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Director Aerospace Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$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 ...

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท 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

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$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 ...

... 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 ...

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท 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

Aerospace Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท 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 ...

AEROSPACE ENGINEER

San Diego, CA ยท 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

See salary details

$73K

$194.7K

$254K

How much do director aerospace engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Aerospace Engineer, and why are they important?

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 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 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 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 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:

Aerospace Engineer

Alutiiq

El Segundo, CA โ€ข On-site

$190K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

McCallie Associates, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alutiiq, LLC, is accepting applications for a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Aerospace Engineer - Space Force Missile Warning Ground Mission to support the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) missile warning ground mission - a major program area providing 24/7 ballistic missile and hypersonic threat warning to the joint warfighter. This role provides deep engineering expertise across the missile warning ground processing, mission management, and operational delivery threads

This position will provide senior engineering judgment to one of the most consequential mission lines in Space Sensing - the systems that turn satellite-detected threats into actionable missile warning to the President, the Secretary of Defense, combatant commanders, and warfighters in real time. Provide SME-level aerospace engineering expertise on missile warning ground processing, mission management, and operational delivery Lead engineering reviews of ground processing architectures, mission management systems, and operational software baselines Support development planning for next-generation missile warning ground capabilities, including Next-Gen OPIR ground processing Contribute to engineering analyses of end-to-end missile warning latency, accuracy, and reliability Engage with contractor program teams developing or sustaining missile warning ground processing and mission management capabilities Review and contribute to engineering change proposals, technical baseline reviews, and operational software change boards Provide engineering oversight for integration of missile warning ground with satellite and user segments Prepare technical briefings, engineering position papers, and operational readiness assessments for senior Government audiences This opportunity is for a POTENTIAL CONTRACT award and is contingent upon the contract being awarded. Consideration for a potential contract may require a signed letter of intent.

If the contract is awarded, another position posting will be available on the Company Careers portal.Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility U.S. Citizenship Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline from an ABET-accredited institution Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible aerospace engineering experience, with demonstrated SME-level depth in missile warning systems, satellite ground processing, or mission management systems Demonstrated experience with DoD missile warning, SBIRS, Next-Gen OPIR, or related strategic sensing missions Experience with operational ground software baselines, mission management, and 24/7 operational delivery Strong written and verbal communication; demonstrated ability to brief senior Government audiences Preferred Qualifications Master's degree or PhD in a technical discipline Prior direct support to SSC/SN, SMC, NORAD/USNORTHCOM, or predecessor Space Force / Air Force missile warning organizations Direct experience with SBIRS Mission Control Station, Next-Gen OPIR ground, or legacy missile warning ground modernization Operational missile warning crew or crew-supervisor experience Expected salary range: $190,000 to $240,000 per yearActive Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility U.S. Citizenship Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline from an ABET-accredited institution Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible aerospace engineering experience, with demonstrated SME-level depth in missile warning systems, satellite ground processing, or mission management systems Demonstrated experience with DoD missile warning, SBIRS, Next-Gen OPIR, or related strategic sensing missions Experience with operational ground software baselines, mission management, and 24/7 operational delivery Strong written and verbal communication; demonstrated ability to brief senior Government audiences Preferred Qualifications Master's degree or PhD in a technical discipline Prior direct support to SSC/SN, SMC, NORAD/USNORTHCOM, or predecessor Space Force / Air Force missile warning organizations Direct experience with SBIRS Mission Control Station, Next-Gen OPIR ground, or legacy missile warning ground modernization Operational missile warning crew or crew-supervisor experience Expected salary range: $190,000 to $240,000 per year


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About Alutiiq

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Anchorage, AK, US

Year founded

1999

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