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Aircraft Designer Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Swarm Aero Inc.

Mechanical Engineer, Aircraft

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$95 - $135/hr

The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as ... Competitive base salary commensurate with experience * Medical, dental, vision, and 401k * PTO and ...

Quiet Capital

Mechanical Engineer, Aircraft

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as ... Competitive base salary commensurate with experience * Medical, dental, vision, and 401k * PTO and ...

Swarm Aero Inc.

$95 - $135/hr

The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as ... Competitive base salary commensurate with experience * Medical, dental, vision, and 401k * PTO and ...

Cirrus Aircraft

Industrial Designer Sr

Duluth, MN · On-site

$90.70 - $136.05/hr

... of aircraft seats and interiors. This role is responsible for the conceptual design of seating ... Pay Range Salary Range: USD $90,703.69/Yr. - USD $136,055.53/Yr. Sign On Bonus #J-18808-Ljbffr

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Aircraft Designer Salary information

What is the average salary of an aircraft designer?

The average salary of an aircraft designer varies depending on factors such as experience, education, location, and the specific employer. In the United States, aircraft designers typically earn between $65,000 and $120,000 per year, with senior professionals or those working for major aerospace companies earning even higher salaries. Entry-level positions tend to start on the lower end of the scale, while those with advanced degrees or specialized skills can command higher compensation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aircraft designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Aircraft Designer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, strong mathematical and physics skills, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and knowledge of regulatory standards like FAA or EASA certifications are commonly required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication are critical soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and addressing complex design challenges. These skills ensure the creation of safe, efficient, and innovative aircraft that meet stringent industry standards.

What are some typical challenges aircraft designers face in collaborative projects?

Aircraft designers frequently work as part of multidisciplinary teams that include engineers, manufacturing experts, and regulatory specialists. One common challenge is balancing innovative design concepts with strict safety standards and budget constraints. Effective communication is essential, as designers must ensure their ideas are clearly understood by both technical and non-technical team members. Additionally, adapting designs to evolving client requirements or regulatory changes can add complexity to project timelines.

What is the difference between Aircraft Designer Salary vs Aerospace Engineer Salary?

AspectAircraft Designer SalaryAerospace Engineer Salary
Required CredentialsBachelor's in aerospace or mechanical engineering, certificationsBachelor's or higher in aerospace engineering, certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, aircraft manufacturing facilitiesResearch labs, manufacturing plants, government agencies
Employer & IndustryAircraft manufacturers, defense contractorsAerospace firms, government agencies, research institutions
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Aircraft designers focus on creating and developing aircraft designs, often working closely with engineers and manufacturers. Aerospace engineers have a broader role, including research, development, and testing of aircraft and spacecraft. While both roles require similar credentials and work environments, aircraft designers typically specialize in the conceptual and detailed design phases, whereas aerospace engineers may engage in a wider range of engineering tasks.

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Cities with the most Aircraft Designer Salary job openings:

What states have the most Aircraft Designer Salary jobs?

States with the most job openings for Aircraft Designer Salary jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Aircraft Designer Salary jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Aircraft Designer Salary jobs are:

Aircraft Designer Salary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aircraft Designer Salary job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution.

Mechanical Engineer, Aircraft

Swarm Aero Inc.

Oxnard, CA • On-site

$95 - $135/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design primary and secondary structure for a large autonomous aircraft

  • Perform structural analysis and margin assessments on flight hardware

  • Build and run test campaigns to verify hardware designs

Job description

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.

About this role

This is a general application for mechanical engineers who want to build aircraft. We hire across the full mechanical spectrum, including:

  • Structures design (composite and metallic primary and secondary structure)
  • Stress and structural analysis
  • Mechanisms and actuation (control surfaces, landing gear, doors, payload systems)
  • Thermal management and environmental control
  • Propulsion integration
  • Fluid systems (fuel, hydraulics, pneumatics)
  • Materials and processes
  • Test engineering (structural test, ground test, flight test support)

We may not have an active opening that matches your exact background today. When we do, we will reach out. Strong candidates are reviewed by our engineering leadership on a rolling basis.

What you might work on
  • Design primary and secondary structure for a large autonomous aircraft
  • Perform structural analysis and margin assessments on flight hardware
  • Design mechanisms and integrate actuation systems
  • Solve thermal and packaging challenges in tight volumes
  • Build and run test campaigns that prove your designs work
  • Work directly with manufacturing and suppliers to get hardware built
  • Support ground and flight test operations
What we look for
  • BS or MS in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related engineering field
  • 3+ years of experience designing, analyzing, or testing hardware. Aircraft, spacecraft, automotive, or other high-performance hardware backgrounds all apply
  • Proficiency in CAD (NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks) and a working knowledge of GD&T
  • Hands-on mindset. You have built the things you designed
  • Bias toward speed. You test early and iterate rather than perfect on paper
  • Ability to work onsite in Oxnard, CA
Nice to have
  • Composite aircraft structure experience
  • Experience with FEA tools (Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys)
  • Experience taking hardware through qualification or certification
  • Experience at a startup or on a small, fast-moving team
ITAR requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Swarm Aero is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse backgrounds and experiences and make employment decisions without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability.

What We Offer
  • Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company
  • Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
  • Medical, dental, vision, and 401k
  • PTO and paid sick leave
  • Monthly wellness stipend
  • Daily catered lunch (office)
  • Paid parental leave
  • Direct impact on a critical national security mission
  • A world-class team of engineers and operators solving genuinely hard problems
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