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Aircraft Design information

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$120K

$153K

$176K

How much do aircraft design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for aircraft 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.

How do you become an aircraft designer?

To become an aircraft designer, typically a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is required. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level engineering roles, developing skills in CAD software, and obtaining professional engineering licensure can also enhance career prospects in aircraft design.

How much do aircraft designers make?

Aircraft designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $115,000, with salaries varying based on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced designers or those in senior roles can earn significantly more. Strong skills in CAD software and aerospace engineering are often required for higher-paying positions.

What are the main challenges faced by professionals working in Aircraft Design?

Professionals in Aircraft Design often face the challenges of balancing innovative design solutions with strict safety regulations and industry standards. Meeting ambitious performance, weight, and cost targets while ensuring compliance with government certifications requires careful coordination and attention to detail. Working under tight project timelines and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams—including aerodynamics, systems, and manufacturing engineers—are also common aspects of the role. These challenges make the work dynamic, but also highly rewarding for those passionate about aviation innovation.

What career designs airplanes?

Aircraft design is typically carried out by aerospace engineers who specialize in creating and testing aircraft structures, systems, and aerodynamics. These professionals often hold degrees in aerospace engineering or related fields and use tools like CAD software to develop designs, adhering to safety and regulatory standards throughout the process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Aircraft Design position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Aircraft Design, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with CAD software, finite element analysis tools, and familiarity with industry standards such as FAA or EASA regulations are essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective teamwork skills are key soft skills for excelling in this role. These competencies ensure that innovative, safe, and efficient aircraft designs are developed while meeting rigorous industry standards and project objectives.

What is an Aircraft Design job?

An Aircraft Design job involves conceptualizing, developing, and optimizing aircraft structures, aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and avionics. Professionals in this field use engineering principles, computer-aided design (CAD) software, and simulations to create efficient, safe, and cost-effective aircraft. They work closely with aerospace engineers, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with industry standards. This role requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of materials and aerodynamics.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior aerospace engineers, including those specializing in aircraft design, can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation is often associated with senior positions, specialized expertise, or working in high-demand sectors within the aerospace industry.
More about Aircraft Design jobs
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Aircraft Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aircraft Design job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,999 per year, or $73.6 per hour.
Aircraft Advanced Design Software Engineer

Aircraft Advanced Design Software Engineer

JetZero

Long Beach, CA • On-site, Remote

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

The Aircraft Advanced Design Software Engineer will combine software engineering expertise with a strong foundation in aerospace analysis to build and sustain the tools that power JetZero's aircraft development. You'll be embedded within the Flight Sciences and Aircraft Design teams, collaborating across disciplines to translate complex engineering problems into robust, scalable software solutions. You'll work at the intersection of MATLAB-based MDO frameworks, 6DOF simulation, and conceptual sizing tools - modernizing legacy codebases while architecting new optimization capabilities. Working in a collaborative, agile environment, you'll play a critical role in shaping the analytical infrastructure that underpins the design of the Blended Wing Body aircraft from the ground up.

What You'll Do:
  • Lead the development, optimization, and scaling of in house aircraft design and analysis tools supporting conceptual sizing, configuration trades, and performance analysis
  • Improve computational performance, robustness, and usability of MATLAB and Simulink based tools, including MDO frameworks and 6 DOF flight simulation models
  • Profile, refactor, and modernize legacy scripts into maintainable, modular, and efficient software architectures
  • Research and architect optimization strategies and implement optimization capability
  • Collaborate closely with aircraft design, flight sciences, and systems engineers to translate analysis needs into performant software solutions
  • Establish best practices for coding standards, version control, documentation, and long term tool sustainability
What You Bring:
  • Strong programming expertise with MATLAB, including numerical methods, performance optimization, and large scale codebases
  • Hands on experience with Simulink, particularly for dynamic system or flight simulation modeling
  • Demonstrated ability to improve runtime efficiency, scalability, and reliability of engineering or scientific software
  • Solid understanding of aircraft design and performance fundamentals, sufficient to work effectively with aerospace engineers
  • Proficiency with version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative development workflows
  • Experience applying software engineering best practices in a technical or analytical environment
 Preferred Skills & Experience:
  • Experience with multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) or early phase aircraft design tools
  • Familiarity with MATLAB Compiler, code generation, and deployment of compiled analytical tools
  • Background in aerospace conceptual design, flight mechanics, or performance analysis
  • Exposure to parallel computing, algorithmic optimization, or high performance computing techniques
  • Experience working in fast paced aircraft development or advanced prototyping programs
Compensation: 

Our compensation package is a blend of base salary and equity options for eligible employees. The range for this role is $160,000 - $180,000. We consider a number of factors when presenting a final offer, including geography, internal equity and years of experience and expertise.  

Benefits 
  • Unlimited PTO 
  • 10 paid holidays 
  • 401(k) 
  • Medical, Dental, Vision insurance 
  • Disability Insurance 
  • Life Insurance 
  • Equity tax advisory services 
  • Supportive work culture 

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