Aircraft Engineer Jobs in California
Aircraft Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense systems, commercial aviation, and aerospace manufacturing across a seniority range from entry-level technicians through senior design engineers. The largest hiring hubs are Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Antelope Valley, home to longtime employers such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing. The most consistent demand falls in structures and systems design, avionics integration, and propulsion engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking a Staff Engineer to help design, develop, and integrate a safety critical Run-Time Assurance (RTA) product. The Hivemind Foundations team is responsible for a suite of core products and capabilities that brings resilient autonomy and intelligence to aircraft and other platforms operating in complex environments. The RTA product that the Foundations team develops is a real-time safety capability that helps keep autonomy safe, predictable, and effective at the edge.
As a senior member of the Hivemind Foundations team, you will lead applied trajectory prediction and aircraft-response modeling for the RTA. You will work at the boundary between safety logic, vehicle state, and autopilot or flight-control APIs, turning aircraft performance data, command-response assumptions, and test evidence into predictive models that guide safe recovery behavior. You will evolve Trajectory Prediction Algorithm (TPA) models, validate them with Python, simulation, HIL, and flight-test data, and partner with C/C++ engineers to deliver reliable software that can fly, including support for X-BAT, Shield AI's flagship Group 5 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) UAV.
What you'll do:
- Lead development, tuning, and validation of TPA and recovery-behavior models using aircraft performance data, command-response assumptions, 3DOF/6DOF flyout concepts, wind effects, uncertainty bounds, and maneuver constraints.
- Build Python-based analysis, simulation, HIL, and flight-test workflows to compare predicted versus observed aircraft behavior, identify model gaps, tune parameters, and maintain regression datasets.
- Integrate and evaluate trajectory-prediction behavior through off-the-shelf or custom autopilot interfaces, including command modes, vehicle-state inputs, latency, mode transitions, control limits, and telemetry analysis.
- Support hardware integration and flight-test campaigns across relevant platforms; also help evolve trajectory-prediction and safety behaviors from single-aircraft use cases toward multi-agent collaborative CONOPS. Produce algorithm handoff artifacts and contribute scoped C/C++ implementation, testing, and debugging as needed.
Required qualifications:
- Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years with a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
- Deep experience in trajectory prediction, aircraft-response modeling, aerospace simulation, robotics, applied autonomy, or GNC-adjacent domains, including 3DOF and/or 6DOF aircraft modeling concepts.
- Expert-level Python skills for algorithm development, numerical analysis, data processing, plotting, tuning workflows, and test automation.
- Working proficiency in C or C++, with the ability to read production code, debug algorithm behavior, write tests, make scoped implementation changes, and guide software engineers through algorithm intent.
- Demonstrated experience interfacing guidance, trajectory, or safety-critical algorithms with off-the-shelf or custom autopilots and validating behavior through simulation, HIL, flight hardware, or flight-test data.
- Ability to document model assumptions, handoff artifacts, and validation evidence while leading technical coordination across algorithms, software, systems, test, and platform teams.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience tuning trajectory prediction, flyout, or vehicle-response models from simulation, HIL, or flight-test telemetry.
- Experience implementing or porting algorithms from Python, MATLAB/Simulink, or prototype models into C or C++ production software.
- Experience with Monte Carlo testing, scenario-based regression, validation metrics, envelope expansion, test-card planning, or flight-test safety reviews.
- Familiarity with high-reliability or safety-critical development practices, such as static analysis, coding standards, traceability, requirements-based testing, and verification evidence.
- Experience with CMake, Conan, Linux, CI/CD, embedded software workflows, or production software integration.
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking a Staff Engineer to help design, develop, and integrate a safety critical Run-Time Assurance (RTA) product. The Hivemind Foundations team is responsible for a suite of core products and capabilities that brings resilient autonomy and intelligence to aircraft and other platforms operating in complex environments. The RTA product that the Foundations team develops is a real-time safety capability that helps keep autonomy safe, predictable, and effective at the edge.
As a senior member of the Hivemind Foundations team, you will lead applied trajectory prediction and aircraft-response modeling for the RTA. You will work at the boundary between safety logic, vehicle state, and autopilot or flight-control APIs, turning aircraft performance data, command-response assumptions, and test evidence into predictive models that guide safe recovery behavior. You will evolve Trajectory Prediction Algorithm (TPA) models, validate them with Python, simulation, HIL, and flight-test data, and partner with C/C++ engineers to deliver reliable software that can fly, including support for X-BAT, Shield AI's flagship Group 5 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) UAV.
What you'll do:
- Lead development, tuning, and validation of TPA and recovery-behavior models using aircraft performance data, command-response assumptions, 3DOF/6DOF flyout concepts, wind effects, uncertainty bounds, and maneuver constraints.
