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Landing Gear Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Gear Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$160K - $250K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Gear Design Engineer to own gear and transmission design for our humanoid robot's hands - some of the most power-dense, space-constrained actuators in the world. You will ...

Senior Gear Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$160K - $250K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Gear Design Engineer to own gear and transmission design for our humanoid robot's hands - some of the most power-dense, space-constrained actuators in the world. You will ...

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Landing Gear Design Engineer information

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$34K

$104.5K

$147K

How much do landing gear design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for landing gear design engineer in the United States is $104,489.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,500.00 and $121,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a landing gear design engineer do?

A Landing Gear Design Engineer is responsible for designing, analyzing, and testing the landing gear systems of aircraft. Their work involves creating detailed technical drawings, selecting appropriate materials, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and collaborating with other engineering teams. They play a critical role in making sure that landing gear systems can safely support the aircraft during takeoff, landing, and taxiing. Additionally, they address issues related to weight, durability, and maintainability to optimize the performance and reliability of the landing gear.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a landing gear design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Landing Gear Design Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical or aerospace engineering, experience with structural analysis, and familiarity with industry regulations. Proficiency in CAD software (such as CATIA or SolidWorks), finite element analysis (FEA) tools, and knowledge of relevant certification standards like FAA/EASA are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help engineers collaborate and address complex design challenges. These skills are crucial for ensuring the safety, reliability, and compliance of landing gear systems in the demanding aerospace environment.

What are some typical challenges landing gear design engineers face when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Landing Gear Design Engineers often work closely with structural analysts, manufacturing teams, and systems integration specialists. A common challenge is balancing conflicting requirements, such as weight reduction, cost constraints, and durability standards, which requires effective communication and compromise. Additionally, integrating new materials or technologies while meeting stringent regulatory standards can be complex. Being proactive in cross-functional meetings and documenting design decisions helps ensure alignment and smooth project progression.

What is the difference between Landing Gear Design Engineer vs Aircraft Structural Engineer?

AspectLanding Gear Design EngineerAircraft Structural Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, relevant certificationsBachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, structural analysis certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, manufacturing facilities, testing sitesDesign offices, testing labs, manufacturing plants
Industry UsageAircraft manufacturers, aerospace companiesAircraft manufacturers, aerospace firms
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The Landing Gear Design Engineer focuses on designing and testing landing gear systems, ensuring safety and functionality during takeoff and landing. In contrast, the Aircraft Structural Engineer specializes in the overall structural integrity of the aircraft, including fuselage and wings. Both roles require aerospace engineering backgrounds and work within similar environments, but their specific focus areas differ significantly.

What cities are hiring for Landing Gear Design Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Landing Gear Design Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Landing Gear Design Engineer jobs?

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

What are popular job titles related to Landing Gear Design Engineer jobs?

For Landing Gear Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Landing Gear Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,489 per year, or $50.2 per hour.

Principal or Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Landing Gear)

El Segundo, CA • On-site

Northrop Grumman Corporation
Space Research Administration • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 372 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


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