15 of the Best Types of Aerospace Engineer Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Aerospace Engineer jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Aerospace Engineer Jobs

• Director Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $141,500 - $253,000

  A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.

• Manager Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $83,500 - $155,000

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Senior Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $104,500 - $143,500

  Senior Aerospace Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Senior Aerospace Engineer jobs pay between $104,500 (25th percentile) and $143,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Aerospace Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Virtual Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $88,500 - $132,500

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Per Diem Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $88,500 - $132,500

  Per diem jobs are short-term positions which are paid by the day. The most common per diem job opportunities are in the medical field, including positions in nursing, hospice, pediatrics, and midwifery. Phlebotomists, operating (OR) assistants, and pharmacists may also work on a per diem basis. Per diem employees are often contracted to work as admissions coordinators, recreation coordinators, and assistants.

• Temporary Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $88,500 - $132,500

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Full Time Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $88,500 - $132,500

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Temp Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $88,500 - $132,500

  Temp Aerospace Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Temp Aerospace Engineer jobs pay between $88,500 (25th percentile) and $132,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Temp Aerospace Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Locum Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $88,500 - $132,500

  Locum Aerospace Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Locum Aerospace Engineer jobs pay between $88,500 (25th percentile) and $132,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Locum Aerospace Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Freelance Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $50,500 - $128,500

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Summer Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $81,000 - $116,000

  Summer jobs are an integral part of American culture for students in their teens and beyond, but not all summer jobs are created equal. The difference between a great summer and an awful one can be the right job. According to Forbes, some good summer jobs for teens are camp counselor, golf caddy, nanny, food service, retail sales, and, of course, internships.

• Junior Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $48,500 - $80,000

  Junior Aerospace Engineer is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Junior Aerospace Engineer jobs pay between $48,500 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Aerospace Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Entry Level Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $51,500 - $78,500

  Qualifications for a career as an entry-level aerospace engineer include a bachelor’s degree in this engineering specialty. Many employers prefer a master’s degree. Coursework in aerodynamics, aviation, and navigation technologies is desirable. Many individuals start as technicians and advance with experience and voluntary certification through organizations like ABET. Advancement is possible with licensing through the National Society of Professional Engineers. Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills are imperative to identify and fix malfunctions. Excellent listening skills are necessary to learn procedures and protocols in this subordinate role.

• Trainee Aerospace Engineer

  Salary range: $52,000 - $74,500

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Aerospace Engineer Internship

  Salary range: $33,500 - $43,500

  The qualifications to get an aerospace engineer internship for vary, depending on the specific position which you are interested in and company guidelines. To obtain an aerospace engineer internship during your undergraduate studies, you usually need to have completed two to three years of schooling to be eligible. In addition to having a strong fundamental knowledge of aerospace engineering, aerodynamics, and other engineering principles, an intern should also have strong technical skills, including familiarity with computer programming and AutoCAD. Recent graduates need similar capabilities, and some internships require you to have a minimum GPA. Strong interpersonal communication skills, being a multitasker, and having strong attention to detail are qualities that employers look for when selecting interns.