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Aerospace Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aston Carter

Aerospace Project Manager

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Aerospace Project Manager We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Project Manager to join our aerospace forging operation during a critical period of commercial growth. This role is accountable for ...

Aston Carter

Aerospace Project Manager

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Aerospace Project Manager We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Project Manager to join our aerospace forging operation during a critical period of commercial growth. This role is accountable for ...

New

PPG

Project Manager, Aerospace Transparencies

Sylmar, CA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

As the Aerospace Transparencies Project Manager you will be responsible for planning, executing and closing technical engineering projects related to the continuous improvement of aerospace ...

Toyon

Aerospace Project Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$125K - $190K/yr

The Project Engineer on the Aerospace Advanced Systems Team will lead and manage the planning, execution, and oversight of projects focused on the design, integration, and testing of advanced ...

Archer

Program Manager, GNC Software

San Jose, CA

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related technical field * 10+ years of project or program management experience in aerospace ...

Archer

Program Manager, GNC Software

San Jose, CA · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related technical field * 10+ years of project or program management experience in aerospace ...

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Aerospace Project Manager information

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$78.5K

$117.4K

$236.4K

How much do aerospace project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerospace project manager in California is $117,442.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,400.00 and $121,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an aerospace project manager do?

An Aerospace Project Manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of aerospace projects, ensuring they meet technical, budgetary, and scheduling requirements. They coordinate teams, manage risks, and communicate with stakeholders to deliver aircraft, spacecraft, or defense-related systems. Their role requires strong leadership, problem-solving, and industry knowledge to navigate regulatory and engineering challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aerospace project manager?

To thrive as an Aerospace Project Manager, you need a solid background in engineering or aerospace disciplines, strong project management skills, and often a relevant bachelor's degree or higher. Familiarity with project management software (such as Microsoft Project or Primavera), aerospace industry standards, and certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) are typically beneficial. Exceptional leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities set top candidates apart in this role. These competencies ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to strict safety and quality standards in a highly regulated environment.

What are some common challenges aerospace project managers face in their daily work?

Aerospace Project Managers often encounter challenges such as coordinating large, multi-disciplinary teams, managing complex schedules, and navigating strict regulatory requirements. They must frequently adapt to evolving project scopes, unforeseen technical issues, and shifting stakeholder priorities. Balancing cost, quality, and safety while maintaining clear communication between engineers, clients, and vendors is a critical part of the job. Successfully meeting these challenges requires both technical knowledge and strong organizational skills, which also provides valuable experience and career growth opportunities within the aerospace industry.

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Aerospace Project Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Aerospace Project Manager job openings:

Aerospace Project Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerospace Project Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,442 per year, or $56.5 per hour.

Aerospace Project Manager

Aston Carter

El Cajon, CA • On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Aerospace Project Manager
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Project Manager to join our aerospace forging operation during a critical period of commercial growth. This role is accountable for leading production ramp-up and rate-readiness initiatives-aligning people, equipment/tooling, processes, suppliers, and quality systems to achieve safe, compliant, and on-time delivery performance. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across the shop floor and leadership team, drives structured execution (scope/schedule/cost/risk), and thrives in a fast-paced, highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
  • Lead end-to-end ramp-up and rate-readiness plans for major aerospace commercial programs, coordinating execution across operations, engineering, quality, supply chain, maintenance, and finance.
  • Develop and maintain integrated master schedules and resource plans, including long-lead raw material, outside processing, tooling, equipment capacity, staffing/training, and first-article/qualification milestones.
  • Own the project risk/opportunity register; identify constraints and drive mitigation plans with clear owners, due dates, and escalation paths.
  • Establish and report ramp-up KPIs, providing data-driven recommendations to leadership.
  • Facilitate daily/weekly operating cadences, readiness gate reviews, and cross-functional problem-solving sessions; publish clear agendas, decisions, and action-item closure.
  • Manage project budgets and capital/tooling plans; track actuals vs. plan, forecast to completion, and support purchase justification, vendor coordination, installation, and commissioning activities.
  • Partner with Supply Chain to ensure supplier readiness and long-lead procurement, including capacity/risk assessments and recovery plans.
  • Coordinate manufacturing readiness deliverables in alignment with customer requirements and the site quality system.
  • Drive disciplined change control throughout ramp-up, ensuring impacts to cost, schedule, capacity, and customer commitments are assessed and communicated.

Essential Skills
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial/Metallurgical).
  • 3+ years of project/program management experience in manufacturing, including at least 1 year in aerospace/defense or another regulated environment.
  • Experience with project scheduling tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent) and comfort working with manufacturing systems/data (ERP/MRP, capacity models, Excel/BI dashboards).
  • PMP certification (or active pursuit) preferred; Lean/Six Sigma and/or APQP/PPAP familiarity is a plus.
  • Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities in a high-tempo environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications
  • Experience developing and maintaining integrated master schedules and resource plans.
  • Budget and CapEx tracking experience.
  • ERP/MRP system experience required - current system is Great Plains, transitioning to Microsoft Dynamics 365.
  • SAP or Oracle experience a plus.
  • AS9100 or NADCAP familiarity beneficial but not required.
  • Highly organized, methodical, and process-driven.

Work Environment
This position is 100% onsite in El Cajon, CA at the Precision Metal Products forge facility. Approximately 60% of the time is spent on the production floor with 40% in the office, with some weeks shifting to 70/30 floor heavy depending on the program phase. The role is a high-visibility position with direct interaction with the CEO, VP of Operations, and plant leadership. The position offers cross-functional exposure spanning virtually every department including engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, HR, production, and external vendors.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of El Cajon, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $130000.00/yr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
benefits, PTO, etc provided upon offer
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in El Cajon,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
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About Aston Carter

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Aston Carter, we're dedicated to expanding career opportunities for the skilled professionals who power our business. Our success is driven by the talented, motivated people who join our team across a range of positions - from recruiting, sales and delivery to corporate roles. As part of our team, employees have the opportunity for long-term career success, where hard work is rewarded and the potential for growth is limitless. Established in 1997, Aston Carter is a leading staffing and consulting firm, providing high-caliber talent and premium services to more than 7,000 companies across North America. Spanning four continents and more than 200 offices, we extend our clients' capabilities by seeking solvers and delivering solutions to address today's workforce challenges. For organizations looking for innovative solutions shaped by critical-thinking professionals, visit AstonCarter.com. Aston Carter is a company within Allegis Group, a global leader in talent solutions.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hanover, MA, US

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