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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Showing 5 of 14+ Aircraft Engineer jobs
Examples of safety critical on aircraft projects that you may be focused on are:
- Communications and Networking System - Contribute to the embedded software and design that is the communications backbone of the Joby aircraft
- Motor Inverter - Contribute to the software that operates and manages the electric motors of our Joby aircraft
- Flight Critical Subsystems - All the aircraft’s subsystems are fully designed by Joby. The Joby Embedded Software team is responsible for all the software that makes the aircraft fly. There are opportunities to join various other software projects. Having a strong understanding of system, software, microcontroller, and FPGA designs are all desired
- University degree in computer science, computer engineering, robotics, mechatronics, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or other STEM fields and 7+ years of industry experience. An advanced degree and 5+ yrs of industry experience will also be considered
- Expert knowledge of C++ and object-oriented programming and methodology
- Demonstrated understanding of hardware from an embedded software engineer's perspective
- Experience with modern integrated development environments and debuggers
- Hands-on experience with test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, voltmeters, etc
- Understanding of modern microcontroller and microprocessor architectures such as ARM
- Cortex-M0/M3/M4/A8/A9 and related embedded processors
- Knowledge of object-oriented programming methodology and multi-layered system architectures
- Knowledge of and experience with communication protocols including MDIO, I2C, SPI, UART, etc.
- A positive attitude and a passion for aerospace
- Ability to be onsite in Santa Cruz, CA 4 days a week
- Exposure to the software development process and modern software engineering techniques
- Experience with DO178C process, requirements authoring and verification
- Knowledge of and experience with real-time operating systems
Please still apply if you don’t meet all items in the desired section! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building a diverse and effective workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Examples of safety critical on aircraft projects that you may be focused on are:
- Communications and Networking System - Contribute to the embedded software and design that is the communications backbone of the Joby aircraft
- Motor Inverter - Contribute to the software that operates and manages the electric motors of our Joby aircraft
- Flight Critical Subsystems - All the aircraft’s subsystems are fully designed by Joby. The Joby Embedded Software team is responsible for all the software that makes the aircraft fly. There are opportunities to join various other software projects. Having a strong understanding of system, software, microcontroller, and FPGA designs are all desired
- University degree in computer science, computer engineering, robotics, mechatronics, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or other STEM fields and 7+ years of industry experience. An advanced degree and 5+ yrs of industry experience will also be considered
- Expert knowledge of C++ and object-oriented programming and methodology
- Demonstrated understanding of hardware from an embedded software engineer's perspective
- Experience with modern integrated development environments and debuggers
- Hands-on experience with test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, voltmeters, etc
- Understanding of modern microcontroller and microprocessor architectures such as ARM
- Cortex-M0/M3/M4/A8/A9 and related embedded processors
- Knowledge of object-oriented programming methodology and multi-layered system architectures
- Knowledge of and experience with communication protocols including MDIO, I2C, SPI, UART, etc.
- A positive attitude and a passion for aerospace
- Ability to be onsite in Santa Cruz, CA 4 days a week
- Exposure to the software development process and modern software engineering techniques
- Experience with DO178C process, requirements authoring and verification
- Knowledge of and experience with real-time operating systems
Please still apply if you don’t meet all items in the desired section! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building a diverse and effective workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer
See All 14 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, General Atomics, and TrellisWare Technologies, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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, Poway, and Santa Cruz. 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 August 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 14 Aircraft Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Aircraft Engineer Jobs