ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Aircraft Conceptual Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cirrus Aircraft

Future Flight Decks Sr Principal Engineer

Duluth, MN · On-site

$167.51 - $251.26/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... aircraft development--ideation, hypothesis generation, stakeholder engagement, technology maturation, and conceptual design. The successful candidate for this role will be a balanced future-minded ...

Pivotal

Manager, Aircraft Design & Performance

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft ... Experience developing conceptual and preliminary aircraft sizing tools. * Experience with CFD and ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsTravel JobsAviation JobsAerospace Engineer JobsAircraft Conceptual Design Jobs

Aircraft Conceptual Design information

See salary details

$120K

$153K

$176K

How much do aircraft conceptual design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for aircraft conceptual design in the United States is $152,999.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $138,500.00 and $166,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is aircraft conceptual design?

Aircraft conceptual design is the initial phase in the aircraft design process where engineers and designers define the basic configuration, performance, and overall feasibility of a new aircraft. During this stage, key decisions are made about the aircraft's size, shape, propulsion, aerodynamics, and intended mission. The goal is to create a preliminary design that meets performance, safety, and cost requirements while considering regulatory constraints. This phase involves trade studies, sketches, and basic calculations before moving to more detailed design stages.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in aircraft conceptual design, and why are they important?

To thrive in Aircraft Conceptual Design, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering principles, aerodynamics, and structural analysis, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools, and industry standards is essential, along with experience using specialized design and simulation platforms. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective teamwork skills set top candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for producing innovative, feasible aircraft concepts that meet safety, performance, and regulatory requirements.

What are the common challenges faced by professionals in aircraft conceptual design, and how are they typically addressed within a team setting?

Professionals in Aircraft Conceptual Design often encounter challenges such as balancing innovative design ideas with strict safety regulations, meeting weight and performance targets, and accommodating evolving customer requirements. These challenges are typically addressed through collaborative brainstorming sessions, frequent interdisciplinary meetings, and iterative design reviews with specialists in aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion. Working closely with experienced engineers and using advanced modeling tools helps teams identify potential issues early, ensuring that creative solutions are both feasible and compliant with industry standards.

What is the difference between Aircraft Conceptual Design vs Aircraft Aerodynamics Engineer?

AspectAircraft Conceptual DesignAircraft Aerodynamics Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace Engineering, design experienceBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace Engineering, specialized in aerodynamics
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, early-stage project teamsResearch labs, testing facilities, aircraft development teams
Industry UsageInitial aircraft concept developmentRefining aircraft performance through aerodynamic analysis
Common Search/ComparisonDesign process, aircraft developmentAerodynamic analysis, flight performance

Aircraft Conceptual Design focuses on creating initial aircraft concepts, including layout and systems, while Aircraft Aerodynamics Engineer specializes in analyzing and optimizing airflow and performance. Both roles are essential in aircraft development but differ in scope and focus.

More about Aircraft Conceptual Design jobs

What cities are hiring for Aircraft Conceptual Design jobs?

Cities with the most Aircraft Conceptual Design job openings:

What states have the most Aircraft Conceptual Design jobs?

States with the most job openings for Aircraft Conceptual Design jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Aircraft Conceptual Design jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Aircraft Conceptual Design jobs are:

Aircraft Conceptual Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aircraft Conceptual Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,999 per year, or $73.6 per hour.

Director of Advanced Design

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,712 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

We are seeking a Director of Advanced Design for the Air Dominance & Strike hardware engineering organization. This role will oversee the conceptual design for Group 5 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and advanced missile platforms.
WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Direct the end-to-end conceptual design process for UAV and missile platforms, including mission analysis, configuration trade studies, requirements development, and architecture selection.
  • Serve as a technical expert for early-phase pursuits, shaping concept white-papers, customer proposals, and technology roadmaps, partnering with the chief engineering team.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with technical feasibility, affordability, and customer mission needs.
  • Support direct interactions with customers to translate mission requirements into design concepts.
  • Act as a senior technical decision-maker, applying engineering intuition and prior experience to ensure effective design paths and avoid costly development missteps.
  • Partner with Chief Engineers and product teams to align engineering execution with broader mission and capability goals.
  • Stay at the forefront of emerging aerospace technologies and threats, incorporating disruptive innovations into early-stage designs.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • 10+ years of experience in conceptual or preliminary design of aerospace systems, with technical leadership roles on Group 5 UAS, similar class aircraft, or advanced missile systems.
  • Demonstrated expertise in at least one of the core aerospace hardware disciplines: aerodynamics, structures, propulsion integration, or electrical systems.
  • Deep understanding of system architecture, mission requirements, and full product lifecycle development.
  • Proven experience leading high-performance engineering teams, ideally in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or related field.
  • Experience with rapid prototyping and iterative development environments.
  • Hands-on experience with advanced design tools, simulation, and test equipment.


Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Anduril Industries Jobs

Apply