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Airline Development Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP

$150 - $200/hr

We are rapidly accelerating our transformation of the airline passenger experience and are seeking ... As an Aviation Development Engineer, you will be responsible for the service launch of Starlink ...

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP

$150 - $200/hr

We are rapidly accelerating our transformation of the airline passenger experience and are seeking ... As a Sr. Aviation Development Engineer, you will drive the requirements of the next-generation ...

Leidos

Software Development Engineer

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$69K - $125K/yr

Optimizing the experience for the flying public, Air Traffic Control, and the airline industry by ... Engineering Degree Demonstrated Software Development Skills/Capabilities Excellent Verbal and ...

AIRCO

Sr. Development Engineer

New Britain, PA · On-site

$101K - $139K/yr

The company has commercial partnerships with airlines including JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic ... development, process modeling, simulation, and scale-up engineering within chemical process ...

AIRCO

Sr. Development Engineer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$105K - $144K/yr

The company has commercial partnerships with airlines including JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic ... development, process modeling, simulation, and scale-up engineering within chemical process ...

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Airline Development Engineer information

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$49K

$96.2K

$153.5K

How much do airline development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for airline development engineer in the United States is $96,155.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,500.00 and $106,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an airline development engineer do?

An Airline Development Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and improving systems, components, or processes used in the airline industry. This role often involves working on new aircraft technologies, optimizing airline operations, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, performance, and passenger experience. Additionally, they may participate in testing and evaluating new equipment or software to support airline operations.

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

To thrive as an Airline Development Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, systems design, and project management, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and industry standards such as FAA/EASA regulations is essential, and certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) or Six Sigma are often advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and addressing complex engineering challenges. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and innovative development of airline systems that meet regulatory requirements and operational needs.

What are some common challenges airline development engineers face when integrating new technologies into existing aircraft systems?

Airline Development Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new technologies, such as ensuring compatibility with legacy systems, adhering to strict industry regulations, and minimizing aircraft downtime during upgrades. Balancing innovation with safety and reliability is crucial, as even small changes can have significant impacts on performance and compliance. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—including maintenance, operations, and regulatory bodies—is essential to successfully implement these advancements while maintaining operational efficiency.

What is the difference between Airline Development Engineer vs Aircraft Maintenance Engineer?

AspectAirline Development EngineerAircraft Maintenance Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in aviation or aerospaceAircraft maintenance license, certifications in aircraft systems
Work EnvironmentDesign, development, and testing of airline systems and servicesInspecting, repairing, and maintaining aircraft
Employer & IndustryAirlines, aerospace companies, aviation consultantsAirlines, maintenance, and repair organizations

While both roles involve aviation expertise, Airline Development Engineers focus on designing and improving airline systems and services, whereas Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are responsible for maintaining and repairing aircraft to ensure safety and compliance.

Are flight engineers in demand?

Flight engineers, also known as aircraft systems engineers, are in moderate demand as airlines and maintenance organizations seek experienced professionals to ensure aircraft safety and efficiency. The role requires technical skills, certifications, and experience with modern aircraft systems, and demand can vary based on industry growth and fleet modernization efforts.

How to become an airline development engineer?

To become an airline development engineer, typically a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is required. Relevant skills include knowledge of aircraft systems, CAD software, and project management, often complemented by experience in aircraft design or maintenance. Certifications such as EASA or FAA licenses can enhance job prospects in this specialized field.

What are popular job titles related to Airline Development Engineer jobs?

For Airline Development Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Airline Development Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,155 per year, or $46.2 per hour.

Sr. Aviation Development Engineer, Networking (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX • On-site

