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How much do composite design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for composite design engineer in the United States is $103,596.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $119,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Composite Design Engineer job?

A Composite Design Engineer is responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing composite materials and structures used in aerospace, automotive, marine, and other industries. They work with advanced materials like carbon fiber and fiberglass to develop lightweight, high-strength components. Their role includes selecting materials, creating CAD models, performing structural analyses, and collaborating with manufacturing teams. They ensure that composite structures meet performance, safety, and cost requirements while complying with industry standards.

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

To thrive as a Composite Design Engineer, you need expertise in composite materials, structural analysis, and CAD modeling, typically backed by an engineering degree in aerospace, mechanical, or materials engineering. Proficiency with design software like CATIA, SolidWorks, or ANSYS, and familiarity with industry standards such as ISO or ASME, is crucial, and certifications in composite design are often beneficial. Strong project management, communication, and collaborative problem-solving abilities distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure innovative, manufacturable designs that meet high-performance standards and integrate effectively into multidisciplinary teams.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Composite Design Engineer?

As a Composite Design Engineer, your daily tasks typically involve creating detailed 3D models and engineering drawings, performing material and structural analyses, and collaborating with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are feasible and cost-effective. You may participate in meetings with project managers, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams to discuss design requirements, product testing, and implementation timelines. Additionally, reviewing and refining current designs for performance improvements and addressing any issues that arise during prototyping or production are common parts of the role. This hands-on, collaborative approach offers a dynamic work environment, blending technical analysis with practical problem-solving.
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Composite Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Composite Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% Full Time, 61% Part Time, and 30% Contract. Highlights an 71% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,596 per year, or $49.8 per hour.
Senior Aerostructures Design Engineer (R4721)

Senior Aerostructures Design Engineer (R4721)

Shield AI

Dallas, TX

$112.44K - $168.66K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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 a Senior Aerostructures Design Engineer to support the development of structural components for our next-generation autonomous aircraft. As a key contributor on the Mechanical Engineering team, you will design and develop high-performance structural components from concept through production release.

You'll work cross-functionally to ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration across one of the most advanced autonomous aircraft platforms being built today. This role is ideal for an aerospace mechanical engineer who thrives in hands-on design environments and is eager to take increasing ownership of flight-critical designs.

What you'll do:
  • Design and develop structural components and assemblies for Shield AI's next-generation UAV platform, supporting both primary and secondary aircraft structures.
  • Execute all stages of the design lifecycle including conceptual development, initial CAD modeling, detailed design, and drawing release.
  • Perform hand calculations for stress or strain with limited basic FEA analysis, with guidance from senior engineers as needed.
  • Collaborate closely with aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, payload, and manufacturing teams to support system integration across airframe interfaces.
  • Support structural validation efforts including coupon testing, subcomponent testing, and system-level verification.
  • Generate high-quality design documentation, drawings, interface definitions, and analysis reports in compliance with aerospace standards.
  • Partner with manufacturing and flight test teams to resolve build issues and support hardware through test and deployment.
  • Participate in design reviews and technical discussions, presenting work clearly and incorporating feedback effectively.
  • Continuously improve personal technical depth in structural layout, joints, fasteners, tolerancing, and structural optimization.
Required qualifications:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
  • 5+ years of experience in aircraft structural design or closely related aerospace structures.
  • Experience designing and releasing structural components in development or production environments.
  • Working knowledge of composite and metallic structures, including fasteners, bonded joints, and load paths.
  • Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar).
  • Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stackups, and DFMA principles.
  • Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced, high-ownership engineering environments
Preferred qualifications:
  • M.S. degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
  • Experience supporting UAV, DoD, or aerospace vehicle programs.
  • Familiarity with aerospace standards (MIL-STD, ASME Y14.5, FAA).
  • Experience supporting hardware through test, failure analysis, and design iteration.
  • Exposure to composite design and manufacturing methods.
  • Experience using FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or similar) for linear structural analysis
$112,439 - $168,659 a year
#LI-MS
#LC

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.

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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. 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.
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