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Senior Aircraft Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.

MTSI is seeking a Senior Commercial Aircraft Airworthiness Engineer at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The ideal candidate(s) will have a working knowledge and experience with Federal Aviation ...

Supernal

Sr. Aircraft Layout & CAD Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

The Sr. Aircraft Layout & CAD Engineer supports aircraft configuration development, vehicle layout, packaging, and structural design integration for advanced air vehicle concepts. This role develops ...

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Senior Aircraft Engineer information

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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior aircraft engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior aircraft engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior aircraft engineer?

Senior Aircraft Engineers are highly experienced professionals responsible for overseeing the maintenance, repair, and overall airworthiness of aircraft. They lead engineering teams, ensure compliance with safety regulations, and troubleshoot complex technical issues. Their duties often include supervising maintenance schedules, approving engineering modifications, and liaising with regulatory authorities. Senior Aircraft Engineers play a critical role in ensuring that all aircraft systems operate safely and efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior aircraft engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Aircraft Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, extensive experience with aircraft systems, and relevant certifications such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license or EASA/FAA approval. Expertise with CAD software, maintenance management systems, and compliance tools is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, leadership, and effective communication set high-performing engineers apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and the successful management of complex engineering projects.

What are some common challenges faced by senior aircraft engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Aircraft Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing complex maintenance tasks under tight deadlines, ensuring compliance with evolving aviation regulations, and troubleshooting advanced technical issues. To address these challenges, it's essential to stay updated with regulatory changes, participate in continuous professional development, and foster strong communication with multidisciplinary teams. Building effective collaboration with technicians, inspectors, and project managers also helps streamline problem-solving and enhances overall operational safety.

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

AspectSenior Aircraft EngineerAircraft Maintenance Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications like EASA Part-66, experienceTechnical diploma or certification, licensing depending on region
Work EnvironmentDesign, development, oversight, and troubleshooting of aircraft systemsHands-on maintenance, inspections, repairs on aircraft
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, aerospace companies, defense contractorsAirlines, maintenance facilities, repair stations

While both roles require technical expertise and certifications, Senior Aircraft Engineers focus on design, analysis, and oversight of aircraft systems, whereas Aircraft Maintenance Engineers perform hands-on repairs and inspections. The senior role involves more planning and supervision, often working in design or oversight capacities, while maintenance engineers are directly involved in aircraft upkeep and safety checks.

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Senior Aircraft Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Aircraft Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.

Senior Aircraft Systems Engineer - Systems Safety

Garmin International, Inc.

Salem, OR • On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Garmin rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 159 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Overview
We are seeking a full-time Senior Aircraft Systems Engineer - Systems Safety for Garmin's Salem, OR location. In this role, you will be responsible for providing technical leadership in development or certification of avionics installations. This position requires an aviation background.
Essential Functions
  • Provide leadership for the certification aspects of Garmin aircraft certification projects through coordination with the FAA, internal Garmin groups and outside customers to ensure well planned, efficient and timely aircraft systems implementation, development and FAA certification
  • Serve in leadership capacity to develop and/or certify complex STCs designs including all aspects such as installation design/interconnect, safety considerations, etc.
  • Create or review STC certification plans for projects, including determining affected Federal Aviation Regulations and certification basis based on similar projects
  • Create or review test reports, analyses, and other compliance data for projects of medium complexity
  • May serve as project lead, technical lead, or certification lead for projects of medium complexity or for complex designs that are significant redesigns of existing STC projects
  • Demonstrate solid understanding of STC certification process and associated regulations
  • Revise procedures/create new procedures and logically define project documentation structure
  • Coordinate with outside customers to understand/meet their expectations consistently
  • Coordinate internal Garmin groups to communicate, execute and meet project goals and work effectively with design/development teams to complete complex projects
  • Understand design and/or certification constraints
  • Provide reliable solutions to a wide range of difficult problems using sound problem solving techniques
  • Serve as a mentor to less experienced aircraft systems engineers (Aircraft Systems Engineer 1 & 2)
  • Provide engineering support for the development of system safety documents

Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Computer Engineering AND a minimum of 5 years relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Excellent academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule)
  • Previous experience working in avionics design, installation and FAA certification
  • Must be detail-oriented and work proactively and effectively with some supervision support
  • Ability to prioritize and multi-task in a flexible, fast paced and challenging environment
  • Demonstrated knowledge of FAA regulations applicable to avionics and flight controls certification efforts
  • Demonstrated working knowledge of the FAA STC process
  • Demonstrated understanding of commercial avionics interface standards and their installation
  • Demonstrated clear understanding of the FAA system safety process
  • Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
  • Demonstrated advanced knowledge in one or more of the following technical areas: Electrical Systems, Structures, Mechanical Systems, System Safety, HIRF/Lightning, and/or Aircraft Certification

Desired Qualifications
  • A background with aircraft systems, aircraft maintenance or modification
  • Knowledge of FAA regulations applicable to avionics and flight controls certification efforts particularly those associated with system safety such as 23.1309
  • Pilot's license or Pilot-in-training
  • FAA DER, Candidate DER, or previous ODA Unit Member authorization
  • Prior experience in project, program, and people management

Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status, age or disability.
This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits

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