Aerospace Jobs in California
Aerospace jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense systems, commercial aviation, satellite technology, and space launch across a range of levels from early-career technicians and engineers through senior program managers and systems architects. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Antelope Valley are the primary hiring hubs, home to long-established employers like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing, with consistent demand for propulsion engineers, systems engineers, and avionics specialists. California's dense cluster of defense contractors, national laboratories, and commercial space ventures creates sustained hiring pressure that few other states can match. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Join Our Team at Asperion Aerospace
Asperion Aerospace is seeking a detail-oriented Quality Director to help ensure the highest standards of quality and precision in the manufacturing of aerospace components. In this role, you will work closely with Quality Inspectors, production, engineering, and quality teams to inspect complex aircraft structures and components, verify compliance with customer and regulatory requirements, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
If you’re a seasoned Quality leader ready to shape the future of a fast‑growing aerospace organization, this role offers the chance to build, elevate, and lead a world‑class Quality function across manufacturing, repair, overhaul, and FAA‑regulated MRO operations. We’re looking for a hands‑on, strategic leader who thrives in a high‑precision, high‑accountability environment and knows how to drive excellence from the shop floor to the executive level.
We are seeking a Director of Quality to lead and elevate our Quality organization across aerospace manufacturing, machining, sheet metal fabrication, special processes, and FAA-regulated Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) operations. This is a highly visible leadership role that combines strategic influence with hands-on engagement on the production floor.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished Quality Leader ready to broaden their impact and help shape the future of a growing aerospace organization. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will drive quality excellence, regulatory compliance, operational performance, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement throughout the enterprise.
This is more than a compliance role. It is an opportunity to build teams, strengthen systems, reduce cost of poor quality, improve operational performance, and become a trusted business leader.
What You'll Do
As Director of Quality, you will own the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of our Quality Management System while partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Executive Leadership.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Quality Engineers, Inspectors, and Quality professionals.
- Serve as the organization's quality leader for aerospace manufacturing and FAA-regulated MRO operations.
- Maintain and continuously improve our AS9100-certified Quality Management System.
- Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, contractual, and industry requirements.
- Support FAA regulatory compliance, Repair Station requirements, audits, surveillance activities, corrective actions, and return-to-service documentation.
- Lead customer, certification, regulatory, and internal audits while driving sustainable corrective actions.
- Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to improve product quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
- Drive defect prevention, root cause analysis, corrective action processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Establish and monitor key performance metrics including First Pass Yield, supplier quality, customer escapes, COPQ, audit performance, and corrective action effectiveness.
- Oversee supplier quality and special process partners including heat treating, plating, chemical processing, NDT, painting, machining, and other outsourced operations.
- Review customer contracts, drawings, specifications, and flow-down requirements to ensure compliance throughout the organization and supply base.
- Communicate quality risks, compliance concerns, and improvement opportunities directly to executive leadership.
- Foster a culture where quality ownership exists throughout the organization, not solely within the Quality Department.
What Makes This Opportunity Different
Visibility and Impact
You'll have a direct voice with executive leadership and an opportunity to influence business decisions, operational strategy, customer relationships, and organizational growth.
Career Growth
This role is ideal for a strong Quality Manager seeking the next step into senior leadership. You'll own the entire Quality function and help shape the future direction of the organization.
Hands-On Leadership
We're looking for a leader who enjoys being on the shop floor, solving problems, coaching teams, engaging customers, and driving improvements where the work happens.
Diverse Aerospace Environment
You'll support a unique mix of aerospace manufacturing, machining, fabrication, special processing, military aircraft programs, and FAA-regulated MRO operations.
What We're Looking For
Required Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Quality, or a related technical discipline.
- 10+ years of progressive Quality leadership experience within aerospace manufacturing, aviation, defense, or MRO environments.
- Proven experience leading Quality Engineers, Inspectors, and cross-functional improvement teams.
- Strong knowledge of AS9100 and aerospace quality systems.
- Expertise in root cause analysis, corrective action, problem-solving methodologies, and continuous improvement.
- Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, customer requirements, and quality clauses.
- Knowledge of AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements and aerospace manufacturing controls.
