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Director Aerospace Engineer 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 ...

Alutiiq

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$190K - $240K/yr

Provide SME-level aerospace engineering expertise on missile warning ground processing, mission ... Prior direct support to SSC/SN, SMC, NORAD/USNORTHCOM, or predecessor Space Force / Air Force ...

Alutiiq

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$195K - $250K/yr

... direct support to SSC/SN, SMC, or predecessor Space Force / Air Force space organizations DAWIA ... Citizenship Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Mechanical ...

Alutiiq

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$170K - $210K/yr

Provide SME-level aerospace engineering expertise for missile warning mission ground systems ... direct support to SSC/SN, SMC, or predecessor Space Force / Air Force space organizations ...

Alutiiq, LLC

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$195K - $250K/yr

Taxable Entity MCCALLIE ASSOCIATES INC Job Title Aerospace Engineer Location CA Los Angeles AFB ... Prior direct support to SSC/SN, SMC, or predecessor Space Force / Air Force space organizations

Novus Capstone, LLC

Aerospace Engineer

Edgefield, SC · On-site

Position Description Novus Capstone is seeking a highly motivated Senior Aerospace Engineer to ... BENEFITS 401(k) 7% direct company contribution. Unlimited paid time off subject to meeting customer ...

Posted today

Alutiiq, LLC

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

Taxable Entity MCCALLIE ASSOCIATES INC Job Title Aerospace Engineer Location CA Los Angeles AFB ... Prior direct support to SSC/SN, SMC, or predecessor Space Force / Air Force space organizations

Alutiiq, LLC

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$190K - $240K/yr

Taxable Entity MCCALLIE ASSOCIATES INC Job Title Aerospace Engineer Location CA Los Angeles AFB ... Prior direct support to SSC/SN, SMC, NORAD/USNORTHCOM, or predecessor Space Force / Air Force ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Aerospace Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site +1

$86K - $198K/yr

Share Aerospace Engineer The Opportunity: We're looking for someone to join the Booz Allen Space ... and direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) * Experience developing granular flow simulation ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Aerospace Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

Aerospace Engineer The Opportunity: We're looking for someone to join the Booz Allen Space ... and direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) * Experience developing granular flow simulation ...

Naval Air Systems Command

AEROSPACE ENGINEER

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$46K - $132K/yr

Must participate in the direct deposit pay program. * New employees to the Department of the Navy ... Knowledge of Aerospace engineering and logistics management policies, practices and procedures used ...

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Director Aerospace Engineer information

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$73K

$194.7K

$254K

How much do director aerospace engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for director aerospace engineer in the United States is $194,709.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,500.00 and $253,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director aerospace engineer do?

A Director Aerospace Engineer leads and oversees engineering teams in the design, development, and testing of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. They are responsible for setting project goals, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Additionally, they collaborate with other departments, guide research initiatives, and play a key role in strategic planning for aerospace projects. Their leadership ensures that engineering projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet technical specifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director aerospace engineer?

To thrive as a Director Aerospace Engineer, you need a deep understanding of aerospace engineering principles, extensive project management experience, and typically a master's or doctoral degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with industry-standard design software (such as CATIA, SolidWorks, or MATLAB), aerospace regulations, and certifications like PMP or Six Sigma are highly valuable. Leadership, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills distinguish top performers in this executive role. These competencies are crucial for overseeing complex engineering projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring successful, compliant product development in a highly regulated and innovative field.

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

As a Director Aerospace Engineer, one common challenge is effectively coordinating teams with diverse technical backgrounds, such as aerodynamics, avionics, and propulsion. Balancing project timelines, budgets, and regulatory compliance across these disciplines requires strong communication and leadership skills. Additionally, managing stakeholder expectations and integrating feedback from multiple departments can be complex, but is essential to ensure project success and innovation. Directors often address these challenges by fostering collaboration, setting clear priorities, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

What is the difference between Director Aerospace Engineer vs Senior Aerospace Engineer?

AspectDirector Aerospace EngineerSenior Aerospace Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, manages teams, sets strategic goalsDesigns, develops, and tests aerospace systems, leads technical tasks
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace Engineering, extensive experience, leadership skillsBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace Engineering, several years of technical experience
Work EnvironmentManagement offices, project oversight, cross-department collaborationDesign labs, testing facilities, technical development environments

The main difference is that a Director Aerospace Engineer focuses on strategic leadership and project management, while a Senior Aerospace Engineer concentrates on technical design and development. The director role involves overseeing teams and aligning projects with company goals, whereas the senior engineer is more hands-on with engineering tasks.

What cities are hiring for Director Aerospace Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Director Aerospace Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Aerospace Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Aerospace Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Director Aerospace Engineer jobs?

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

Director Aerospace Engineer jobs near you

Engineering Director - Aerospace

Newport News, VA • On-site

Qualdoc
Strategic Planning Consulting Services • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Qualdocexternal

$130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 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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