Explore Satellite Systems Engineer opportunities for experienced professionals ready to design, integrate, and support the systems that enable satellite communications, navigation, Earth observation, and space missions. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, helping you discover roles that match your technical expertise and career goals.
Satellite Systems Engineers work across the lifecycle of complex space systems, translating mission needs into technical requirements and coordinating the hardware, software, communications, power, thermal, and control subsystems needed to meet them. Depending on the role, responsibilities may include architecture development, modeling and simulation, requirements management, interface coordination, integration and verification, and on-orbit performance analysis.
Employers commonly seek experience with systems engineering principles, requirements and configuration management, technical documentation, and system integration and test. Familiarity with spacecraft or satellite communications, RF systems, orbital mechanics, mission operations, reliability engineering, and tools for modeling or analysis may also be valuable. Many positions prefer a degree in aerospace, electrical, computer, mechanical, or systems engineering, along with relevant industry experience; requirements vary by employer and mission.
Satellite Systems Engineers may work for aerospace and defense companies, satellite operators, technology firms, government contractors, or organizations developing commercial and scientific missions. Career paths can lead to senior systems engineering, subsystem leadership, mission architecture, program technical leadership, or engineering management. Explore current listings to find opportunities aligned with your experience, location preferences, and professional ambitions.
Use Ladders to search vetted professional openings with salaries of $100,000 or more. Review each listing for its responsibilities, qualifications, compensation details, and work arrangement, then focus your search on roles that fit your background in satellite and space systems.
Advanced Systems Engineer | MDA SE&I Responsible Engineer
$118K - $131K *
Lead the charge in systems engineering, driving innovative solutions for missile defense applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement complex systems, ensuring perfor...
1 week ago
Avionics Engineer - Systems Integrator
$110K - $130K *
Champion innovative avionics solutions, driving system design, integration, and testing for advanced aerospace systems in space applications, ensuring reliability and performance across multidisciplin...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovative GNSS solutions by conducting in-depth analyses and live-sky tests. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance satellite navigation systems, ensuring reliable performance across divers...
2 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a dynamic team to execute systems engineering and testing for PNT systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and reliability for U.S. Space Force programs in a fast...
Today
Radio Frequency Engineer Asc - E1
$67K - $124K *
Unlock your potential as you design and develop advanced RF systems, ensuring seamless integration and performance verification. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation in high-fre...
1 week ago
Radio Frequency Engineer Asc - E1
$67K - $124K *
Join a team that's pioneering RF system design and integration. Support critical CNI system verification and supplier management while developing innovative solutions in a fast-paced environment. Your...
1 week ago
Principal / Senior Principal Navigation Systems Engineer
$114K - $171K *
Engage in the design and implementation of model-based navigation software, collaborating with experts to enhance advanced navigation technologies. Drive innovation and contribute to national defense...
1 week ago
$110K - $200K *
Pioneer innovative electrical solutions by designing, integrating, and validating systems for cutting-edge products, working with a multi-disciplinary team to achieve high-performance results in a dyn...
3 weeks ago
$79K - $147K *
Manage real-time spacecraft operations, ensuring mission success through detailed planning, performance analysis, and technical direction. Collaborate with teams to address vehicle malfunctions and op...
2 weeks ago
$79K - $147K *
Tackle mission-critical satellite operations, leading teams in real-time monitoring, command execution, and troubleshooting. Collaborate with experts to ensure mission success while enhancing your ski...
2 weeks ago
Program Chief Engineer (Technical Lead)
$130K - $200K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative digital designs and architectures. Oversee a design team through all phases of hardware delivery, ensuring technical excellence and collaboration across discip...
1 week ago
Manager Systems Engineering 2 - Targeting Integration & Test
$153K - $230K *
Empower a team of SEIT engineers, balancing management duties with program support. Drive technical excellence and innovation in systems engineering practices, ensuring adherence to quality standards...