- Demonstrated success improving quality performance, customer satisfaction, and operational effectiveness.
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to lead Quality across a diverse aerospace operation where your expertise will directly influence business performance, customer success, regulatory compliance, and future growth.
You'll join a team that values leadership, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement while providing the visibility, autonomy, and support needed to make a meaningful impact.
If you're a high-performing Quality Manager ready for the next step, or a Director who still enjoys rolling up your sleeves and leading from the front, we'd love to hear from you.
Why This Role Matters
You will be the steward of product integrity, regulatory compliance, and customer trust. Your leadership will influence every part of the business—from manufacturing and MRO performance to supplier reliability and customer satisfaction. If you’re energized by building strong teams, strengthening systems, and driving measurable improvement, this is a role where your impact will be unmistakable.
Asperion Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace.
Pay: From $175,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you live within a 45 minute drive of the offices?
- This job is onsite 5 days a week, do you agree to this?
- What are you salary expectations?
- How many years of experience in quality leadership do you have?
- How many Quality Inspectors do you currently manage?
Work Location: In person
Join Our Team at Asperion Aerospace
Asperion Aerospace is seeking a detail-oriented Quality Director to help ensure the highest standards of quality and precision in the manufacturing of aerospace components. In this role, you will work closely with Quality Inspectors, production, engineering, and quality teams to inspect complex aircraft structures and components, verify compliance with customer and regulatory requirements, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
If you’re a seasoned Quality leader ready to shape the future of a fast‑growing aerospace organization, this role offers the chance to build, elevate, and lead a world‑class Quality function across manufacturing, repair, overhaul, and FAA‑regulated MRO operations. We’re looking for a hands‑on, strategic leader who thrives in a high‑precision, high‑accountability environment and knows how to drive excellence from the shop floor to the executive level.
We are seeking a Director of Quality to lead and elevate our Quality organization across aerospace manufacturing, machining, sheet metal fabrication, special processes, and FAA-regulated Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) operations. This is a highly visible leadership role that combines strategic influence with hands-on engagement on the production floor.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished Quality Leader ready to broaden their impact and help shape the future of a growing aerospace organization. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will drive quality excellence, regulatory compliance, operational performance, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement throughout the enterprise.
This is more than a compliance role. It is an opportunity to build teams, strengthen systems, reduce cost of poor quality, improve operational performance, and become a trusted business leader.
What You'll Do
As Director of Quality, you will own the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of our Quality Management System while partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Executive Leadership.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Quality Engineers, Inspectors, and Quality professionals.
- Serve as the organization's quality leader for aerospace manufacturing and FAA-regulated MRO operations.
- Maintain and continuously improve our AS9100-certified Quality Management System.
- Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, contractual, and industry requirements.
- Support FAA regulatory compliance, Repair Station requirements, audits, surveillance activities, corrective actions, and return-to-service documentation.
- Lead customer, certification, regulatory, and internal audits while driving sustainable corrective actions.
- Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to improve product quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
- Drive defect prevention, root cause analysis, corrective action processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Establish and monitor key performance metrics including First Pass Yield, supplier quality, customer escapes, COPQ, audit performance, and corrective action effectiveness.
- Oversee supplier quality and special process partners including heat treating, plating, chemical processing, NDT, painting, machining, and other outsourced operations.
- Review customer contracts, drawings, specifications, and flow-down requirements to ensure compliance throughout the organization and supply base.
- Communicate quality risks, compliance concerns, and improvement opportunities directly to executive leadership.
- Foster a culture where quality ownership exists throughout the organization, not solely within the Quality Department.
What Makes This Opportunity Different
Visibility and Impact
You'll have a direct voice with executive leadership and an opportunity to influence business decisions, operational strategy, customer relationships, and organizational growth.
Career Growth
This role is ideal for a strong Quality Manager seeking the next step into senior leadership. You'll own the entire Quality function and help shape the future direction of the organization.
Hands-On Leadership
We're looking for a leader who enjoys being on the shop floor, solving problems, coaching teams, engaging customers, and driving improvements where the work happens.
Diverse Aerospace Environment
You'll support a unique mix of aerospace manufacturing, machining, fabrication, special processing, military aircraft programs, and FAA-regulated MRO operations.