- Build Python-based analysis, simulation, HIL, and flight-test workflows to compare predicted versus observed aircraft behavior, identify model gaps, tune parameters, and maintain regression datasets.
- Integrate and evaluate trajectory-prediction behavior through off-the-shelf or custom autopilot interfaces, including command modes, vehicle-state inputs, latency, mode transitions, control limits, and telemetry analysis.
- Support hardware integration and flight-test campaigns across relevant platforms; also help evolve trajectory-prediction and safety behaviors from single-aircraft use cases toward multi-agent collaborative CONOPS. Produce algorithm handoff artifacts and contribute scoped C/C++ implementation, testing, and debugging as needed.
Required qualifications:
- Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years with a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
- Deep experience in trajectory prediction, aircraft-response modeling, aerospace simulation, robotics, applied autonomy, or GNC-adjacent domains, including 3DOF and/or 6DOF aircraft modeling concepts.
- Expert-level Python skills for algorithm development, numerical analysis, data processing, plotting, tuning workflows, and test automation.
- Working proficiency in C or C++, with the ability to read production code, debug algorithm behavior, write tests, make scoped implementation changes, and guide software engineers through algorithm intent.
- Demonstrated experience interfacing guidance, trajectory, or safety-critical algorithms with off-the-shelf or custom autopilots and validating behavior through simulation, HIL, flight hardware, or flight-test data.
- Ability to document model assumptions, handoff artifacts, and validation evidence while leading technical coordination across algorithms, software, systems, test, and platform teams.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience tuning trajectory prediction, flyout, or vehicle-response models from simulation, HIL, or flight-test telemetry.
- Experience implementing or porting algorithms from Python, MATLAB/Simulink, or prototype models into C or C++ production software.
- Experience with Monte Carlo testing, scenario-based regression, validation metrics, envelope expansion, test-card planning, or flight-test safety reviews.
- Familiarity with high-reliability or safety-critical development practices, such as static analysis, coding standards, traceability, requirements-based testing, and verification evidence.
- Experience with CMake, Conan, Linux, CI/CD, embedded software workflows, or production software integration.
Full-time regular employee offer package:
See All 22 Aircraft Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Aircraft Engineer JobsAircraft Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Aircraft Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in aircraft engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or aeronautical engineering from an accredited program
- FAA Designated Engineering Representative credentials or eligibility preferred for design roles
- Experience with aircraft structural analysis tools such as NASTRAN or CATIA
- Familiarity with FAA airworthiness regulations and Part 25 or Part 23 certification processes
- Active or eligible DoD security clearance for defense and military aircraft programs
- Strong background in systems integration, avionics, or propulsion for California defense contractors
Aircraft Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an aircraft engineer in California?
Most aircraft engineer roles in California require a bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or aeronautical engineering from an ABET-accredited program. California does not require a state-issued license specific to aircraft engineering, though a Professional Engineer license through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists strengthens candidacy for senior roles. Many employers also expect FAA or DoD program familiarity before hiring.
How much do aircraft engineers make in California?
Aircraft engineers in California earn a median of about $157,620 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $104,370 for the lowest 10% to over $220,670 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire aircraft engineers in California?
Employers hiring aircraft engineers in California right now include Joby Aviation, Northrop Grumman, and TrellisWare Technologies, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of defense primes and commercial MRO operators means hiring tends to be steady and spread across both large contractors and specialized engineering firms throughout the Los Angeles Basin and San Diego region.
Which California cities have the most aircraft engineer jobs?
The California cities with the most aircraft engineer openings are San Diego, Santa Cruz, and Poway. Los Angeles anchors the list because of the dense cluster of defense contractors and aerospace manufacturers in the region, while San Diego's naval aviation programs and Palmdale's classified defense facilities in the Antelope Valley drive hiring in those areas even though they are smaller markets overall.
Are there remote aircraft engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Aircraft engineering is largely a hands-on discipline tied to physical hardware, test facilities, and classified programs, so most California roles require on-site presence. About 0% of aircraft engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions are almost exclusively in systems analysis, technical documentation, or program management rather than design or manufacturing.
How can I get hired as an aircraft engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or co-op with a California defense contractor or aerospace manufacturer while still completing an engineering degree. Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing all run structured new-graduate programs at their Southern California facilities. Lateral entry from mechanical or electrical engineering roles is common, and obtaining an FAA student pilot certificate or building a portfolio through university design competitions like AIAA can give a candidate a clear edge in early interviews.
Where can I find and apply to aircraft engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to aircraft engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across defense, commercial aviation, and aerospace manufacturing. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the employer through the listing.
See All 22 Aircraft Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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