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Aircraft Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Leidos LLC

Expert Aircraft Survivability SETA

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

The successful candidate will provide technical, engineering, programmatic, acquisition, testing, and logistics support for aircraft survivability systems. The position requires extensive experience ...

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Aircraft Engineer information

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How much do aircraft engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for aircraft engineer in Virginia is $80,096.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,900.00 and $94,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an aircraft engineer?

An aircraft engineer designs new airplanes or oversees the production of existing aircraft designs. As an aircraft engineer, your duties revolve around using physical, mathematical, and engineering principles to address flight problems and how to improve aircraft design. You work to increase fuel efficiency, speed, and safety features of a plane, as well as create comfortable interior features. You often work as part of a large team, overseeing the design, budgeting, and production of new aircraft. Some aircraft engineers work at airports, managing the daily maintenance and safety checks of planes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aircraft engineer?

To thrive as an Aircraft Engineer, you need a strong background in aeronautical engineering, mathematics, and physics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and, in many cases, a professional engineering license. Familiarity with CAD software, aircraft maintenance systems, and regulatory compliance tools such as those from the FAA or EASA is crucial. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork distinguish top performers in this field. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of aircraft design, maintenance, and operations.

What are some common challenges faced by aircraft engineers during routine maintenance checks?

Aircraft Engineers often encounter challenges such as tight maintenance schedules, ensuring compliance with strict safety regulations, and troubleshooting unexpected technical issues. Coordinating with other team members, such as technicians and inspectors, is essential to ensure that all work is completed accurately and on time. Being detail-oriented and adaptable is crucial, as engineers must frequently update documentation and respond quickly to any issues that arise to minimize aircraft downtime.

What is the difference between Aircraft Engineer vs Aircraft Technician?

AspectAircraft EngineerAircraft Technician
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications like EASA Part-66Technical diploma or certification, often EASA Part-66 B1/B2
Work EnvironmentDesign, development, and oversight of aircraft systems, often in offices or labsMaintenance, repair, and inspection on aircraft, primarily in hangars or on-site
Employer & IndustryAircraft manufacturers, airlines, aerospace companiesAirlines, maintenance organizations, repair stations

Aircraft Engineers focus on designing, developing, and certifying aircraft systems, while Aircraft Technicians handle maintenance, repairs, and inspections. Both roles require relevant certifications and work closely within the aerospace industry, but their daily tasks and responsibilities differ significantly.

How much does an aircraft engineer make?

Aircraft engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $60,000 to over $100,000 depending on experience, location, and certifications. Experienced engineers working in maintenance, design, or specialized fields can earn higher wages, especially with additional licenses or advanced skills.
More about Aircraft Engineer jobs

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The most popular types of Aircraft Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

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For Aircraft Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Aircraft Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aircraft Engineer job openings in Virginia as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,096 per year, or $38.5 per hour.

Aircraft Certification Engineer

Newport News, VA • On-site

Socket.dev
Network Security • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Socket.devexternal

$60/hr

Other

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Aircraft Certification Engineer

Location: Newport News, VA
Job Type: Contract
Starting Pay: $60.00/hour, with higher pay available based on experience


Position Overview

We are seeking an Aircraft Certification Engineer to support certification efforts for aircraft modifications, repairs, and aerospace programs. This position develops certification approaches, compliance plans, and technical documentation while coordinating engineering, testing, inspections, and approval activities throughout the project lifecycle.


The engineer will work across Engineering, Production, Quality, Program Management, and other technical groups to ensure aircraft modifications meet applicable regulatory, military, customer, and airworthiness requirements.


Responsibilities

  • Develop certification strategies, plans, and means of compliance for aircraft modifications and repairs.

  • Identify applicable FAA, military, customer, and airworthiness requirements.

  • Create and maintain compliance matrices, certification plans, engineering reports, ICA documentation, and other certification records.

  • Coordinate certification activities with Mechanical, Electrical, Design, Stress, Production, Quality, and Program Management teams.

  • Work with FAA representatives, DERs, ODA organizations, military authorities, customers, and suppliers on certification requirements and technical reviews.

  • Review engineering drawings, analyses, reports, test plans, and technical documentation for certification compliance.

  • Plan and coordinate conformity inspections, ground testing, flight testing, and other compliance demonstrations.

  • Support fabrication, installation, troubleshooting, testing, and aircraft modification activities.

  • Participate in design reviews and provide guidance on certification strategy, regulatory compliance, continued airworthiness, and project risks.

  • Maintain certification records under configuration control and ensure documentation meets applicable standards and procedures.

  • Support improvements to certification processes, engineering standards, and lessons-learned activities.

  • Assist with continued operational safety, post-certification engineering activities, certification scheduling, and risk management.


Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited college or university.

  • Experience supporting aircraft certification, modifications, repairs, or aerospace product development.

  • Working knowledge of FAA regulations, STC processes, FAA Form 337 major alterations, and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA).

  • Experience developing or reviewing compliance matrices, engineering reports, test plans, conformity documentation, and certification artifacts.

  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, analyses, specifications, technical documentation, regulatory guidance, and military airworthiness requirements.

  • Strong analytical, organizational, written, verbal, and technical communication skills.

  • Ability to coordinate effectively with engineering, production, quality, program management, customers, suppliers, FAA representatives, DERs, ODA organizations, and military authorities.

  • Ability to work in both office and aircraft hangar environments.

  • U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status.


Preferred Qualifications

  • 5+ years supporting aircraft certification, STC programs, military airworthiness, or other regulated aerospace certification activities.

  • Experience developing certification plans, compliance strategies, and means of compliance.

  • Familiarity with MIL-HDBK-516C and military aircraft modification programs.

  • Experience coordinating conformity inspections, ground tests, flight tests, and compliance demonstrations.

  • Experience preparing engineering reports, compliance documentation, ICA, and certification packages.

  • Knowledge of aircraft systems, structures, avionics integration, and aircraft modification practices.

  • Experience with configuration management, engineering release processes, and AS9100 quality systems.


Success in This Role

Success will be measured by the accuracy and completeness of certification documentation, timely completion of assigned deliverables, successful regulatory reviews and testing, compliance with applicable requirements, responsiveness to technical requests, and the ability to identify and resolve certification risks throughout the project.

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