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Flight Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Flight Dynamicist

San Diego, CA · On-site

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Leidos

Flight Dynamicist

Rancho Santa Fe, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Leidos

Flight Dynamicist

San Diego, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Leidos

Flight Dynamicist

National City, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Leidos

Flight Dynamicist

San Diego, CA · On-site

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Heart Aerospace

Flight Systems Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$118K - $238K/yr

Lead the design of essential systems by collaborating cross-functionally with flight science, software, electrical, mechanical, and safety engineers. * Lead in-vehicle debugging, troubleshooting, and ...

Leidos

Flight Dynamicist

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Leidos

Flight Dynamicist

Chula Vista, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

E-Space

Flight Dynamics Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$50K - $200K/yr

As a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer, you will develop and maintain in-house and commercial flight dynamics and mission analysis software tools, and apply them to design, analyze, and operate our ...

E-Space

Flight Dynamics Engineer

Saratoga, CA

$50K - $200K/yr

As a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer, you will develop and maintain in-house and commercial flight dynamics and mission analysis software tools, and apply them to design, analyze, and operate our ...

E-Space

Flight Dynamics Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$50K - $200K/yr

As a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer, you will develop and maintain in-house and commercial flight dynamics and mission analysis software tools, and apply them to design, analyze, and operate our ...

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Flight Engineer information

See California salary details

$45.9K

$117K

$257.1K

How much do flight engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight engineer in California is $116,961.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,800.00 and $113,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a flight engineer?

As a flight engineer, it is your job to monitor an airplane’s instrument systems during flight. Your main duties are to regulate cabin pressure, communicate with dispatchers, oversee fuel use, and assist the pilot. The career requires aviation experience as well as a flight engineer (FE) license from the Federal Aviation Administration. Most commercial airlines require additional qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree in aviation. You must receive regular training throughout your career to keep your license.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a flight engineer?

To thrive as a Flight Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical and aeronautical engineering principles, typically supported by an associate's or bachelor's degree and relevant licensure or certification. Familiarity with aircraft systems, diagnostic tools, and flight management computers is essential for managing in-flight operations and troubleshooting issues. Strong attention to detail, communication, and problem-solving skills help Flight Engineers work effectively with pilots and maintenance crews. These skills are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient aircraft operation and prompt resolution of technical challenges during flights.

How does a flight engineer collaborate with pilots and maintenance crews during a typical flight operation?

A Flight Engineer works closely with pilots in the cockpit to monitor and manage all aircraft systems, such as engines, fuel, and hydraulics, ensuring optimal performance and safety throughout the flight. They regularly communicate with maintenance crews before and after flights to discuss technical issues, prepare aircraft for departures, and log any discrepancies for follow-up repairs. This collaborative environment requires strong teamwork, technical expertise, and clear communication to ensure safe and efficient flight operations.

What is the difference between Flight Engineer vs Aircraft Maintenance Engineer?

AspectFlight EngineerAircraft Maintenance Engineer
CredentialsFAA/AESA certifications, engineering degree often preferredAircraft Maintenance Engineer license, certifications in aircraft systems
Work EnvironmentOnboard aircraft during flights, in flight operationsMaintenance hangars, repair facilities, and on aircraft ground checks
Industry UsageCommercial and cargo airlines, military aviationAircraft maintenance companies, airline ground operations
Primary RoleMonitor aircraft systems during flight, assist pilotsInspect, repair, and maintain aircraft systems on the ground

While both roles involve aircraft systems, Flight Engineers focus on monitoring and supporting aircraft operations during flights, whereas Aircraft Maintenance Engineers handle ground-based inspections and repairs. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in aviation.

What do flight engineers do?

Flight engineers are responsible for monitoring and operating aircraft systems during flights, including engines, hydraulics, and electrical systems. They assist pilots with technical issues, perform pre-flight checks, and ensure safety protocols are followed, often working in the cockpit or engineering station. Certification and technical knowledge are essential for this role.
More about Flight Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Flight Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Flight Engineer jobs in California?

For Flight Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Flight Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Flight Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Flight Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Flight Engineer job openings:

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For Flight Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Flight Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 78% In-person, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,961 per year, or $56.2 per hour.

Flight Research Navigation Software Engineer

Joby Aviation

Santa Cruz, CA • On-site

$97K - $152K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Company Overview
Joby Flight Research designs, develops, and flight-tests novel aircraft using a software-first autonomy approach. We build and deploy autonomy, perception, planning, and radar systems across conventional, electric, and hydrogen-electric aircraft in both CTOL and VTOL configurations.
Overview
Joby Aviation's Flight Research team is looking for a driven Navigation Software Engineer to contribute to the research and development of new aircraft configurations.
We are a small, close-knit and agile team; the engineer will work closely with perception, controls, and autonomy engineers to develop state estimation and navigation capabilities that connect perception systems to flight control and mission management.
The role focuses on multi-sensor fusion, object and vehicle state estimation, and navigation architecture for new aircraft platforms. The engineer will develop algorithms and infrastructure enabling robust aircraft navigation, integrate perception outputs into the control stack, and support the development of advanced autonomy capabilities.
The engineer will be expected to deliver high-quality flight software, act with agency, and be capable of picking up a wide variety of tasks spanning research prototyping, production flight software, and analysis tooling.
Responsibilities
  • Develop high-quality navigation and state estimation software (C++) for experimental VTOL and CTOL aircraft.
  • Design and implement multi-sensor fusion algorithms incorporating inertial, air data, perception, and external sensor inputs.
  • Develop and maintain navigation infrastructure including transform trees, calibration pipelines, and state estimation frameworks.
  • Contribute to simulation and analysis tools (C++ / Python) used to evaluate navigation performance and algorithm robustness.
  • Integrate perception outputs into downstream systems including flight controls and mission management.
  • Formulate and execute test plans to demonstrate navigation accuracy, robustness, and performance.
  • Support flight testing of new aircraft.
  • Collaborate closely with perception, controls, and autonomy engineers to design well-integrated navigation and estimation architectures.

Required
  • Expert knowledge of modern state estimation methods including Kalman filtering, nonlinear filtering, or factor-graph based estimation.
  • Experience writing real-time and safety-critical C++ flight software.
  • Deep knowledge surrounding multi-sensor fusion systems or state estimation pipelines.
  • Experience writing C++ and Python in a professional environment.
  • Experience developing simulation or analysis tools for dynamic systems.
  • Experience with real-time signal processing.

This position must meet US export control compliance requirements, therefore a candidate must qualify as a "US Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15. "US Person" includes US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees.
Desired
  • Experience developing navigation systems or perception-integrated state estimators for autonomous aircraft.
  • Experience with factor graph based estimation frameworks or differentiable optimization tools (e.g. Symforce, Ceres, GTSAM).
  • Experience with multi-object tracking or perception-driven navigation systems.
  • Experience developing flight-test experiments for quantitative evaluation of navigation or estimation performance.
  • Experience with camera models, pixel measurements, or vision-based navigation systems.
  • Experience with system identification and sensor calibration techniques.

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $97,600 - $152,000/yr. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Additional Information
Joby Aviation is an equal opportunity employer.

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