Staff Aerospace Engineer — Performance and Design

Job overview

The Staff Aerospace Engineer — Performance and Design role is fully onsite in San Luis Obispo, CA. The hiring range is $130,000–$175,000 per year. The position supports Empirical Systems Aerospace’s aircraft design and control-systems product development. The engineer leads technical work in aircraft performance and conceptual design, using analysis, simulation, optimization, and custom software tools to inform design decisions. The role also contributes to technical strategy, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing across project teams.

What you'll do

• Conduct aircraft conceptual design and sizing studies
• analyze aerodynamics, propulsion, and flight performance
• set up and run vehicle and component optimizations
• perform analysis, simulation, and engineering trade studies
• research technologies, methods, standards, and regulations
• develop, test, and implement software-based design tools
• lead technical work
• drive continuous improvement
• share knowledge and document and train
• communicate results
• and collaborate to meet project goals. Requires a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or equivalent, 9+ years of relevant engineering experience, and proficiency with MATLAB and/or Python.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

staff aerospace engineer

performance and design

empirical systems aerospace

san luis obispo ca

$130k–$175k

onsite

aircraft design

flight performance

aerodynamics

propulsion

matlab

python

optimization

engineering trade studies

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Health, dental, and vision plans, including an employer-paid option for employees and families
• 120 hours of PTO and holiday break pay
• employer-paid life insurance
• optional supplemental coverage
• HSA
• 401(k) match
• nine paid holidays
• and complimentary snacks.

Why this role

The posting requires U.S. citizenship or U.S. resident status and states that the position is fully onsite.

About the employer

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. is hiring for this role. Industry: Engineering Services. Sector: 54.