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Mass Properties Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

As a Mass Properties Engineer, you'll be the backbone of our weight and balance programs-ensuring every gram counts as we push the boundaries of sustainable urban air mobility. This isn't a desk job.

Mass Properties Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$170K - $215K/yr

As a Mass Properties Engineer, you'll be the backbone of our weight and balance programs-ensuring every gram counts as we push the boundaries of sustainable urban air mobility. This isn't a desk job.

Engineer III

Poway, CA · On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

Initiates the planning of engineering projects and develops innovative designs or modifications in ... Perform detailed analysis tasks to ensure hardware meets all weight, mass properties, and inertia ...

Engineer VII

Poway, CA · On-site

$128K - $229K/yr

Liaison to propulsion, aerodynamics, mass properties, and other disciplines. We recognize and ... May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education. * Degree in aerospace ...

Senior MDAO Engineer

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$155K - $195K/yr

... aerodynamics, propulsion, mass properties, structures, controls, mission performance, and ... Mentor engineers contributing to or using MDAO workflows, particularly around modeling assumptions ...

Design Engineer Golf

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$70K - $91K/yr

Engineer club performance through mass properties, testing, and engineering iterations * 3D Print prototype club models for analysis * Coordinate with Development Team on pilot run and production ...

Engineer VI

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$116K - $208K/yr

Translate the physics of flight control avionics, aerodynamic characteristics, and mass properties ... May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education. * Relevant background in the ...

Support packaging studies to evaluate component placement, clearances, accessibility, maintainability, mass properties, and integration constraints. * Incorporate engineering inputs from multiple ...

... mass properties, vehicle simulation, etc.) in a fast-moving environment. * Demonstrated experience in developing computing software and infrastructure, with proficiency in the scientific Python ...

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Mass Properties Engineer information

See California salary details

$43.4K

$105K

$171.2K

How much do mass properties engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for mass properties engineer in California is $104,993.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,000.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mass properties engineer?

A Mass Properties Engineer is responsible for analyzing and managing the weight, balance, and inertial properties of vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, or other mechanical systems. They ensure that designs meet performance, stability, and safety requirements by tracking mass distribution and weight optimization throughout the development process. This role involves working closely with structural, aerodynamics, and systems engineering teams to ensure accurate weight estimates and compliance with design constraints. Mass Properties Engineers use specialized software and analytical methods to predict weight and balance impacts, providing critical data for manufacturing and operational decision-making.

What are the typical challenges faced by mass properties engineers in their daily work?

Mass Properties Engineers often face the challenge of balancing strict weight and balance constraints while accommodating ever-changing design requirements throughout a project’s lifecycle. They must ensure precise calculations as components are added or modified, which requires close collaboration with design, structural, and systems engineering teams. Adapting to shifting priorities, integrating new materials or technologies, and meeting regulatory or customer specifications can all add complexity to the role. However, these challenges provide a dynamic and engaging work environment with significant impact on the success and safety of aerospace products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the mass properties engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mass Properties Engineer, you need a solid understanding of physics, mathematics, and engineering principles, typically supported by a degree in aerospace, mechanical, or a related engineering field. Expertise with mass properties analysis software (such as CATIA, NX, or HyperSizer), familiarity with CAD systems, and knowledge of industry standards and regulations are crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this position. Mastering these areas is vital to ensure accurate mass distribution calculations, structural integrity, and successful collaboration in multidisciplinary aerospace projects.

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

The most popular types of Mass Properties Engineer jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Mass Properties Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Mass Properties Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Mass Properties Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $104,993 per year, or $50.5 per hour.

Mass Properties Engineer

Archer

San Jose, CA

$170K - $215K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Join Archer Aviation's Mass Properties team and play a critical role in bringing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from concept to certified reality. As a Mass Properties Engineer, you'll be the backbone of our weight and balance programs-ensuring every gram counts as we push the boundaries of sustainable urban air mobility.
This isn't a desk job. You'll get hands-on with actual aircraft, manage data that directly influences flight performance, and see your work take to the skies.
 
What You'll Do

Own Critical Data Programs
  • Lead day-to-day execution of mass properties programs across multiple aircraft platforms
  • Build and maintain the master database tracking weight, CG, and inertia for all aircraft variants-the single source of truth for the entire engineering organization
Bridge Design and Reality
  • Partner with design, structures, and systems teams to validate mass assumptions and drive weight optimization decisions
  • Manage the evolution of mass data from early estimates through measured flight hardware-you'll track every component's journey
Get Hands-On with Aircraft
  • Conduct aircraft inspections and lead weighing operations-this role gets you on the factory floor and around actual aircraft
  • Execute weight and balance audits that ensure flight safety and performance targets
Support Certification & Compliance
  • Prepare documentation and analysis supporting FAA certification activities
  • Ensure all mass properties data meets regulatory requirements for weight and balance compliance
Drive Process Innovation
  • Implement tools and workflows that make data collection faster, more accurate, and more useful to the team
  • Identify opportunities to improve how we track and communicate mass properties across the program
What You'll Bring
 
Required:
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related STEM field (or equivalent practical experience)
  • 5-10 years of experience in mass properties, weight engineering, or related disciplines on aircraft or aerospace vehicle programs
  • Strong understanding of weight and balance principles for dynamic systems
  • Exceptional organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail-you naturally catch discrepancies others miss
  • Comfortable moving between analytical work and hands-on data collection
  • Effective communicator who can translate technical data for cross-functional audiences
Preferred:
  • Proficiency with CAD tools (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA) for extracting mass properties from 3D models
  • Experience with ARP4754A certification processes
  • Direct experience conducting aircraft weighing operations or physical inspections
  • Background with eVTOL, rotorcraft, or novel aircraft configurations
  • Familiarity with database management or mass properties-specific software

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $170,000.00 - $215,000.00. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience

Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.