The dynamic aerospace engineering industry in California is home to some of the most innovative and respected companies in this sector. From cutting-edge spacecraft designs to advanced propulsion systems, these firms are at the forefront of advancements in aerospace technology. They offer a broad range of specialized services, products, and capabilities that set them apart. The industry's trajectory shows a sustained interest in commercial, defense, and exploration projects, pointing towards a future of continued growth and technological breakthroughs.


Top 20 aerospace engineering companies in California

1. SpaceX

  • Website: spacex.com
  • Headquarters: Hawthorne, California, United States
  • Founded: 2002
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Private Equity
  • LinkedIn

SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company. It offers advanced rockets and spacecrafts for various missions.


2. Arrowhead Products

Arrowhead Products is a market leader in aerospace ducting systems and rocket propulsion lines. With decades of experience, they specialize in high pressure metallic ducting systems and components. Their state-of-the-art repair and overhaul facility provides extensive capabilities and reduced turnaround time. They offer creative engineering solutions and unmatched product quality for commercial aviation, defense, and space products.


3. Scaled Composites, LLC

  • Website: scaled.com
  • Headquarters: Mojave, California, United States
  • Founded: 1982
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Scaled Composites is an aerospace company focused on designing, building, and testing innovative and breakthrough aircraft and systems. They are driven by challenges and continuously push the limits to make their designs a reality.


4. Marvin Engineering Company

The Marvin Group is a global leader in aerospace & defense solutions. With decades of manufacturing and design experience, they offer solutions for air & space, land, and maritime applications. They deliver confidence and security internationally and provide high performance/high reliability aerospace test and measurement solutions.


5. Applied Composites

  • Website: appliedcomposites.com
  • Headquarters: Lake Forest, California, United States
  • Founded: 1982
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Applied Composites is a leading provider of complex composite components, assemblies, engineering, and tooling to the aerospace, defense, and space systems markets. They offer comprehensive health plans, employee events, and a generous employee referral program. They value diversity and inclusion and provide opportunities for growth and development.


6. Aluminum Precision Products

Aluminum Precision Products (APP) is a non-union ESOP corporation specializing in precision forging of aluminum and titanium. With over 50 years of experience, APP is renowned for its high-quality parts and solutions for the aerospace, defense, and automobile industries. We offer a comprehensive range of services including engineering, tooling, machining, and assembly, backed by our commitment to lean manufacturing and continuous process improvement.


7. II-VI Aerospace & Defense

  • Website: iiviad.com
  • Headquarters: Murrieta, California, United States
  • Founded: 1961
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

II-VIAD is a company specializing in the aerospace and defense industry. They offer innovative solutions and products for critical and complex design, engineering, and production requirements. Their areas of expertise include optical and mechanical design, manufacturing, assembly and testing, bonding and thin film coating, and fiber array technology. They are committed to integrity, excellence, teamwork, customer service, and creativity.


8. Senior Aerospace Ketema

  • Website: saketema.com
  • Headquarters: El Cajon, California, United States
  • Founded: 1953
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Senior Aerospace Ketema is a leading provider of components and precision integrated manufacturing for aircraft, turbine engines, and various applications in space, marine, and ground-based industries.


9. Crissair Inc

  • Website: crissair.com
  • Headquarters: Valencia, California, United States
  • Founded: 1954
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Crissair, Inc. is a manufacturer of precision components for the aerospace industry. With over 65 years of experience, they specialize in designing, developing, and manufacturing high-quality hydraulic, fuel, and pneumatic system components. Their state-of-the-art facility in Valencia, CA is AS9100C and ISO 9001 certified, ensuring uncompromising quality in every process. Crissair's commitment to customer satisfaction and industry expertise has made them a trusted partner for major airframe manufacturers and subcontractors worldwide.


10. ITT Aerospace Controls

ITT Aerospace Controls offers a diversified portfolio of products and services for global aerospace markets. With a focus on design, development, and manufacturing, we provide top-of-the-line actuators, fluid control devices, noise abatement, conveyance, and heaters for the aerospace industry. Our innovative approach and cutting-edge products set us apart as leaders in global aerospace technology markets.


11. ASC Process Systems

  • Website: aschome.com
  • Headquarters: Valencia, California, United States
  • Founded: 1988
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

ASC Process Systems is a global supplier and manufacturer of autoclaves and control systems for the aerospace composites industry. With over 30 years of experience, ASC is recognized as the industry leader in autoclave technology, offering high-quality products and services to its customers worldwide.


12. Allfast Fastening Systems

  • Website: trsaero.com
  • Headquarters: City Of Industry, California, United States
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

TriMas Aerospace is a leading designer and manufacturer of aerospace specialty products. Composed of five businesses with over 230 years of experience, including Allfast Fastening Systems®, Monogram Aerospace Fasteners®, Mac Fasteners™, Martinic Engineering™, and RSA Engineered Products, they provide industry-leading products and services to the aerospace industry.


13. Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero)

  • Website: esaero.com
  • Headquarters: San Luis Obispo, California, United States
  • Founded: 2003
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

ESAero is an aerospace corporation that designs and manufactures innovative electric and hybrid aircraft. They offer a full-service aerospace engineering firm that includes aircraft design, manufacturing, integration, and testing.


14. Otto Instrument and Avionics

OTTO Instrument Service, Inc. is a provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for military and commercial aircraft applications. They offer ISO9001 and AS9100 quality system certified manufacturing capability, custom part manufacturing, tooling and test equipment building, FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) support, FAA-PMA manufacturing support, and engineering support. They are also an authorized distributor/dealer for various Original Equipment Manufacturers. Contact them for more information or a quote.


15. ASTECH Engineered Products, Inc.

ASTECH ENGINEERED PRODUCTS is a premier supplier of welded honeycomb metallic aerostructures to the global aerospace and defense industry. They design and manufacture innovative products for commercial and military aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles. With a strong track record of helping customers achieve their goals, ASTECH is committed to creating value and competitive advantage.


16. Hercules Partners

Hercules Partners is a global Supplier Performance Management organization offering strategy, operations consulting, and technical services to the Aerospace and Defense Industry, helping companies managing complex programs, optimizing operations, and improving cost performance.


17. Ducommun Incorporated

  • Website: ducommun.com
  • Headquarters: Santa Ana, California, United States
  • Founded: 1849
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Ipo
  • LinkedIn

Ducommun Incorporated is a company that specializes in engineered products and RF products. They offer a wide range of millimeterwave antennas, amplifiers, control devices, transceivers, frequency converters, oscillators, passive components, and subsystems. Their operations include manufacturing and selling these products, as well as providing technical support and customer services.


18. Certified Aviation Services

Certified Aviation Services, LLC (CAS) is an independent provider of MRO services for fleet operators, lessors, OEMs and Adjusters globally. CAS conducts line maintenance, modifications, installations, component overhaul, as well as heavy recovery and repairs.


19. HiRel Connectors, Inc.

  • Website: hirelco.net
  • Headquarters: Claremont, California, United States
  • Founded: 1967
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

HiRel Connectors is a company that has been manufacturing reliable interconnect systems for over 50 years. They utilize the knowledge of experienced engineers and innovative individuals to push the standards of electrical interconnect systems in various industries.


20. AdelWiggins Group

  • Website: adelwiggins.com
  • Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Founded: 1923
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

AdelWiggins is a company known for its quality and reliability in providing highly engineered specialized products.


Want to find more aerospace engineering companies?


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...and a lot more!