What We're Looking For
Required Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Quality, or a related technical discipline.
- 10+ years of progressive Quality leadership experience within aerospace manufacturing, aviation, defense, or MRO environments.
- Proven experience leading Quality Engineers, Inspectors, and cross-functional improvement teams.
- Strong knowledge of AS9100 and aerospace quality systems.
- Expertise in root cause analysis, corrective action, problem-solving methodologies, and continuous improvement.
- Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, customer requirements, and quality clauses.
- Knowledge of AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements and aerospace manufacturing controls.
- Demonstrated success improving quality performance, customer satisfaction, and operational effectiveness.
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to lead Quality across a diverse aerospace operation where your expertise will directly influence business performance, customer success, regulatory compliance, and future growth.
You'll join a team that values leadership, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement while providing the visibility, autonomy, and support needed to make a meaningful impact.
If you're a high-performing Quality Manager ready for the next step, or a Director who still enjoys rolling up your sleeves and leading from the front, we'd love to hear from you.
Why This Role Matters
You will be the steward of product integrity, regulatory compliance, and customer trust. Your leadership will influence every part of the business—from manufacturing and MRO performance to supplier reliability and customer satisfaction. If you’re energized by building strong teams, strengthening systems, and driving measurable improvement, this is a role where your impact will be unmistakable.
Asperion Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace.
Pay: From $175,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you live within a 45 minute drive of the offices?
- This job is onsite 5 days a week, do you agree to this?
- What are you salary expectations?
- How many years of experience in quality leadership do you have?
- How many Quality Inspectors do you currently manage?
Work Location: In person
See All 199+ Aerospace Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Aerospace JobsAerospace Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Aerospace Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- RIMEPRO11
- Consolidated Precision Products6
- Attalon5
- M4 Engineering5
- Regal Rexnord Corporation5
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Education
- Automotive
- Aerospace & Defense
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in aerospace jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering from an accredited institution
- Active U.S. security clearance or eligibility to obtain one for defense-related positions
- Proficiency in CAD tools such as CATIA, NX, or SolidWorks for design and analysis roles
- Experience with systems engineering processes, requirements management, or model-based systems engineering
- Familiarity with FAA regulations, MIL-SPEC standards, or AS9100 quality management systems
- Strong background in MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for simulation, modeling, and data analysis
Aerospace Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a aerospace in California?
Aerospace roles in California typically require a bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering from an accredited program. California does not issue a state aerospace license, but engineers who sign off on public-safety designs may need a Professional Engineer license through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Defense and government-contractor roles additionally require obtaining a security clearance through the relevant federal agency before starting work.
Which companies hire aerospaces in California?
Employers hiring aerospaces in California right now include RIMEPRO, Consolidated Precision Products, and Attalon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of defense primes, commercial space companies, and satellite manufacturers means openings appear across a wider range of employer types here than in most other states.
Which California cities have the most aerospace jobs?
Torrance, Long Beach, and San Diego have the most aerospace openings in California. Los Angeles and its surrounding areas anchor the market through major defense contractors and space-launch companies headquartered there, while San Diego's naval installations and defense systems firms drive demand in the south, and the Antelope Valley cities of Palmdale and Lancaster support a dense cluster of aircraft manufacturing and flight-test operations.
Are there remote aerospace jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Most aerospace work involves hands-on lab environments, classified facilities, or physical hardware that requires on-site presence. About 13% of aerospace openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in software-heavy specialties such as simulation engineering, data analysis, and mission planning rather than in design, manufacturing, or test roles.
How can I get hired as a aerospace in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a university co-op or internship program before graduating, since employers like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin run structured early-career pipelines at their Southern California campuses that frequently convert to full-time offers. Graduates can also target associate systems engineer, junior stress analyst, or manufacturing engineer roles at Tier-2 defense suppliers throughout the Los Angeles Basin, where competition is less intense than at the primes. Building a portfolio of relevant academic projects and obtaining a security-clearance eligibility determination early gives candidates a meaningful edge.
Where can I find and apply to aerospace jobs in California?
You can find and apply to aerospace jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring right now. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 199+ Aerospace Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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