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Aerospace Engineering Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Aerothermal Engineer

Indianapolis, IN · Hybrid

$94K - $153K/yr

JD/PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering * To be considered for this role, you must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a high-level security clearance. Preferred:

Aerothermal Engineer

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$94K - $153K/yr

JD/PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering * To be considered for this role, you must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a high-level security clearance. Preferred:

Sub-System Design Lead

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$114K - $185K/yr

Bachelors in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with 5+ years of design experience; OR * Master's Degree Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with 3+ years of design experience; OR * PhD in ...

Bachelors in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with 5+ years of design experience; OR * Master's Degree Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with 3+ years of design experience; OR * PhD in ...

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Aerospace Engineering information

See Indiana salary details

$40K

$103.4K

$157K

How much do aerospace engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerospace engineering in Indiana is $103,376.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,200.00 and $126,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs does aerospace engineering get you?

Aerospace engineering can lead to careers such as aerospace engineer, aircraft design engineer, propulsion engineer, systems engineer, and flight test engineer. These roles involve designing, testing, and maintaining aircraft and spacecraft, often requiring knowledge of aerodynamics, materials, and engineering software. Many positions are available in government agencies, defense contractors, and commercial aerospace companies.

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 strong background in mathematics, physics, and engineering principles, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and knowledge of industry standards like FAA regulations and certifications such as EIT or PE are commonly required. Problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for designing, testing, and collaborating on complex aerospace projects. These skills and qualifications are vital for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and innovation necessary in the demanding aerospace industry.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior aerospace engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in design and systems, and leadership roles can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation is often associated with working on complex projects, in managerial positions, or within defense and commercial aerospace sectors, sometimes supplemented by bonuses and stock options.

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

Aerospace engineers often collaborate with professionals from various disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, and software engineering. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication across different specialties, as each team may use distinct terminology and have unique technical priorities. Balancing conflicting requirements—like optimizing for both weight reduction and structural integrity—requires strong problem-solving and negotiation skills. Building effective working relationships and maintaining flexibility are key to overcoming these challenges and achieving successful project outcomes.

Can I make 200k as an aerospace engineer?

Earning a $200,000 salary as an aerospace engineer is possible but typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working in high-paying sectors such as defense or aerospace management. Salaries vary by location, employer, and level of expertise, with senior engineers and those in managerial roles more likely to reach or exceed this figure.

What kind of jobs do aerospace engineers get?

Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They often work in research and development, manufacturing, or testing environments, using tools like CAD software and adhering to safety and industry standards. These roles typically require a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field, with advanced positions sometimes requiring a master's or doctorate.

What is the difference between Aerospace Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectAerospace EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace or Aeronautical EngineeringBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentAircraft, spacecraft, and defense industriesManufacturing, energy, automotive, and robotics sectors
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, aerospace firms, government agenciesManufacturers, engineering consultancies, research labs
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering share foundational engineering principles, Aerospace Engineering specializes in aircraft and spacecraft design, aerodynamics, and propulsion systems. Mechanical Engineering offers a broader scope, covering various industries like automotive, energy, and manufacturing. The choice depends on your interest in aerospace-specific projects versus a wider range of mechanical systems.

What do aerospace engineers do?

Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They are responsible for improving flight safety, fuel efficiency, speed, and weight, while ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations. Their work can involve designing new technologies for aviation and space exploration, analyzing project proposals, and overseeing manufacturing and maintenance processes. Aerospace engineers typically specialize in either aeronautical (aircraft) or astronautical (spacecraft) engineering.
What are the most commonly searched types of Aerospace Engineering jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Aerospace Engineering jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Aerospace Engineering jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Aerospace Engineering job openings:

AE Defense Cold Section Design Engineer

Rolls-Royce

Indianapolis, IN

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Rolls-Royce rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 419 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description


Job Description

Job Title: AE Defense Cold Section Component Design Engineer

Working Pattern: Full-time

Working location: Indianapolis, IN

This AE 1107 / 3007 Defense Design role will lead and support the design, manufacture, development, and demonstration testing of cold section components and subsystems for the V22, MT7, MQ-25 and Global Hawk programs, including fan, compressor, and casing hardware. In this role, the candidate ensures that all sub-system definitions meet all program requirements and technical requirements. The technical accountability will map to the AE Defense Chief Engineer. The Design Engineer is also responsible for the creation of design definitions that meet system requirements and product attributes. The Design Engineer will exhibit strong technical knowledge in mechanical design methodologies and have an understanding of cross-discipline engineering concepts which include but are not limited to manufacturing engineering, cost engineering, and product definition.