Reposted 1 week ago
$79K - $118K *
Champion innovative solutions as a Systems Engineer, driving technical excellence and collaboration in mission-critical projects. Lead teams in systems engineering practices, ensuring quality and comp...
Today
Ground System Concept Engineer/Senior Ground System Concept Engineer
$117K - $226K *
Drive innovative spacecraft and ground system designs, collaborating across disciplines to meet mission needs for national space initiatives. Engage in architecture studies, define system capabilities...
Today
Principal Engineer/ Sr. Principal Engineer Systems
$98K - $184K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on systems engineering for multi-domain command and control. Drive technical execution, manage project costs, and collaborate across teams to achi...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineer (Communication Systems)
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in advancing Air Traffic Control Communication Systems through expert engineering and testing. Collaborate on operational test cases, ensuring system suitability and performance for cr...
2 days ago
Avionics Manufacturing Engineer (All Levels)
$140K - $230K *
Transform the manufacturing of high-reliability avionics hardware by leading process optimization, collaborating across teams, and driving continuous improvement. Engage in new product introductions a...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in project engineering for cutting-edge satellite development, managing budgets, schedules, and cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution from concept to production...
5 days ago
Lead Systems Engineer-Terestrial Quantum Gravity Gradiometer (QGG)
$153K - $200K *
Lead a dynamic team in the technical execution of innovative gravity sensing solutions. Drive system design, mentor engineers, and ensure alignment with mission objectives while fostering a high-perfo...
2 weeks ago
$96K - $150K *
Elevate your career as a Senior Engineer on the Generative AI Engineering team, focusing on automating and scaling AI infrastructure to enhance model orchestration and streamline operations, driving i...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineering Manager - SATCOM
$135K - $216K *
Lead the charge in managing a software engineering team, driving the design and delivery of secure satellite ground communication services while fostering best practices and ensuring alignment with mi...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineering Manager - SATCOM
$146K - $234K *
Take ownership of a dynamic team, driving software development and engineering excellence while managing performance and fostering growth in a secure, mission-critical environment...
2 weeks ago
Assembly Integration & Test Engineer, Satellites
$112K - $230K *
Join us to build and streamline satellite integration and testing processes. Lead campaigns, define testing philosophy, and drive process improvements, ensuring flightworthiness from development to pr...
4 weeks ago
Senior Avionics Electrical Engineer
$140K - $180K *
Unlock the future of space technology by designing innovative avionics systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop circuit boards and ensure mission success through rigorous testing an...
4 weeks ago
Principal Systems Engineer, Product Owner - AN/TPY-2 Team SIM2
$118K - $224K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in radar simulation tools, leading Agile practices and ensuring technical excellence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance missile defense systems a...
Reposted 5 days ago
What does a Satellite Systems Engineer do?
A Satellite Systems Engineer defines and coordinates the technical requirements and subsystems of a satellite or space mission. Typical work may include system architecture, requirements management, integration and testing, performance analysis, and collaboration across engineering teams.
What qualifications are commonly required for Satellite Systems Engineer jobs?
Many employers look for a degree in aerospace, electrical, computer, mechanical, or systems engineering and experience with systems engineering, integration, verification, and technical requirements. Specific qualifications depend on the mission, employer, and seniority of the role.
Which skills are useful for Satellite Systems Engineers?
Useful skills can include requirements management, system-level design, modeling and simulation, integration and test, technical communication, and cross-functional coordination. Knowledge of satellite communications, RF systems, orbital mechanics, or mission operations may be relevant for some positions.
Where do Satellite Systems Engineers work?
They may work for aerospace and defense companies, satellite manufacturers and operators, technology firms, government contractors, and organizations developing commercial, government, or scientific space missions.
How can I find Satellite Systems Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?
Search Ladders for Satellite Systems Engineer openings and review listings for compensation, qualifications, responsibilities, and work arrangements. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs that pay $100,000 or more.