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Aircraft Spacecraft Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Archer

Airframe Design Lead, Fuselage

San Jose, CA

$172K - $216K/yr

Support manufacturing to validate and verify that designs meet requirements and specifications What you need: * 10+ years of experience with lightweight structures (aircraft, spacecraft, other high ...

Archer

Airframe Design Lead, Wing

San Jose, CA

$172K - $216K/yr

Support manufacturing to validate and verify that designs meet requirements and specifications What you need: * 10+ years of experience with lightweight structures (aircraft, spacecraft, other high ...

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How much do aircraft spacecraft designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for aircraft spacecraft designer 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.
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Sr. Engineer, Structures Design

Sr. Engineer, Structures Design

Virgin Galactic, Inc.

Tustin, CA • On-site

$108K - $166K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

Virgin Galactic is seeking a Sr. Structures Design Engineer eager to participate in innovative/unique aerospace vehicle design activities. Guided by our values, "Safety Above All", we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions. The responsibilities will range from early concept and development, through full production, life cycle and sustainment. The primary tasks involve developing engineering definition for system components and assemblies while optimizing for operation, maintenance, and commercial service. Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.
Responsibilities
  • Develop conceptual, preliminary, and detailed designs of aircraft/spacecraft structural configuration layouts by:
    • Creating components or portions of a functional system to develop or improve products and support manufacturing operations.
    • Integrating vehicle systems.
    • Creating and releasing detailed 3D parts, assemblies, installations, and drawings.
  • Develop technical solutions to complex problems that require regular ingenuity and creativity.
  • Work independently and demonstrate conformity to industry and company standards, tolerances, weight and cost targets.
  • Coordinate with various engineering stakeholders during the design, production, integration, test, delivery, and operation of air/space vehicles.
  • Support production and operations teams to ensure vehicle readiness for flight. This includes involvement in fabrication, implementation, and MRB activities.
  • Participate in the continuous improvement of design practices, procedures, and technologies.
  • Assist authoring various manuals/templates such as design standard and best practices, procedures, and processes.
  • Mentor and participate in knowledge transfer/training of teammates.
  • Provide design engineering support by answering questions and requests from internal or external customers.
  • Prepare clear and concise reports that collect, analyze, and summarize information.
  • Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks

Required Skills and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
  • 8+ years of experience in the aerospace industry with strong design emphasis. An equivalent combination of education, experience, and other projects may be considered.
  • Knowledge of aircraft structural design and familiarity with industry standards for the manufacture, repair, and assembly of components.
  • Prior work experience designing aircraft/spacecraft primary and secondary structures.
  • Prior work experience designing vehicle systems integration accommodation.
  • Significant experience using CAD software and composite workbenches to design aircraft/spacecraft structures and components.
  • Experience with GD&T per ASME Y14.5, functional tolerancing, drawing creation, assembly tolerance stack-up analysis.
  • Experience with Product Lifecycle Management tools (PLM software), requirements management tools, and configuration management.
  • Proficiency in MS Office, technical writing skills, the ability to communicate and present technical material to various stakeholders.
  • A high degree of autonomy, ability to work quickly and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment as part of a team or individually.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills.
  • Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with peers and leadership in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas.

Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or similar from an accredited institution.
  • Experience with CATIA V5 and/or CATIA 3DX.
  • Experience with CATIA V5 CPD (Composite Part Design) and/or FiberSIM.
  • Experience designing sheet metal parts
  • Experience designing with aerospace fastener systems
  • Knowledge of composite aircraft structural design and familiarity with industry standards for the manufacture, repair, and assembly of components.
  • Prior work experience designing bonded composite structures.
  • Experience with the design of flight vehicles or vehicle systems to a set of requirements or standards such as CFR 14, Part 400, Part 23 and 25, military or NASA.
  • Familiarity with MRB tasks associated with dispositioning non-conformant metallic and composite components resulting from manufacturing, assembly, or field operations.

#LI-MS1
The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $108,871.00-$166,036.00. The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, and experience and take into account internal equity. Other forms of pay (e.g., bonus or long term incentive) may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. For more information regarding Virgin Galactic benefits, please visit https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits
Who We Are
Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles .
E xport Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Person (either a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a protected individual as defined 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or be able to obtain the required authorization from either the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The applicant must also not be included in the list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. See list here .
EEO Statement
Virgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Drug Free Workplace
Virgin Galactic is committed to a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants post offer and active teammates are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. This can include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and accident related drug and alcohol testing.
Phoenix Employment Requirements
For individuals seeking employment at our Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility, employment is contingent upon you obtaining and maintaining a TSA authorized security badge. This includes initial and annual mandatory background checks that are governed by TSA, and conducted by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport badging office.

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