Aerospace Jobs in Seattle: How to Find Them and Get the Offer

The aerospace industry has a long history in Seattle, dating back more than a century. Even after all these years, Washington State remains a leading force in the aerospace sector. Over 1,400 aerospace and aerospace-related companies are based in Washington State, with many of these companies advertising for new staff throughout the year.

In 2018, the Seattle Times reported that aerospace recruitment was heating up because of an increase in the defense budget. The rise in the defense budget led to record levels of aircraft orders and new program launches.

Another reason that the aerospace industry stays strong is the fact it keeps evolving. A new wave of companies known for innovation, such as SpaceX, have a base in Washington.

So, what does it take to get a job in the Seattle aerospace industry? This article will walk you through the qualifications needed, give you an idea of the salaries you can expect, and detail some of the companies that are regularly recruiting.

How do you know if a job in the aerospace industry will suit you? If you have a strong interest in the following, a career in aerospace could be an ideal fit:

• Math
• Science
• Building and creating things
• Solving problems

Here are some qualifications or paths forward to an aerospace career:

• A bachelor’s degree in aerospace or a related field. Engineering and scientist roles take up to seven years to qualify for. Four years of college is the minimum requirement.
• College or university graduate programs. These take two years, while doctorates take an extra two to four years to achieve.
• Entry-level positions like engineering, mathematicians, and physical or life scientists also need a bachelor’s degree.
• Engineering technicians usually study for a two-year Associate of Science degree.

Suitable bachelor’s degrees include:

• Aerospace
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Mechanical engineering

You might also consider:

• A Technology Management MBA from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.
• The Washington Aerospace Training & Research Center. The center offers certifications and interview training for the aerospace industry.

The Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation is another useful site. It details six public universities in Washington providing degrees suitable for the aerospace industry.

Pay is variable in the aerospace industry. It depends on the role you take and the experience you have. The average salary of an aerospace engineer in America is $74,470, according to Salary.com.

Pay may also vary depending on:

• The company you work for. For example, Boeing pays an average of $91,272 for engineering roles.
• The country you live in.
• The state you live in. Some job titles pay more in Seattle, Washington.
• Your education and certifications.
• Experience.
• Additional skills.

Detailed below are some typical earnings:

• A&P Mechanic: $55,500
• A&P Senior Mechanic: $63,900
• Aeronautical Engineer I: $74,490
• Aerospace Engineer I: $74,470
• Aircraft parts painter: $41,897
• Aircraft structures mechanic: $52,870

Working in the aerospace industry offers you a huge variety of choices when it comes to jobs. From engineering work to mechanics, there are several career paths you could take. Detailed below are just some possibilities.

In this job, you would design, develop, and test fighter simulation environments. The job may also involve work on target detection, tracking systems, and collision avoidance systems.

Lockheed Martin says these types of jobs suit people with analytic minds.

Aircraft mechanics have an important role in making sure military aircraft are ready for flying. A position like this may involve working around the world from various military bases. It also offers variety, involving many subsystems to work from.

This role involves working with advanced technologies. Tasks include working on national defense programs to develop and test radio frequency systems.

For this job, you would work on radar systems to detect and eliminate threats. Lockheed Martin suggests these jobs are suitable if you have a background in radar modeling and simulation.

Other roles include:

• Flight technicians
• Physical scientists
• Admin roles
• Security
• IT jobs
• Procurement
• Health and safety

The list of aerospace companies in Washington State is too extensive to detail in full, so here, we’ve detailed a few of the best-known companies.

The Boeing Company has been based in Washington state since 1916. Since then, it has grown to be the world’s largest aerospace company. It’s the biggest private employer in Washington and serves the space, defense, and commercial sectors.

You’ll find plenty of employment opportunities at Boeing, including engineering and analyst positions.

There are opportunities in the following niches:

• Manufacturing
• Cybersecurity
• Business
• IT
• Data science and analytics
• Engineering

Potential ways to gain employment at Boeing include Boeing’s student programs, which offer entry-level positions and internships. Boeing also offers 1,200 scholarships.

Lockheed offers positions in more than 50 career areas, with programs aimed at college students and ex-military.

Lockheed Martin also offers:

• Internships
• Co-ops
• On-site hiring
• Campus events

Job hunters may also find Lockheed Martin’s Engineering Connect online community useful. The community is for entry-level and experienced engineers, college students, and interns. It offers engineering insights, career advice, and networking opportunities.

Lockheed Martin is also keen to encourage ex-military personnel to apply. The company encourages this through events and assisting with a career transition.

You may have heard about some of SpaceX’s achievements in the news. SpaceX is an innovator in the new wave of aerospace companies. So far, SpaceX has taken part in over 100 missions, including government missions and commercial satellite launches.

You may also be familiar with SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which has taken part in several resupply missions to the space station.

The style of the interview will vary depending on the company. Sometimes, it may be just one person, but on other occasions, you may have to face an interview panel. Some companies may also expect you to take part in an assessment that tests your various abilities.

Interview questions are likely to focus on your hard skills (education, background, experience, training) and your soft or interpersonal skills.

The interviewer or team will likely expect you to understand the company and what it does. You can start by getting the basic information from the website and press releases for the latest updates. But if you want to delve deeper to impress a potential employer, then you can also look at:

• Business outlines.
• Earnings call transcripts.
• Any white papers the companies may have published.
• Product brochures.

You should find it easy to talk about your hard skills. These questions will usually focus on your technical skills and work experience. However, it’s also wise to read up about industry regulations and industry-specific questions.

Soft skills focus on creativity, leadership, communication skills, and other personality traits. These all help the employer see how you would work as a team player.

The Royal Aeronautical Society has published an interview matrix to help you prepare for an interview. You can download a copy here.

A job in aerospace is rewarding and gives you an opportunity to explore your passions while putting your skills to the test. Depending on the job you take, you could play a part in America’s defense system or travel the world visiting various airbases to carry out important maintenance work.

If you are considering a job in aerospace, now may be a good time. America’s defense budget continues to rise, and companies like SpaceX are creating a new, exciting generation of aerospace innovations. Use our personalized search tool to find the perfect position for you.