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Aerospace Engineer Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Auterion

GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related ... Hands-on drone experience, including piloting, is a plus * US citizenship & eligibility to obtain ...

Ideal Aerosmith

RC Pilot

MD · Remote

... aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing ... The RC Pilot will serve as a pilot and hands-on technical member of Ideal Aerosmith's UAS flight ...

Ideal Aerosmith

RC Pilot

Rockville, MD · On-site

... aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing ... The RC Pilot will serve as a pilot and hands-on technical member of Ideal Aerosmith's UAS flight ...

Archer

Staff GNC Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$154K - $228K/yr

Archer is an aerospace and defense company headquartered in San Jose, California, building the ... Piloting experience (aircraft or rotorcraft) At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate ...

Auterion

GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related ... Hands-on drone experience, including piloting, is a plus * US citizenship & eligibility to obtain ...

Auterion

GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related ... Hands-on drone experience, including piloting, is a plus * US citizenship & eligibility to obtain ...

Archer

Staff GNC Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$175K - $220K/yr

... Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related field with at least 9 years of ... Piloting experience (aircraft or rotorcraft) Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer ...

Grandforksiscooler

... aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing ... The UAS Pilot will support the final assembly, integration, functional checkout, and flight ...

Skyryse

Experimental Test Pilot

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$175K - $250K/yr

Our technology gives pilots greater control by simplifying the management of any aircraft during ... Bachelor's or advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering or other engineering discipline * FAA Class ...

Skyryse

Experimental Test Pilot

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$175K - $250K/yr

Our technology gives pilots greater control by simplifying the management of any aircraft during ... Bachelor's or advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering or other engineering discipline * FAA Class ...

Ideal Aerosmith

UAS Pilot

Rockville, MD · On-site

... aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing ... The UAS Pilot will support the final assembly, integration, functional checkout, and flight ...

RAVN Aerospace

Intern (Flight Ops AI)

Houston, TX · On-site

$16 - $20.75/hr

As part of the RAVN team, you'll be at the forefront of revolutionizing pilot training on military grade aircrafts and aerospace engineering in the defense sector. RAVN provides combat or high ...

Garmin Ltd.

Senior Flight Test Pilot

Arizona City, AZ · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering AND a minimum of 5 years relevant ... Commercial Pilot Certificate * 2nd Class FAA Medical Certificate * Minimum 1,500 hours total flight ...

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Aerospace Engineer Pilot information

See salary details

$42K

$108.6K

$165K

How much do aerospace engineer pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerospace engineer pilot in the United States is $108,638.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an aerospace engineer pilot?

Aerospace Engineer Pilots are professionals who combine expertise in aerospace engineering with piloting skills. They are typically responsible for designing, testing, and operating aircraft or spacecraft, often taking part in flight tests to evaluate new designs or technologies. Their unique combination of engineering and piloting knowledge allows them to provide valuable feedback on performance, safety, and functionality. Aerospace Engineer Pilots may work with research organizations, government agencies, or aerospace manufacturers, contributing to advancements in aviation and space exploration.

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

To thrive as an Aerospace Engineer Pilot, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering principles, flight dynamics, and typically hold an engineering degree along with a commercial or military pilot license. Proficiency with flight simulation software, avionics systems, and industry-standard design tools such as CAD is crucial. Exceptional problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient flight operations and innovative engineering solutions in complex aerospace environments.

How do aerospace engineer pilots typically balance engineering responsibilities with flight operations in their daily work?

Aerospace Engineer Pilots often split their time between designing, testing, and analyzing aircraft systems and actively participating in flight operations, such as test flights or simulator sessions. This dual role requires strong time management skills and close collaboration with both engineering teams and flight crews. Balancing these responsibilities can be challenging, as it involves switching between technical problem-solving and hands-on piloting tasks, but it also offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment. Many organizations support this by providing structured schedules and clear communication channels between departments.

What is the difference between Aerospace Engineer Pilot vs Aerospace Engineer?

AspectAerospace Engineer PilotAerospace Engineer
Required CredentialsPilot certifications, FAA licenses, engineering degreesEngineering degrees, specialized certifications in aerospace
Work EnvironmentAircraft, flight decks, aerospace facilitiesLaboratories, design offices, manufacturing plants
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, aerospace companies, government agenciesManufacturers, research institutions, defense contractors

While both roles involve aerospace knowledge, Aerospace Engineer Pilots focus on flying aircraft and hold pilot licenses, whereas Aerospace Engineers design and develop aircraft and spacecraft. The roles differ in credentials, work environment, and industry application, but both are essential in the aerospace industry.

What are popular job titles related to Aerospace Engineer Pilot jobs?

For Aerospace Engineer Pilot jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Aerospace Engineer Pilot job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

GNC Engineer

Arlington, VA • On-site

Auterion
See more jobs at Auterionexternal

$140K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

As a GNC Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and sustaining the guidance, navigation, and control software that powers Auterion's Skynode platform, built on PX4.

Your primary focus will be enabling strike drone capabilities, including integration of Auterion's software stack onto partner hardware and ensuring reliable performance in operational environments.

You will work closely with product and field teams to improve system performance, support deployments, and rapidly troubleshoot issues observed during testing and real-world operations.

Responsibilities and Duties:

  • Develop and maintain guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) capabilities within PX4 and AuterionSDK, including new features, performance improvements, and automated testing
  • Own and evolve the US guidance controller for strike applications, ensuring robustness and mission effectiveness
  • Define, analyze, and review software requirements to meet customer needs, system performance targets, and quality standards
  • Design and implement flight- and mission-critical onboard software for unmanned systems
  • Diagnose and resolve GNC-related issues from field operations through flight log analysis, providing rapid initial assessment and driving root-cause resolution
  • Work closely with product, integration, and flight operations teams to support deployments and continuously improve system performance
  • Travel to customer sites (typically 1-2 weeks at a time) to support platform integration, testing, and advanced GNC tuning

Qualifications and Skills:

  • Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
  • Strong grasp of flight dynamics and fundamentals of aerodynamics
  • Proficient in C/C++ (particularly on Linux based systems and memory-constrained embedded processors) and Python
  • Working knowledge of PX4 or comparable autopilot technology
  • Experience programming robotic applications in ROS/ROS2
  • Understanding of Kalman filtering and other state estimation algorithms
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills to keep a global team fully informed
  • Hands-on drone experience, including piloting, is a plus
  • US citizenship & eligibility to obtain secret clearance required. 

Base Salary Range: $140,000 - $170,000

Benefits:

  • Flexible working hours
  • Stock Options
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Health Insurance (includes dental & vision)
  • Medical flex spending
  • Life Insurance
  • Retirement Plan - 401k with company match 
  • Enhanced maternity & paternity leave

About Auterion

We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems.

At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you'll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.

Apply