Why Rolls-Royce?

Rolls-Royce is one of the most enduring and iconic brands in the world and has been at the forefront of innovation for over a century. We design, build and service systems that provide critical power to customers where safety and reliability are paramount.

We are proud to be a force for progress, powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.

We want to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that has shaped our history continues into our future and we need people like you to come and join us on this journey.

Rolls-Royce has been recognized as the top employer in the Engineering & Manufacturing category on the prestigious Forbes Top Employers for Engineers list for 2025. This ranking highlights our commitment to innovation, employee development, and fostering a collaborative environment where engineers can thrive.

At Rolls-Royce, we are committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel respected, supported, and empowered to do their best work. We foster a welcoming and innovative work environment that invests in you, giving you access to an incredible breadth and depth of opportunities where you can grow your career and make a difference.

Rolls-Royce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristics.

What you will be doing:

  • Deliver design solutions for gas turbine component(s) and complex assemblies in consideration of safety, manufacturing capability, product physical and functional robustness. Design solutions will address component requirements such as Unit Cost, Lifecycle Cost, Weight, Maintainability, Repair.

  • Perform engineering activities that include the following: mechanical design, analysis, hand calculations, tolerance stacks, presenting technical data, authoring technical reports, creating and reviewing functional and physical interfaces, and generating analysis requirements for components.

  • Support creation of detailed component definition (drawings and/or model based definition) and support manufacturing to produce conforming hardware.

  • Participate in Root Cause and Corrective Action teams, provide input for sub-system and system level risks, and complete risk assessments for owned components.

  • Create component requirements documents for owned hardware and hardware design concepts and perform trade studies to optimize hardware

  • Provide limits for engine and rig testing and supporting testing including assessment of test results and tested hardware

Who we're looking for:

At Rolls-Royce we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference. These principles form the behaviours that guide us and are an essential component of our assessment process. They are the fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles.

Basic Requirements:

  • Bachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with 1+ years of design experience OR

  • Master's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering OR

  • PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

  • Experience using computer aided design tools such as Siemens NX

  • In order to be considered for this opportunity, you must be eligible to obtain and maintain security clearance, which requires US Citizenship

Preferred Requirements:

  • Experience in the design of gas turbine components, especially fans and/or compressors

  • Familiarity with gas turbine component and sub-system design, including materials, structural analysis, dynamics, and aerothermal methods

  • Familiarity with engine assembly and testing

  • Experience using finite element analysis tools (such as ANSYS)

  • Programming skills such as Visual Basic, Python, PERL, C++ and/or computational tools such as Matlab

  • An excellent command of the English language for both written and oral communications

  • Experience withGeometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), and the creation of limit stacks

  • Experience with generic design processes as well as component specific design guidance

What we offer

We offer excellent development opportunities, a competitive salary, and exceptional benefits. These include bonus, employee support assistance and employee discounts.

Your needs are as unique as you are. Hybrid working is a way in which our people can balance their time between the office, home, or another remote location. It's a locally managed and flexed informal discretionary arrangement.As a minimum we're all expected to attend the workplace for collaboration and other specific reasons, on average three days per week.


Job Category
Mechanical Systems

Job Posting Date
19 Jun 2026; 00:06

Pay Range
$73,120 - $118,820-Annually


Location:

Indianapolis, IN


Benefits

Rolls-Royce provides a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that includes base pay and a discretionary bonus plan. Eligible employees may have the opportunity to enroll in other benefits, including health, dental, vision, disability, life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance; a flexible spending account; a health savings account; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match; Employee Assistance Program; Paid Time Off; certain paid holidays; paid parental and family care leave; tuition reimbursement; and a long-term incentive plan. The options available to an employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as date of hire, employment type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.


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