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Associate Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

AEVEX

Systems Engineer 3

Washington, DC · On-site

... associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies ... Familiarity with aerospace/MIL standards. * Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork ...

AEVEX

Systems Engineer 2

Washington, DC · On-site

... of complex aerospace and defense systems throughout the program lifecycle. This position ... associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies ...

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All JobsAssociate Aerospace Engineer JobsAssociate Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Associate Aerospace Engineer information

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$43.2K

$86K

$137.3K

How much do associate aerospace engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate aerospace engineer in Reston, VA is $85,971.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,100.00 and $98,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Associate Aerospace Engineer job?

An Associate Aerospace Engineer is an entry-level professional who assists in the design, analysis, testing, and development of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and related systems. They work under the guidance of senior engineers to apply engineering principles, perform simulations, analyze data, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Their role may involve working with software tools for modeling and computational analysis, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and contributing to research and development efforts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Associate Aerospace Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Aerospace Engineer, you need a strong foundation in aerospace engineering principles and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD) software, simulation tools like MATLAB or ANSYS, and familiarity with industry regulations are important. Strong analytical thinking, teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication skills will help you excel in collaborative engineering environments. These abilities are vital for ensuring high-quality, innovative solutions in complex aerospace projects where precision and safety are paramount.

What does a typical day look like for an Associate Aerospace Engineer?

As an Associate Aerospace Engineer, your day often involves working closely with senior engineers and project teams to design, test, and improve aerospace systems or components. You may spend time creating technical drawings with CAD software, running simulations, conducting data analysis, and participating in team meetings to solve design challenges. Collaboration with manufacturing, quality assurance, and other engineering departments is common, ensuring all aspects of product development run smoothly. This role offers valuable hands-on experience and exposure to advanced technologies, making it a great starting point for career advancement in the aerospace industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Aerospace Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Aerospace Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Aerospace Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? For Associate Aerospace Engineer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Aerospace Engineer jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Aerospace Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Associate Aerospace Engineer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Associate Aerospace Engineer job openings:
Associate Aerospace Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Aerospace Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $85,971 per year, or $41.3 per hour.
2026 Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer/Guidance Navigation Control Engineer Engineer -

2026 Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer/Guidance Navigation Control Engineer Engineer -

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Sterling, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 352 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

107th of 528 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: None
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
We are looking for motivated GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) engineers who want to solve interesting, complex problems, which protect our nation. Our GNC team is designing, building, testing spacecraft subsystems for a mix of DoD, NASA, and commercial customers. We are leaders in innovative solutions to the rapidly growing/evolving fields of space based autonomous rendezvous and docking and rapid design/production of small satellites. Spacecraft GNC analysis engineers will work within the GNC subsystem team and are expected to:
  • Design, analyze, and tune spacecraft attitude and position control loops using time and frequency domain techniques
  • Design, analyze, and tune sequential filters (e.g. Kalman filters) for attitude determination and relative navigation
  • Design, develop, test and verify flight algorithms for the GNC subsystem and support flight software qualification testing
  • Analyze and test the spacecraft GNC subsystem performance using simulations and other analytic tools
  • Perform analysis to support early design phase concept development including actuator sizing and placement, sensor selection and placement, attitude and position guidance, rendezvous, proximity operations and docking analyses, and predicted performance assessments
  • Develop simulation models for sensors (e.g. star tracker, rate gyro, accelerometer, GPS, magnetometer, sun sensors, visible and IR spectrum cameras, LIDAR), actuators (e.g. reaction wheel, torque bar, thruster, CMG), system dynamics (e.g. rigid body, multi-body, orbit mechanics, flexible models, propellant slosh), and the space environment (e.g. atmospheric, solar radiation pressure, third-body gravity, geopotential)

Communication is a key element of your role and all GNC engineers are expected to:
  • Apply engineering principles, industry standards, company process, and knowledge of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, classical/modern control, and estimation theory to perform tasks to advanced program/project goals
  • Document designs, analysis, and test results and create presentation materials
  • Present designs, analysis, and test results to internal and external customers
  • Work well within small- to medium-sized groups

The Northrop Grumman Space Division is a strategic partner specializing in commercial and classified partnerships with the design, delivery, operation and sustainment of satellites and human spacecraft. We support science and space exploration through our various partnerships, including NASA's Artemis program with the goal to return humans to the Moon in 2024 and the TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) program that has discovered more than twenty confirmed plants. Recognized as an industry leader, we also develop highly specialized space and satellite components.
Basic Qualifications for Associate GNC Engineer:
A candidate, regardless of age and hiring source, must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:
  • Be completing or has completed their Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.
  • Be majoring in or having majored in an Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field
  • Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)

Basic Qualifications for GNC Engineer:
A candidate, regardless of age and hiring source, must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:
  • Be completing or has completed their Master's Degree from an accredited institution.
  • Be majoring in or having majored in an Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field
  • Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)

Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
  • Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.4 out of 4.0 or higher
  • Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++
  • Experience in spacecraft GNC subsystem design, analysis, and testing
  • Experience implementing GNC algorithms on embedded systems
  • Prior work experience in related field
  • Proficiency in Microsoft office suite, version control tools such as SVN or Git
  • Experience with Model Based Systems engineering, digital transformation tools such as the Atlassian suite.
  • Previous/current membership or leadership roles in professional groups, clubs, or extracurricular activities is desired
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

Pay Range for Associate Engineer: 76,200.00 - 114,400.00
Pay Range for Engineer: 91,800.00 - 137,600.00
Primary Level Salary Range: $76,200.00 - $114,400.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $0.00 - $0.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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