheel and tire selection
    • Braking systems
    • Retraction and locking systems
    • Landing gear door sequencing mechanisms
  • Experience with Siemens NX CAD application, including NX Motion module
  • Familiarity with development of landing gear doors, door actuation and door locks, as well as the development of in-flight door opening mechanisms
  • Prior experience leading a team of engineers
  • Prior experience in coordinating with multiple Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) within a dynamic program environment
  • Experience with suppliers and supplier coordination
Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The 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