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Aerospace Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Alutiiq, LLC

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$195K - $250K/yr

Taxable Entity MCCALLIE ASSOCIATES INC Job Title Aerospace Engineer Location CA Los Angeles AFB - El Segundo, 90245 US (Primary) Category Engineering Job Type Full-time Typical Pay/Range $195,000 to ...

Alutiiq

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$195K - $250K/yr

This role brings deep, recognized expertise in aerospace systems engineering and serves as a technical authority for complex integration challenges across Space Sensing's portfolio of satellite ...

Alutiiq

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$190K - $240K/yr

Provide SME-level aerospace engineering expertise on missile warning ground processing, mission management, and operational delivery Lead engineering reviews of ground processing architectures ...

Alutiiq

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$170K - $210K/yr

Provide SME-level aerospace engineering expertise for missile warning mission ground systems including command and control, mission processing, and ground segment architecture Lead engineering ...

Alutiiq, LLC

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

Taxable Entity MCCALLIE ASSOCIATES INC Job Title Aerospace Engineer Location CA Los Angeles AFB - El Segundo, 90245 US (Primary) Category Engineering Job Type Full-time Typical Pay/Range $170,000 to ...

Alutiiq, LLC

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$190K - $240K/yr

Taxable Entity MCCALLIE ASSOCIATES INC Job Title Aerospace Engineer Location CA Los Angeles AFB - El Segundo, 90245 US (Primary) Category Engineering Job Type Full-time Typical Pay/Range $190,000 to ...

Naval Air Systems Command

AEROSPACE ENGINEER

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$46K - $132K/yr

This position is for an Aerospace Engineer within the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, located at Naval Base Coronado, San Diego, California. * The purpose of this position is to perform in-service ...

IESE Solutions

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

IESE Solutions is seeking Aerospace Systems Engineers to support the U.S. Space Forces mission of delivering warfighter capability via the Space Systems Command (SSC) directorates. Positions are ...

IESE Solutions

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA

IESE Solutions is seeking Aerospace Systems Engineers to support the U.S. Space Forces mission of delivering warfighter capability via the Space Systems Command (SSC) directorates. Positions are ...

IESE Solutions

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

IESE Solutions is seeking Aerospace Systems Engineers to support the U.S. Space Forces mission of delivering warfighter capability via the Space Systems Command (SSC) directorates. Positions are ...

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All JobsAerospace Engineer JobsAerospace Engineer Jobs in California

Aerospace Engineer information

See California salary details

$41.5K

$107.2K

$162.8K

How much do aerospace engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerospace engineer in California is $107,216.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,300.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do aerospace engineers do?

Aerospace Engineers manufacture and design aircraft, satellites, missiles, aeronautical and astronautical products and technologies for development, research, defense, and commercial use. They document and evaluate the production of aircraft and aircraft technologies, including commercial and military airplanes, propulsion systems, navigation systems, instrumentation, communication, and thermodynamic and aerodynamic materials used in flight. Aerospace Engineers use highly complex computer systems and software to model, design, evaluate, and simulate parts, products, and vehicles in order to determine if proposals are financially feasible and whether designs will meet regulatory and safety standards. They confer with each other on large-scale projects that require group input, completing a multitude of tasks on a single project through the shared duties of many engineers.

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

To thrive as an Aerospace Engineer, you need a solid background in aerodynamics, propulsion, materials science, and systems engineering, typically backed by a bachelor's or master'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 commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you excel in collaborative and innovative environments. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing safe, efficient, and cutting-edge aerospace systems that meet rigorous industry standards.

What is the difference between Aerospace Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAerospace EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in aerospace or aeronautical engineering; often a Professional Engineer (PE) licenseBachelor's in mechanical engineering; PE license optional
Work EnvironmentDesigning aircraft, spacecraft, satellites; working in labs, design offices, and manufacturingDesigning machinery, engines, HVAC systems; working in factories, labs, and offices
Industry UsageAerospace, defense, space explorationAutomotive, manufacturing, energy, robotics
Common Search/ComparisonYesNo

In summary, aerospace engineers specialize in designing and developing aircraft and spacecraft, often requiring specific aerospace credentials and working in specialized environments. Mechanical engineers have a broader focus on machinery and systems across various industries, with more general credentials. The key difference lies in their industry focus and the types of projects they handle.

