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Director Aerospace Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Qualdoc

Engineering Director - Aerospace

Newport News, VA · On-site

$130K/yr

Engineering Director - Aerospace Location: Newport News, VA Job Type: Direct Hire Starting Salary: $130,000/year, with higher compensation available based on experience Position Overview Seeking an ...

Qualdoc

Engineering Director - Aerospace

Newport News, VA · On-site

$130K/yr

Engineering Director - Aerospace Location: Newport News, VA Job Type: Direct Hire Starting Salary: $130,000/year, with higher compensation available based on experience Position Overview Seeking an ...

Infor

Account Director- Automotive

Account Director- Automotive Department: Sales Employment Type: Full Time Location: US-Remote ... Educate internal teams on Aerospace & Defense market trends, government contracting challenges, and ...

CoorsTek

Sr Director Aerospace Business Development

Job Title Sr Director Aerospace Business Development As the Sr Director Aerospace Business Development, you will be responsible for developing opportunities and driving growth efforts in the global ...

FLIR Systems, Inc.

$137 - $182/hr

## Trade Compliance Director- Aerospace & Electronics SegmentApplylocations: US - Garland, TX: US - Torrance, CA: US - Hawthorne, CA (TDY): US - Milpitas, CA: US - Dallas, TXtime type: Full timeposted ...

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Director Aerospace information

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$26.5K

$137.8K

$362K

How much do director aerospace jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for director aerospace in the United States is $137,837.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $158,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director aerospace do?

A Director of Aerospace is responsible for overseeing the operations, strategy, and development within an aerospace organization or division. They manage teams of engineers, project managers, and other professionals to ensure projects meet technical, financial, and regulatory requirements. This role often involves collaborating with senior leadership to set goals, develop new technologies, and maintain compliance with safety and industry standards. Directors of Aerospace also play a key role in business development and maintaining client and government relationships.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director aerospace, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Aerospace, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, project management, and industry regulations, usually supported by an advanced degree and significant leadership experience. Familiarity with aerospace design software (such as CATIA or SolidWorks), compliance systems, and certifications like PMP or Six Sigma are typically required. Exceptional strategic thinking, leadership, and communication skills set top candidates apart in this high-stakes field. These capabilities are vital for driving innovation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and successfully leading cross-functional teams in a complex and competitive industry.

What are some typical challenges faced by a director aerospace when leading multidisciplinary teams?

As a Director of Aerospace, one common challenge is ensuring effective collaboration among teams with diverse specializations, such as engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance. Managing cross-functional communication and aligning everyone toward project goals requires strong leadership and adaptability. Additionally, overseeing complex projects often involves navigating tight deadlines, regulatory requirements, and evolving technologies. Building a culture of innovation while maintaining compliance and operational efficiency is essential to success in this role.

What is the difference between Director Aerospace vs Aerospace Engineer?

AspectDirector AerospaceAerospace Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace Engineering, Management experienceBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, project oversight, strategic planningDesign, analysis, testing, and development of aerospace systems
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, defense contractors, aerospace manufacturersResearch labs, manufacturing firms, government agencies

The main difference between a Director Aerospace and an Aerospace Engineer lies in their responsibilities and focus. Directors oversee projects, manage teams, and set strategic goals, while Aerospace Engineers focus on designing and developing aerospace systems. Both roles require engineering credentials, but Directors typically have additional leadership experience. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers identify the right career path within the aerospace industry.

More about Director Aerospace jobs

What cities are hiring for Director Aerospace jobs?

Cities with the most Director Aerospace job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Aerospace jobs?

The most popular types of Aerospace jobs are:

What states have the most Director Aerospace jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Aerospace jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Director Aerospace jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Aerospace jobs are:

Director Aerospace jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Aerospace job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,837 per year, or $66.3 per hour.

Engineering Director - Aerospace

Qualdoc

Newport News, VA • On-site

$130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Engineering Director - Aerospace

Location: Newport News, VA
Job Type: Direct Hire
Starting Salary: $130,000/year, with higher compensation available based on experience

Position Overview

Seeking an experienced engineering leader to oversee multidisciplinary teams spanning Mechanical, Structural, Electrical, and Aerodynamic engineering. This position owns engineering strategy, team development, program execution, and technical delivery from initial feasibility through design, qualification testing, and production.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead engineering programs, including staffing, scheduling, workload planning, estimates, budgets, and resource allocation.
  • Manage multiple engineering programs with varying scope and priorities.
  • Build, develop, and improve a high-performing engineering organization.
  • Provide coaching, career development, and technical leadership.
  • Monitor product development milestones and communicate progress to senior management.
  • Investigate missed targets and implement corrective actions, including training, process, and methodology improvements.
  • Establish and maintain engineering design review processes, technical guidelines, and development standards.
  • Conduct and oversee design reviews for technical quality and compliance.
  • Establish department goals, KPIs, priorities, and performance initiatives.
  • Serve as the primary engineering interface for Sales and Operations on technical strategy and delivery planning.
  • Support business development and proposals, including technical compliance matrices and engineering feasibility assessments.
  • Promote innovation while maintaining focus on product safety, manufacturability, and cost effectiveness.
  • Maintain current knowledge of aerospace engineering practices, tools, and methods.
  • Support AS9100, Lean, and other quality initiatives.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 10+ years of progressive engineering management experience, preferably in aerospace or defense.
  • Experience with aerospace product development, including STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) and FAA certification processes.
  • 5+ years of experience with FAR compliance and signature authority in an FAA and/or military certification environment.
  • Experience managing multiple concurrent engineering programs.
  • Strong project management, planning, organizational, and team leadership skills.
  • Ability to influence stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Strong customer-facing relationship management and communication skills.
  • Ability to analyze complex technical and business requirements.
  • Proficiency with SolidWorks and Microsoft Office.
  • U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Business acumen; Business Administration or Finance background preferred.
  • Familiarity with commercial and Department of Defense (DOD) contracting processes.
  • Broad knowledge of engineering, aircraft modification, FAA certification, and STC processes.
Security Clearance
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required for clearance eligibility.
  • Clearance processing is handled through DISCO (Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office).
Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be measured through:

  • Engineering staff productivity and utilization.
  • Quality performance and FAA/MCO compliance.
  • Schedule and milestone performance across programs.
  • Effectiveness of design review, governance, and risk management.
  • On-time qualification testing and transition to production.
  • Continuous improvement, including root-cause closure, process adoption, and training effectiveness.
Additional Requirements
  • Ongoing technical and compliance training as required.
  • Certification, AS9100, and Lean training as applicable.
  • Up to 50% domestic and international travel.
  • Ability to occasionally lift or move bulky items weighing more than 50 lbs.
  • Participation in a Drug Free Workplace Drug Testing Program.
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.
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About Qualdoc

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Strategic planning consulting services

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

2020

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