SpaceX
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about SpaceXexternal

$103K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SR. AVIATION DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, NETWORKING (STARLINK)
We are rapidly accelerating our transformation of the airline passenger experience and are seeking engineers with a track record of new product launch, service introduction and engineering solutions to complex technical challenges with partners and customers. Starlink designs, builds, tests and operates all of the technology utilized in our solutions for airlines. Our mission is to put Starlink on everything that flies and bring the Starlink experience to millions of passengers globally. To accomplish this, we are creating deep technical alignment with our airline partners across the areas of passenger experience, mechanical and electrical integration, network performance and measurement and application-level features and functionality.
As a Sr. Aviation Development Engineer, you will drive the requirements of the next-generation passenger cabin environment, design and support of hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) lab representations of airline cabins, and translate lab and flight data into architecture decisions that scale across fleets. You will own the technical engagement defining the process, critical milestones, technology trades, resource prioritization, compliance with customer and manufacturing requirements and technical documentation needed to drive Starlink's passenger experience to support a multi-gigabit environment. Your high integrity, command of engineering first principles, attention to detail, ability to set and keep commitments across a range of internal and external stakeholders while delivering results will be crucial factors in your success in this role.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Own cabin connectivity architecture for assigned airline programs: access-point placement and count, band/channel plan, frequency reuse, client density, QoS, and backhaul to the Starlink terminal
  • Specify and drive next-generation passenger-cabin Wi-Fi requirements (Wi-Fi 6/6E vs Wi-Fi 7, multi-AP coordination, MLO, 6 GHz use in the cabin, coexistence with IFE/crew/ops SSIDs and other RF occupants)
  • Design, stand up, and operate HITL (hardware-in-the-loop) lab environments that represent airline cabins: routers/APs, client devices, authentication backends, traffic generators, and RF/isolation fixtures; use the lab to prove architecture before fleet rollout
  • Configure and validate cabin routers and access points (SSID/VLAN/DHCP/NAT or routed designs, ACLs, QoS, captive portal vs 802.1X/Passpoint, RADIUS/AAA, certificates, roaming)
  • Define and verify passenger authentication and hotspot security: WPA2/WPA3-Enterprise, Passpoint (Hotspot 2.0 / IEEE 802.11u), ANQP, EAP methods (TTLS, TLS, AKA/AKA'), OpenRoaming where relevant, and crew/ops network isolation
  • Work IP networking and protocol design end to end (IPv4/IPv6, routing, DHCP, DNS, NAT, TCP/UDP/QUIC, multicast, DHCP option sets, MTU/MSS, CGNAT implications on satellite backhaul)
  • Turn coverage, throughput, and authentication measurements (lab and aircraft) into requirements, test plans, and design changes for product and airline partners
  • Responsible for the technical engagement and successful Starlink service launch of Starlink with airline partners
  • Establish and maintain comprehensive program governance, delivering accurate, timely reporting to both customer-facing teams and SpaceX leadership
  • Lead strategic program reviews, coordination meetings, and workshops with internal stakeholders, customers, airframe manufacturers, and industry partners
  • Engage with customers during pre-sales to deeply understand requirements and translate them into actionable technical and operational plans
  • Coordinate across company departments, vendors, airframe manufacturers, and partners to prepare technical, compliance, and commercial artifacts for licenses, type approvals, and regulatory audits
  • Navigate complex schedules and project dependencies ensuring a maximally efficient use of SpaceX resources and customer success
  • Work closely with the FAA and other aerospace regulatory bodies to ensure full compliance throughout the customer engagement
  • Manage multiple concurrent projects and provide regular updates on schedule and deliverables to senior management
  • Act as the subject matter expert on the SpaceX Aviation Integration process and create alignment across all partners
  • Work across all stakeholders to ensure feedback is incorporated into project schedules and statement of work

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline
  • 5+ years of experience in an engineering function (EG: software, network, mechanical, electrical) OR a technical program/product management role focused on bringing programs/products/services to market

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate complex technical programs with aerospace manufacturers from ideation, commercial negotiation, and implementation to roll-out
  • Experience in one or more of the following functional areas: software architecture and protocols, electrical interfaces and standards, wireless data communications, mechanical structures or thermal analysis
  • Wi-Fi systems design experience (not only network operations): IEEE 802.11 PHY/MAC, Wi-Fi 6/6E vs Wi-Fi 7 trades (OFDMA, MU-MIMO, MLO, 320 MHz), RF link budget, antenna/AP architecture, and frequency reuse / channel allocation in high-client-density environments
  • Hands-on IP networking and router/AP configuration in production or HITL labs (switching/routing, VLANs, QoS, firewall/ACL, RADIUS, certificates, packet capture and protocol analysis)
  • Experience with hotspot security and passenger authentication: captive portal vs 802.1X, WPA3-Enterprise, Passpoint / Hotspot 2.0, ANQP, EAP-TTLS / EAP-TLS / EAP-AKA, and related identity/AAA design
  • Experience designing, building, or operating hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) or RF/system integration labs, including writing and executing integration and regression test plans
  • Familiarity with Wi-Fi Alliance / IEEE 802.11 standards development or certification (or equivalent wireless standards work)
  • Ability to drive cabin-environment requirements: coverage vs capacity, crew vs passenger SSIDs, IFE coexistence, EMI/EMC constraints, and next-generation architecture for new aircraft types
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate complex technical programs with aerospace manufacturers from ideation, commercial negotiation, and implementation to roll-out
  • Experience in one or more of the following functional areas: software architecture and protocols, electrical interfaces and standards, wireless data communications, mechanical structures or thermal analysis
  • Experience conducting commercial and technical trades across partner and internal stakeholders
  • Demonstrated high accountability to producing the correct requirements, eliminating complexity and communicating dependencies, critical path and key decision-points to a large group of stakeholders
  • Experience with industry certification and regulatory compliance
  • Experience with commissioning and testing, writing and executing integration plans
  • Previous technical ownership of a complex project involving numerous stakeholders from conception to customer acceptance
  • Demonstrated ability to produce documentation deliverables on a tight timeline
  • Extremely strong proficiency with Microsoft Word as a tool to produce and manage large documents
  • Experience generating schematics, diagrams, and data visualizations that clearly communicate design intent of systems, tests or analysis
  • Hardware ownership for mechanical or electrical systems through entire lifecycle (design, qualification, manufacturing, and launch)
  • Understanding of failure modes of complex mechanical and electrical systems
  • Extremely strong verbal and written communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
  • Ability to travel if needed (0-25%)

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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About SpaceX

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Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

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