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Aerospace Engineering Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Engineering Director - Aerospace Location: Newport News, VA Job Type: Direct Hire Starting Salary: $130,000/year, with higher compensation available based on experience Position Overview Seeking an ...

New

Engineering Director - Aerospace Location: Newport News, VA Job Type: Direct Hire Starting Salary: $130,000/year, with higher compensation available based on experience Position Overview Seeking an ...

New

Direct Hire Starting Salary: $130,000/year (higher based on experience) Position Overview We are ... The ideal candidate has a strong background in aerospace or defense engineering leadership and is ...

Scout Space is seeking a mission-driven Director of Engineering to lead the execution, growth, and ... Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering ...

Scout Space is seeking a mission-driven Director of Engineering to lead the execution, growth, and ... Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering ...

Scout Space is seeking a mission-driven Director of Engineering to lead the execution, growth, and ... Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering ...

Scout Space is seeking a mission-driven Director of Engineering to lead the execution, growth, and ... Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering ...

Director of Engineering

Newport News, VA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

Who We Are Looking For We are seeking an experienced Director of Engineering to lead and scale our ... Stay current on state-of-the-art aerospace engineering practices, tools, and methods. Support ...

Aerospace Quality Leader

Sterling, VA · On-site

$102K - $136K/yr

We offer the opportunity to make a direct impact on flight safety in a highly regulated environment ... Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 3 years of Engineering ...

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Aerospace Engineering Director information

See Virginia salary details

$72.4K

$193K

$251.8K

How much do aerospace engineering director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerospace engineering director in Virginia is $193,039.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $140,300.00 and $250,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an aerospace engineering director?

An Aerospace Engineering Director oversees the design, development, and testing of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. They lead engineering teams, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Their role involves strategic planning, collaborating with executives, and integrating new technologies to enhance aerospace products. Strong leadership, technical expertise, and project management skills are essential for success in this position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aerospace engineering director?

To thrive as an Aerospace Engineering Director, you need a robust background in aerospace engineering, project management experience, and typically a relevant advanced degree (such as a Master's in Engineering or an MBA). Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, regulatory compliance systems, and certifications such as PMP or Six Sigma are often required. Outstanding leadership, strategic decision-making, and strong communication skills differentiate top performers in this role. These skills and qualifications are critical for overseeing complex projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring that rigorous engineering standards and business goals are met.

What are some common challenges faced by aerospace engineering directors in their daily work?

Aerospace Engineering Directors often manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously, requiring excellent prioritization and time management skills. They must regularly address technical challenges, regulatory compliance issues, and evolving client demands, often under tight deadlines. Additionally, this role involves balancing the needs of engineering teams, upper management, and external stakeholders while ensuring projects remain on schedule and within budget. Adaptability, proactive problem-solving, and strong leadership are key to successfully navigating these challenges and maintaining project momentum.

What are the most commonly searched types of Aerospace Engineering jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Aerospace Engineering jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Aerospace Engineering Director jobs in Virginia?

For Aerospace Engineering Director jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Aerospace Engineering Director jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Aerospace Engineering Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Aerospace Engineering Director job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $193,039 per year, or $92.8 per hour.

Engineering Director - Aerospace

Qualdoc

Newport News, VA • On-site

$130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Engineering Director - Aerospace

Location: Newport News, VA
Job Type: Direct Hire
Starting Salary: $130,000/year, with higher compensation available based on experience

Position Overview

Seeking an experienced engineering leader to oversee multidisciplinary teams spanning Mechanical, Structural, Electrical, and Aerodynamic engineering. This position owns engineering strategy, team development, program execution, and technical delivery from initial feasibility through design, qualification testing, and production.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead engineering programs, including staffing, scheduling, workload planning, estimates, budgets, and resource allocation.
  • Manage multiple engineering programs with varying scope and priorities.
  • Build, develop, and improve a high-performing engineering organization.
  • Provide coaching, career development, and technical leadership.
  • Monitor product development milestones and communicate progress to senior management.
  • Investigate missed targets and implement corrective actions, including training, process, and methodology improvements.
  • Establish and maintain engineering design review processes, technical guidelines, and development standards.
  • Conduct and oversee design reviews for technical quality and compliance.
  • Establish department goals, KPIs, priorities, and performance initiatives.
  • Serve as the primary engineering interface for Sales and Operations on technical strategy and delivery planning.
  • Support business development and proposals, including technical compliance matrices and engineering feasibility assessments.
  • Promote innovation while maintaining focus on product safety, manufacturability, and cost effectiveness.
  • Maintain current knowledge of aerospace engineering practices, tools, and methods.
  • Support AS9100, Lean, and other quality initiatives.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 10+ years of progressive engineering management experience, preferably in aerospace or defense.
  • Experience with aerospace product development, including STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) and FAA certification processes.
  • 5+ years of experience with FAR compliance and signature authority in an FAA and/or military certification environment.
  • Experience managing multiple concurrent engineering programs.
  • Strong project management, planning, organizational, and team leadership skills.
  • Ability to influence stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Strong customer-facing relationship management and communication skills.
  • Ability to analyze complex technical and business requirements.
  • Proficiency with SolidWorks and Microsoft Office.
  • U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Business acumen; Business Administration or Finance background preferred.
  • Familiarity with commercial and Department of Defense (DOD) contracting processes.
  • Broad knowledge of engineering, aircraft modification, FAA certification, and STC processes.
Security Clearance
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required for clearance eligibility.
  • Clearance processing is handled through DISCO (Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office).
Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be measured through:

  • Engineering staff productivity and utilization.
  • Quality performance and FAA/MCO compliance.
  • Schedule and milestone performance across programs.
  • Effectiveness of design review, governance, and risk management.
  • On-time qualification testing and transition to production.
  • Continuous improvement, including root-cause closure, process adoption, and training effectiveness.
Additional Requirements
  • Ongoing technical and compliance training as required.
  • Certification, AS9100, and Lean training as applicable.
  • Up to 50% domestic and international travel.
  • Ability to occasionally lift or move bulky items weighing more than 50 lbs.
  • Participation in a Drug Free Workplace Drug Testing Program.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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About Qualdoc

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Strategic planning consulting services

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

2020