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Aerospace Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Pathway Group

Aerospace Assembler

Signal Hill, CA

$18 - $25/hr

Aerospace Installer / Mechanical Assembler M-F 7:30am - 4:00PM $18-25/Hr. Position Summary We are seeking a skilled Aerospace Installer / Mechanical Assembler to join our production team. This role ...

Aerotek

Aerospace Structure Technician

Los Alamitos, CA · On-site

Drill precision holes in aerospace structural components and flight hardware, selecting appropriate drill motors, drill sizes, and drilling methods for each task. * Set up and use appropriate tooling ...

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, 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, CA 90245 US (Primary) Category Engineering Job Type Full-time Typical Pay/Range $195,000 ...

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

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, 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, CA 90245 US (Primary) Category Engineering Job Type Full-time Typical Pay/Range $170,000 ...

Crane Company

Aerospace Test Engineer

Burbank, CA · On-site

Crane Aerospace & Electronics supplies critical systems and components to the aerospace and defense markets. You'll find Crane Aerospace & Electronics in some of the toughest environments: from ...

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, CA 90245 US (Primary) Category Engineering Job Type Full-time Typical Pay/Range $190,000 ...

Crane Company

Aerospace Test Engineer

Burbank, CA · On-site

Crane Aerospace & Electronics supplies critical systems and components to the aerospace and defense markets. You'll find Crane Aerospace & Electronics in some of the toughest environments: from ...

Verstela

Aerospace Assembler

Burbank, CA

$23.83 - $30.56/hr

Join a world-class aerospace and electronics company whose work supports commercial aviation, defense systems, medical technology, and space exploration. You'll have the chance to contribute to ...

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Aerospace information

See California salary details

$13

$26

$49

How much do aerospace jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for aerospace in California is $26.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $30.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an aerospace job?

An aerospace job is a position that focuses on either aeronautical and astronautical technology. Aeronautical engineers develop aircrafts that stay in the earth’s atmosphere, such as helicopters, jets, and commercial airplanes. Astronautical engineers work on aircrafts that can break the atmosphere, such as missiles, rockets, satellites, and spacecraft. An aerospace job may fill any role vital to a company’s development of new flight technologies.

What is an aerospace engineer?

Aerospace engineers are professionals who design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They work on the science and technology behind flight within the Earth's atmosphere (aeronautical engineering) and beyond (astronautical engineering). Their responsibilities often include improving fuel efficiency, safety, and environmental impact of flight vehicles. Aerospace engineers work for government agencies, defense contractors, and private companies involved in aviation and space exploration.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in an aerospace engineering role?

To thrive in aerospace engineering, you need a solid foundation in physics, mathematics, and engineering principles, typically supported by a bachelor’s or advanced degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools like MATLAB or ANSYS, and relevant industry certifications such as EIT or PE are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively and tackle complex design challenges. These skills are crucial for ensuring innovation, safety, and reliability in the development of aerospace systems and technologies.

What are some common challenges faced when working on multidisciplinary teams in the aerospace industry?

In the aerospace industry, professionals often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams that include engineers, project managers, technicians, and specialists from various fields. One common challenge is effective communication, as each discipline may use different technical language or have distinct priorities. Coordinating complex projects requires strong organizational skills and adaptability to shifting requirements or deadlines. Successfully navigating these challenges can lead to more innovative solutions and provides valuable experience for career advancement.

What is the difference between Aerospace vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAerospaceMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Aerospace Engineering or related field; often requires FAA certificationsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; licensure optional
Work EnvironmentAircraft, spacecraft, defense systems; labs and manufacturing facilitiesFactories, design firms, R&D labs; diverse industries
Industry UsagePrimarily aerospace, defense, space explorationAutomotive, energy, manufacturing, robotics

While both aerospace and mechanical engineers design and develop complex systems, aerospace engineers specialize in aircraft and spacecraft, often requiring specific certifications and working in aerospace-focused environments. Mechanical engineers have a broader scope across various industries, focusing on mechanical systems and machinery.

More about Aerospace jobs

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

The most popular types of Aerospace jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Aerospace jobs?

Cities in California with the most Aerospace job openings:

Aerospace jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerospace job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,130 per year, or $26.5 per hour.

Aerospace Engineer

Poseidon Aerospace

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 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