ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Aircraft Systems Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Washington, DC

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Coordinate with engineering teams to validate requirements, troubleshoot issues, and mature system ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Washington, DC

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Coordinate with engineering teams to validate requirements, troubleshoot issues, and mature system ...

Electra

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

$110K - $135K/yr

Serve as the manufacturing engineering focal point for aircraft systems installation, including electrical wiring interconnect systems (EWIS) and avionics. * Collaborate with product engineering and ...

Electra

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

$110K - $135K/yr

What You'll DoServe as the manufacturing engineering focal point for aircraft systems installation, including electrical wiring interconnect systems (EWIS) and avionics.Collaborate with product ...

Electra Aero

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

$110 - $135/hr

Serve as the manufacturing engineering focal point for aircraft systems installation, including electrical wiring interconnect systems (EWIS) and avionics. * Collaborate with product engineering and ...

Think Tank, Inc.

Senior Systems Engineer

Silver Spring, MD · On-site

$108K - $148K/yr

The Senior Systems Engineer serves as the senior technical authority for engineering and systems ... ships, aircraft (manned and unmanned), and supporting systems in accordance with mission ...

Think Tank, Inc.

Senior Systems Engineer

Silver Spring, MD · Remote

$108K - $148K/yr

The Senior Systems Engineer serves as the senior technical authority for engineering and systems ... ships, aircraft (manned and unmanned), and supporting systems in accordance with mission ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsAircraft Systems Engineer JobsAircraft Systems Engineer Jobs in Washington

Aircraft Systems Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$49.3K

$157.2K

$257.7K

How much do aircraft systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for aircraft systems engineer in Washington is $157,177.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $133,100.00 and $179,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an aircraft systems engineer do?

An Aircraft Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing various aircraft systems, such as avionics, hydraulics, propulsion, and electrical systems. They ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and performance requirements. Their role involves working with multidisciplinary teams, troubleshooting system issues, and improving overall aircraft efficiency.

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

To thrive as an Aircraft Systems Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, systems integration, and a relevant engineering degree. Experience with modeling and simulation tools (such as MATLAB/Simulink), familiarity with regulatory standards (like FAA/EASA), and certifications such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license are highly valuable. Problem-solving skills, attention to detail, effective communication, and collaboration set high performers apart in this role. These qualifications are critical to ensure aircraft safety, regulatory compliance, and seamless team collaboration in complex engineering projects.

What are popular job titles related to Aircraft Systems Engineer jobs in Washington?

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

What job categories do people searching Aircraft Systems Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Aircraft Systems Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Aircraft Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Aircraft Systems Engineer job openings:

Aircraft Systems Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aircraft Systems Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,177 per year, or $75.6 per hour.

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Shield AI

Washington, DC

$115K - $215K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to plan, execute, analyze, and improve ground and flight test operations for a fast-paced next gen aircraft system. You will work closely across several segment owners of engineering, operations, autonomy, systems integration, product support, and manufacturing.  
What you'll do:
  • Develop, publish, and execute comprehensive flight test plans, procedures, cards, risk assessments, safety, and readiness reviews 
  • Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground control systems, and mission equipment 
  • Lead and coordinate pre-flight, flight, and post-flight activities, including system configuration, instrumentation, telemetry, data collection and test reports 
  • Analyze ground and flight test data to identify performance trends, anomalies, root causes, and corrective actions 
  • Coordinate with engineering teams to validate requirements, troubleshoot issues, and mature system capabilities 
  • Lead or participate in test range operations, safety briefings, go/no-go decisions, and test setup and logistics  
  • Document test results, lessons learned, anomalies, and recommendations in clear technical reports 
  • Support aircraft maintenance, configuration control, and system readiness 
  • Create and improve flight test processes, tools, data workflows, and operational efficiency 
  • Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements  
  • Travel to test sites, customer locations, and field exercises as required 
Required qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree) 
  • 5-10 years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned/manned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering 
  • Strong understanding of aircraft systems, flight dynamics, avionics, telemetry, sensors, or control systems  
  • Proven ability to write and execute structured test plans, procedures, and reports 
  • Strong troubleshooting skills in field and/or lab environments 
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work across engineering and operations teams 
  • Willingness and ability to travel up to 80% for candidates not based in the Wichita Metro Area, including travel to test sites, ranges, and other field locations
  • Overtime and weekend coverage as required 
Preferred qualifications:
  • 10+ years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering 
  • Experience in Group 4-5 UAS and/or fighter type capability or similar weapons systems 
  • Familiarity with FAA, DoW, and test range flight operations 
  • Experience with autonomy, navigation, mission planning, and Command-and-Control (C2) systems 
  • Hands-on experience with aircraft maintenance, avionics integration, payload integration, and ground support equipment  
  • Experience with telemetry systems, flight and data logs, sensor data, datalinks, and RF systems 
  • Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or crewed aviation experience 
  • Proven Mission Control Room experience using Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS) or similar development FTI display system  
  • Experience leading or supporting developmental flight test campaigns from design through planning and execution to include reporting 
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is practical, detail-oriented engineer who is comfortable in control rooms, hangar/maintenance areas, and office type environments. You can write a detailed test plan, troubleshoot hardware and software at a test site, analyze flight data, and communicate clearly under operational pressure. You are safety-minded, have high technical acumen, and motivated by building and validating advanced and complex aircraft systems 
 
#LI-AA1
#LD

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
###
 
Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.