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Gear Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical stress analysis, material and heat treatment selection, tolerance and fit analyses, lubrication, spur and helical gear design, statics and dynamics, noise and vibration and a variety of ...

Mechanical stress analysis, material and heat treatment selection, tolerance and fit analyses, lubrication, spur and helical gear design, statics and dynamics, noise andvibrationand a variety of ...

Mechanical stress analysis, material and heat treatment selection, tolerance and fit analyses, lubrication, spur and helical gear design, statics and dynamics, noise and vibration and a variety of ...

Gear Machinist

San Jose, CA · On-site

$45 - $80/hr

In this role, you will work closely with engineering and production teams to design, produce, and inspect precision gears and gear systems that are critical to our development. Responsibilities:

Radar Cross Section (RCS) design, analysis, and test * You will work in integrated product teams to incorporate advanced signature control techniques into deliverable products and aid in the ...

Gear Machinist

San Jose, CA · On-site

$45 - $80/hr

In this role, you will work closely with engineering and production teams to design, produce, and inspect precision gears and gear systems that are critical to our development. Responsibilities:

Mechanical stress analysis, material and heat treatment selection, tolerance and fit analyses, lubrication, spur and helical gear design, statics and dynamics, noise and vibration and a variety of ...

$98K - $129K/yr

Creo experience is preferred. • Experience with one or more of the following: gear design, shaft design, bearing sizing, shift mechanisms, CVTs, clutches, splines, or chain drive systems. • ...

Showing results 41-60

Gear Design information

See salary details

$22K

$85.7K

$154K

How much do gear design jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for gear design in the United States is $85,667.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,500.00 and $108,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a gear design?

A Gear Design job involves creating and optimizing gears for mechanical systems, ensuring they meet performance, durability, and efficiency requirements. Engineers in this role use CAD software and engineering principles to design gears for applications in automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, and more. They analyze factors like load capacity, material selection, and manufacturing processes to ensure reliable gear operation. Collaboration with manufacturing teams and testing prototypes are also key aspects of the job.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in gear design, and why are they important?

To thrive in Gear Design, you need a strong background in mechanical engineering, sound knowledge of gear theory, materials science, and CAD proficiency, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with design software like SolidWorks or CATIA, and analysis tools such as ANSYS or KISSsoft, as well as industry certifications, are commonly expected. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills are essential soft skills in this field. These qualifications are critical to ensure the development of precise, reliable, and cost-effective gear systems that meet industry standards and performance requirements.

What are some of the typical challenges faced in a gear design role, and how are they addressed?

Gear Design professionals often deal with challenges such as optimizing gear performance while balancing constraints like weight, cost, and manufacturability. They must account for factors like material selection, load requirements, and noise reduction, all while ensuring the gears can be produced efficiently at scale. Overcoming these challenges usually involves working closely with cross-functional teams—including manufacturing, quality assurance, and R&D—to validate designs and test prototypes. Staying updated with new materials and design methodologies also helps address evolving industry needs. Successful gear designers are adaptable and proactive in researching solutions to deliver innovative and reliable components.

More about Gear Design jobs

What states have the most Gear Design jobs?

States with the most job openings for Gear Design jobs include:

What are popular job titles for Gear Design?

Popular job titles for Gear Design:

Infographic showing various Gear Design job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,667 per year, or $41.2 per hour.

Principal or Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Landing Gear)

San Diego, CA

Northrop Grumman Corporation
Space Research Administration • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Develop, design, and integrate landing gear systems for advanced aircraft.

  • Support aircraft design efforts by creating 3D models, performing trade studies, and supporting hardware selection and preliminary sizing.

  • Coordinate with suppliers and internal engineering teams to develop system requirements, specifications, and support technical exchanges.


Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 371 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

65th of 547 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman's Aeronautics Systems - Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We're the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what's possible.

Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you're driven to invent the future, build what's next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal or Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Landing Gear) to our team in El Segundo, CA or Rancho Bernardo, CA.

The selected candidate will be responsible for development, design, and integration of landing gear on an advanced aircraft.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Identify existing and/or conceptual landing gear systems to meet requirements, creating 3D models and layouts, and performing trade studies to analyze the impact of integrating proposed mechanisms systems onto aircraft, as well as identify main driver variables that most significantly impact top level program requirements.
  • Support advanced aircraft design efforts with landing gear system design, hardware selection, placement, preliminary sizing, and initial integration into different aircraft configurations. Secondary role is to provide mechanisms design support to other aircraft sub-systems, such as drive systems and door uplocks for in-flight door operation.
  • Develop landing gear system requirements and create the associated system specifications, supplier procurement specifications, and supplier SOWs. This will include, but is not limited to, creating functional architecture and activity diagrams, in collaboration with other sub-system engineering disciplines to understand power, cooling, signal, and structural interfaces for the landing gear system.
  • Support the supplier management team by being the primary technical interface between NGAS and landing gear supplier subject matter experts.
  • Participate in internal program, customer, and supplier technical exchange meetings and formal program milestone reviews to provide and/or obtain progress status updates.
  • Provide technical guidance to, and coordinate with, multiple engineering design teams, including the aircraft configuration team, the structures team, sub-systems team, and supplier management teams supporting the conceptual, preliminary, and detail design and development of the aircraft.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote/telework option for this role.

This position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

This position can be filled at either the Principal Aeronautical Engineer OR Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Aeronautical Engineer:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline with 5 years of related experience; OR a Master's Degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 3 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 1 year of related experience.
  • Prior experience with aircraft landing gear systems and landing gear design
  • Prior experience with 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software applications
  • Familiarity with industry standard software application tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, etc.
  • Current, active in-scope U.S. Government Secret security clearance
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline with 8 years of related experience; OR a Master's Degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 6 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 4 years of related experience.
  • Prior experience with aircraft landing gear systems and landing gear design
  • Prior experience with 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software applications
  • Familiarity with industry standard software application tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, etc.
  • Current, active in-scope U.S. Government Secret security clearance
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).

Preferred Qualifications for both levels:

  • Master's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related discipline
  • Expert knowledge of landing gear design including:
    • Landing gear placement (both deployed and retracted positions)
    • Landing gear loads and preliminary sizing
    • Shock struts
    • Wheel and tire selection
    • Braking systems
    • Retraction and locking systems
    • Landing gear door sequencing mechanisms
  • Experience with Siemens NX CAD application, including NX Motion module
  • Familiarity with development of landing gear doors, door actuation and door locks, as well as the development of in-flight door opening mechanisms
  • Prior experience leading a team of engineers
  • Prior experience in coordinating with multiple Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) within a dynamic program environment
  • Experience with suppliers and supplier coordination
Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939