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Principal Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

Principal Integration Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

The Principal Integration Engineer - Payload leads end-to-end integration of advanced radar and ISR ... Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied ...

SAIC

Principal Integration Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

The Principal Integration Engineer - Payload leads end-to-end integration of advanced radar and ISR ... Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied ...

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All JobsPrincipal Aerospace Engineer JobsPrincipal Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Principal Aerospace Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$73.4K

$146K

$210.7K

How much do principal aerospace engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal aerospace engineer in Virginia is $145,957.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $171,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal aerospace engineer?

A Principal Aerospace Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for leading the design, analysis, and development of aerospace systems, including aircraft, spacecraft, and related technologies. They oversee engineering teams, ensure compliance with industry standards, and contribute to innovative solutions for aerospace challenges. Their role often involves project management, technical mentorship, and collaboration with other engineering disciplines. Additionally, they may work on research and development to advance aerospace technology and improve system performance.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as a principal aerospace engineer?

As a Principal Aerospace Engineer, you will typically oversee the design, development, and testing of advanced aerospace systems, such as aircraft, spacecraft, or satellites. Your responsibilities often include leading engineering teams, managing technical reviews, coordinating with cross-functional departments, and ensuring projects meet regulatory and safety standards. You may also mentor junior engineers, contribute to strategic planning, and interface directly with clients or stakeholders. The role is both technically challenging and highly collaborative, requiring a mix of hands-on engineering work and high-level project leadership.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal aerospace engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Aerospace Engineer, a strong background in aerospace engineering, advanced problem-solving, and leadership skills are required, often supported by a relevant engineering degree and extensive industry experience. Proficiency with design software such as CATIA or SolidWorks, familiarity with simulation tools, and certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are highly valued. Outstanding project management, communication, and mentoring abilities distinguish top performers in this position. These skills and qualities are crucial for driving innovation, ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards, and successfully leading complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Aerospace Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Principal Aerospace Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal Aerospace Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Aerospace Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

Principal Aerospace Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Aerospace Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,957 per year, or $70.2 per hour.

Principal Aerospace Modeling & Simulation Engineer - TS/SCI Clearance

@Orchard

Herndon, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Define the technical vision, modeling strategy, and execution approach for M&S programs.

  • Partner with customers and program leadership to clarify mission needs, shape technical solutions, and translate requirements into work plans.

  • Maintain overall technical quality across the M&S team, including models, scenarios, assumptions, methods, results, and conclusions.

Job description

Principal Aerospace Modeling & Simulation Engineer

 (TS/SCI Clearance)

Herndon, VA

@Orchard is retained by a top geospatial technology company in their search for a Principal Aerospace Modeling & Simulation Engineer to support advanced ISR studies for government and commercial customers. In this role, you will provide strategic and technical leadership across the Client's Aerospace Modeling & Simulation (M&S) organization. You will serve as the primary intermediary between customers, program leadership, and modeling teams, translating mission needs and customer objectives into executable technical strategies, program roadmaps, and prioritized action plans. 

 

Your Role/Responsibilities:

As a Principal Aerospace Modeling & Simulation Engineer, you will:

  • Define the technical vision, modeling strategy, and execution approach for M&S programs. 
  • Partner with customers and program leadership to clarify mission needs, shape technical solutions, and translate requirements into prioritized work plans. 
  • Maintain overall technical quality across the M&S team, including the integrity of models, scenarios, assumptions, methods, results, and conclusions. 
  • Establish and enforce common modeling approaches, technical review standards, verification and validation practices, and documentation expectations. 
  • Standardize simulation workflows and promote reusable models, scenarios, data products, tools, and analysis components across programs. 
  • Improve team efficiency through automation, reduced manual analyst effort, better tool integration, and effective use of high-performance, cloud, and distributed computing environments. 
  • Guide technical work allocation and prioritization based on customer needs, program risk, available resources, and strategic objectives. 
  • Identify cross-project technical risks, process weaknesses, capability gaps, and opportunities for improvement. 
  • Mentor and develop analysts through coaching, technical reviews, training, and knowledge sharing. 
  • Develop recommendations and roadmaps for future investments in M&S tools, infrastructure, methods, data, and workforce capabilities. 
  • Represent the M&S organization in customer engagements, technical reviews, proposals, and strategic planning activities.  

 

Minimum Requirements:

·        This position requires US citizenship and an active TS/SCI clearance, or TS with SCI eligibility, as mandatory for consideration.

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university, in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science.  
  • 15 years of relevant experience.
  • Willing to work on-site. 

 

Desired / Preferred Qualifications:

  • An advanced degree in Engineering or a related field. 
  • Working knowledge of the theory and applications of astrodynamics, remote sensing, spacecraft design, aerospace systems operations, or complex systems integration is desired. 
  • Experience with the design, development and software implementation of complex mathematical algorithms. 
  • Ability to develop standalone engineering tools/scripts via Python and/or Excel. 
  • Ability to identify, analyze, resolve technical risks and issues, develop technical reports, and collaborate with government and other stakeholders to implement recommended solutions. 
  • Ability to communicate and establish collaborative relationships with both clients and teammates to achieve program goals. 
  • Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. 
  • Highly motivated and dynamic work ethic with a strong desire to contribute to the mission.

 

Established in 2010, @Orchard has an exceptional reputation, providing talent acquisition solutions to time-sensitive, talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI.  Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skillset, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atorchard.com.