What are some common challenges aerospace engineers face when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Aerospace engineers often collaborate with professionals from fields like electrical, mechanical, and software engineering, which can present communication and coordination challenges. Navigating different technical languages, aligning project goals, and integrating diverse components require strong teamwork and adaptability. Successful aerospace engineers proactively build cross-functional relationships, participate in regular project meetings, and stay open to feedback to ensure seamless integration of all systems. These collaborative skills are just as essential as technical expertise in bringing complex aerospace projects to completion.
More about Aerospace Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Aerospace Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Aerospace Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Aerospace Engineer jobs in California?

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

What job categories do people searching Aerospace Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Aerospace Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Aerospace Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Aerospace Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Aerospace Engineer jobs in CA?

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

Aerospace Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerospace Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $107,216 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Aerospace Engineer

Poseidon Aerospace

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

About Poseidon Aerospace:
Poseidon Aerospace is reimagining how the world moves goods. We build and operate full-size autonomous cargo aircraft; Heron, a seaplane, and Egret, a STOL aircraft; each capable of carrying two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. From remote communities to contested logistics operations, our platforms unlock a new cost curve for air freight, making it faster, cheaper, and accessible anywhere it's needed. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with locations in Washington DC, Oregon, and Maine; we're building something consequential.
As an Aerospace Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will shape the aerodynamic and performance characteristics of our next-generation composite aircraft. Your work will include CFD modeling, aerodynamic optimization, performance analysis, and test correlation. You will help translate flight objectives such as speed, range, and efficiency into manufacturable aircraft. The role combines analytical work with hands-on testing and collaboration across design and manufacturing teams.
Responsibilities:
  • Design and validate aerodynamic surfaces, configurations, and control geometries using CFD analysis and historical data
  • Support flight dynamics modeling and simulation for stability, control, and performance assessment
  • Provide input on propulsion integration, cooling airflow, and control surface sizing
  • Work with mechanical and manufacturing engineers to ensure aerodynamic designs are practical and efficient to produce
  • Conduct aerodynamic load analyses to ensure the airframe is supported
  • Create and maintain aerodynamic databases, performance models, and engineering documentation
  • Correlate CFD and analytical predictions with flight test data
  • Participate in flight testing and data review to compare measured results with predicted performance
  • Aid in the development of flight simulation models

Ideal Qualifications:
  • Proficiency with CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent, Star-CCM+, XFLR5
  • Experience using CAD software such as Fusion 360, SolidWorks, CATIA, or NX for geometry creation and surface preparation
  • Strong understanding of aerodynamics, stability and control, and aircraft performance
  • Familiarity with mesh design and refinement including fluent meshing
  • Working knowledge of structural analysis and load validation
  • Ability to interpret flight test data and create analytical performance models
  • Understanding of composite design and manufacturing methods for aerodynamic surfaces
  • Independent, practical engineer comfortable in a hands-on development environment

Nice to Have:
  • Experience with flight testing, data acquisition, or post-flight data analysis
  • Experience with X-Plane aircraft design
  • Background in seaplane design
  • Experience with wind tunnel or scaled model testing
  • Programming skills in Python or MATLAB for CFD and performance automation
  • Basic experience with FEA for assessing load paths or aerodynamic-induced stresses

What you get from us
  • Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity
  • Relocation support if applicable
  • Employee Health Benefit Plans
  • 6% Retirement matching
  • Flexible PTO
  • Free lunches, snacks, and a stocked fridge at our offices
  • AI tools and subscriptions

Even if you don't meet every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply. At Poseidon Aerospace, we value diverse perspectives and are always looking for talented individuals with unconventional backgrounds.

Apply