San Diego is home to aerospace companies developing technologies for aviation, space exploration and national defense. From autonomous aircraft and satellite systems to advanced materials and drone detection technology, these businesses support a wide range of aerospace applications.
The region’s aerospace industry includes major defense contractors, aircraft manufacturers, engineering firms and companies specializing in emerging technologies. Their work spans spacecraft electronics, unmanned aerial systems, aircraft components and the software that supports modern flight operations. Here are some aerospace companies in San Diego and the products and services they provide.
Aerospace Companies in San Diego to Know
Component Control
Shield
Cubic Corporation
Nikkiso America
Northrop Grumman
Planck Aerosystems
Sungear
Boeing
Aerospace Companies in San Diego
Founded: 2014
What they do: Planck Aerosystems is working to enable a world where every vehicle on a mission is drone-enabled and can fulfill crucial needs for organizations in the logistics, inspection and defense sectors while unmanned. The company creates embedded software to enable drone autonomy and mobility, making drones smarter and simpler to operate at sea, on land or in any environment.
Founded: 1916
What they do: When organizations need advanced transportation, they can rely on the innovation of Boeing. As the world’s largest aerospace company, Boeing has developed renowned commercial airplanes and defense systems. Airliners can look forward to the 787-10 Dreamliner while underwater teams can leverage the autonomous capabilities of the Echo Voyager. A global reach enables Boeing to deliver its products and services across the world, bringing the latest technology to more than 150 countries.
Founded: 2015
What they do: Shield is a venture-backed defense tech company. Its products include aircraft, simulation software and autonomous pilot technology. The company is headquartered in Downtown San Diego.
Founded: 2004
What they do: Pacific Aerospace Consulting is a team of professional engineers, operators and technical specialists working together to support organizations and projects in the aerospace, mission systems and cybersecurity industries.The organization offers simulation evaluation courses, program testing, and program and fidelity management to ensure preparedness when operating in real-world environments.
Founded: 2000
What they do: The aerospace industry is rife with challenges that require new solutions, which is why ATA Engineering works alongside in-house engineers at industry-leading companies to develop new tools and meet crucial deadlines. The company offers design, analysis, testing and software services that help to further the development of next-generation launch vehicles, rocket engines, satellites, spacecraft and airframes.
Founded: 1951
What they do: Cubic Corporation, through its Cubic Mission Solutions sector, offers a range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions to defense and homeland security customers. The company is skilled in initial systems design, deployment, flight operations and flight analysis, offering organizations a partner that is capable of mapping large areas in some of the world’s most challenging locations.
Founded: 1939
What they do: Northrop Grumman is a world leader in producing products designed to protect people and further exploration in several environments. The company designs, builds and supports advanced products, including aircrafts, spacecrafts, radar devices, cybersecurity systems and more, allowing the continued development of the aerospace, marine and cybersecurity industries.
Founded: 2015
What they do: SkySafe outfits military, public safety and commercial customers with airspace awareness technology to combat the use of unauthorized drones and protect against threats. The mobile SkySafe MM2 system provides an efficient way to receive drone data displayed on live maps, giving operators the ability to respond to incidents real-time.
Founded: 2014
What they do: Inova Drone develops drone technology for use in mission critical applications, providing new levels of situational awareness and the ability to save lives. The company's main product features a three-axis stabilized payload system, a 1080p HD 30x optical zoom camera and a tap-to-track object tracing system. Combined with powerful software, the aircraft can be powered safely regardless of climate or environment.
Founded: 1982
What they do: Sungear is a world leader in manufacturing gears for use in aerospace vehicles and devices, with products including complex precision gears and sub assemblies that can be procured in large and small quantities. Emerging initially with a focus on R&D rather than manufacturing, Sungear carries that same technical expertise over into manufacturing, often including highly-engineered operational drawings in packages that are archived for future production runs.
Founded: 2002
What they do: Space Micro is focused on the advancement of technology and the implementation of reliable electronics in satellites and related devices. Lasercom, RF, digital and attitude determination products are all engineered and manufactured by Space Micro, leading to faster communication and less failure amongst critical orbital devices
Founded: 2006
What they do: Nikkiso America is a first-tier supplier for major commercial aircraft manufacturers. Priding itself on cost-effective manufacturing, advanced technical capabilities and aerospace-industry approved quality control systems, Nikkiso America produces widely used aerostructures while also maintaining medical and industrial divisions of the company.
Founded: 1986
What they do: Component Control offers robust aviation logistics software that allows companies to have a full overview of every item that plays a role in taking to the skies. For small-parts traders and large-sized service facilities alike, Component Control’s scalable platform integrates with popular marketplaces and features functions for managing inventory, orders, vendor quotes, invoices, hanger operations, manufacturing and more.
Founded: 2013
What they do: Blueshift Materials produces advanced materials designed with precision to revolutionize capabilities in the aerospace, automotive, electronics and RF component industries. The company specializes in creating polymer aerogels for a range of applications that are created to withstand high temperatures and offer top-quality strength and flexibility.
