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Airframe Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Archer

Tooling Design Engineer

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$114K - $142K/yr

Work closely with airframe design & manufacturing engineers to provide manufacturing/assembly input during initial design stages. * Design tooling for trim, drill, and assembly operations, as well as ...

General Atomics

Engineer VI

Poway, CA · On-site

$116K - $208K/yr

... engineer in the San Diego region ... In this role, the candidate will join a high performing team supporting airframe design and ...

Apex

Spacecraft Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$165K - $200K/yr

About the Role As a Spacecraft Design Engineer, you will be a foundational team member responsible for defining the future of Apex's satellite platforms. You will operate at the design and ...

General Atomics

Engineer II

Poway, CA · On-site

$68K - $116K/yr

This is an airframe design position in the Advanced Aircraft Engineering Organization located in San Diego, CA. Under the general direction of Engineering management or IPT lead, serve as a member of ...

Amca

Mechanical Design Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$81K - $109K/yr

The Mechanical Design Engineering role is responsible for developing flight hardware for new and existing airframes. You will serve as the extreme owner of the product from concept through ...

Astromecha

Structures Design Engineer II

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Location Employment Type Full time Department Airframe Compensation * $120K - $160K ABOUT US: Astro ... engineers across disciplines. You'll play a key role in helping to design, analyze, and test ...

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All JobsAirframe Design Engineer JobsAirframe Design Engineer Jobs in California

Airframe Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$70.1K

$118.7K

$176.2K

How much do airframe design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for airframe design engineer in California is $118,666.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,700.00 and $135,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an airframe design engineer do?

An Airframe Design Engineer is responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing the structural components of an aircraft. They ensure that the airframe meets safety, performance, and regulatory requirements while minimizing weight and cost. Their work involves using CAD software, conducting stress analysis, and collaborating with other engineering teams to integrate various aircraft systems.

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

To thrive as an Airframe Design Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, strong knowledge of structural analysis, and proficiency in 3D CAD modeling—typically backed by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard software like CATIA or Siemens NX, and knowledge of FEA tools and aerospace regulations are vital, with certifications in aerospace engineering being a plus. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills distinguish top performers in this field. These skills enable the successful design, analysis, and implementation of safe and efficient airframe structures while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.

What are some common challenges an airframe design engineer might face in their day-to-day work?

Airframe Design Engineers frequently encounter complex technical challenges, such as balancing weight reduction with structural integrity and navigating evolving regulatory requirements. Coordinating with manufacturing and testing teams to ensure designs are both feasible and cost-effective can require strong collaboration skills. Meeting tight project deadlines while accommodating design changes or unexpected issues is also common. Successfully overcoming these challenges requires adaptability, a solutions-oriented approach, and continuous communication with cross-functional teams.

What cities in California are hiring for Airframe Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Airframe Design Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Airframe Design Engineer jobs in CA?

For Airframe Design Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Airframe Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Airframe Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,666 per year, or $57.1 per hour.

Aviation Engineer - Airfield Design

HDR

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

HDR rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 59 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 450 rated engineering

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

In the role of Aviation Engineer, we'll count on you to:
  • Prepare approaches, scopes of work, fee estimates for aviation projects
  • Suggest solutions to client problems by being able to interpret FAA and other guidelines.
  • Seek leadership role in external professional aviation related organization (e.g., elected office, organizing or planning committees, panel presentations)
  • Process & Tool Application & Development
  • Technical Talent Identification & Career Journey
  • Thorough understanding of AutoCAD Civil 3D (or similar design software)
  • Implement QMP procedures on performed tasks
  • With direction, develop/prepare project design report and begin to coordinate with applicable agencies (FAA, EPA and local) as well as with clients
  • Lead analyses/design for specific component of a project
  • Lead field reviews to determine construction compliance with contract documents.
  • Marketing Support
  • Maintain an updated resume
  • Assist with technical write ups of completed projects       
  • Perform other duties as needed

Due to client contract requirements, US citizenship or Permanent Resident Status (Greencard holder) is required.     #LI-JF1

Keywords: Aviation Engineer, FAA, airfield planning, airfield design

Preferred Qualifications
  • A minimum of 3 years experience with Airfield Planning and Design
  • California PE license
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering
  • Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
  • Previous experience with Airfield Planning and Design
  • Thorough understanding of AutoCAD Civil 3D (or similar design software), AVI-Plan software packages and Infraworks modeling software (or similar design software).
  • Overall understanding of airfield design
  • Microsoft Office experience
  • Strong technical background and experience in designing several aspects of airfields
  • Solid written and verbal communication skills
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

What HDR employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

HDR logo

About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917

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