Space Systems Engineer Jobs

Explore Space Systems Engineer opportunities with organizations developing spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, and other mission-critical technologies. These roles bring together engineering disciplines to define, integrate, test, and operate complex systems for commercial, civil, and national security missions. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced engineers find opportunities aligned with their skills and career goals.

What Does a Space Systems Engineer Do?

Space Systems Engineers guide a mission or product from early requirements through design, integration, verification, and operations. They translate mission objectives into technical requirements, coordinate interfaces across hardware and software teams, evaluate system-level risks, and help ensure that components work together reliably in demanding environments.

Common Responsibilities and Specialties

Responsibilities vary by employer and program, but may include requirements management, architecture development, trade studies, interface control, modeling and simulation, integration and test planning, verification, and technical coordination. Related specialties include spacecraft systems, satellite communications, avionics, guidance, navigation and control, payloads, launch systems, ground systems, and mission operations.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek a degree in aerospace, electrical, mechanical, systems, or a related engineering field, along with experience on complex technical programs. Useful skills include systems engineering methods, requirements and configuration management, risk analysis, technical documentation, and cross-functional communication. Depending on the role, familiarity with standards, modeling tools, hardware and software integration, or security clearance requirements may also be important.

Space Systems Engineer Salary and Career Outlook

Compensation depends on experience, location, employer, mission area, and the scope of the role. Senior and specialized positions can offer strong earning potential, particularly for engineers with a record of delivering complex programs. Browse Ladders for vetted Space Systems Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more, and compare roles by responsibilities, qualifications, and career opportunity.

Find Space Systems Engineer Jobs on Ladders

Whether your background is in spacecraft design, satellite programs, launch vehicles, or mission integration, Ladders can help you discover high-paying professional opportunities. Review current openings and find a role where your systems expertise can contribute to the next generation of space missions.

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$88K - $154K *

Drive security excellence by managing vulnerabilities, ensuring compliance, and maintaining system integrity. Collaborate with teams to remediate findings and uphold NIST standards in a hands-on techn...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$189K - $290K *

Join a team that's redefining autonomous sensing systems, providing technical leadership in sensor suite design and integration. Collaborate across functions to tackle engineering challenges and drive...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$77K - $118K *

Elevate your drafting career by collaborating in a dynamic team, utilizing advanced CAD tools, and gaining hands-on experience in 3D design. Contribute to innovative projects that shape the future of...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Optimize design processes and lead a team of Design Leads to ensure high-quality project deliverables. Collaborate with project managers to balance resources, enforce design standards, and drive conti...

Dallas, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$118K - $180K *

Lead a team in tackling complex electrical engineering projects, ensuring successful delivery through effective coordination, technical oversight, and client engagement. Drive innovation and mentor te...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$85K - $100K *

Champion innovative solutions as a System Engineer, driving client success through technology implementation and project management. Collaborate with teams to deliver projects on time and enhance clie...

Tampa, FLRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$121K - $218K *

Drive engineering excellence by leading a high-performing team in the design and lifecycle management of complex infrastructure products, ensuring collaboration across disciplines and delivering robus...

Austin, TXRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$120K - $145K *

Transform customer engagement by providing expert pre-sales technical support, leading complex solution development, and delivering impactful presentations to ensure tailored solutions meet client nee...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $165K *

Shape the future of electrical substations by leading design teams, managing projects, and ensuring best practices, while fostering client relationships and promoting safety and compliance in a dynami...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$90K *

Innovate with a dynamic team to develop and maintain applications that integrate engineering systems with campus data, ensuring high-quality data access for operational workflows and enhancing user ex...

Madison, WIRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$85K - $100K *

Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance and maintain the PeopleSoft Campus Solutions SIS, ensuring a robust technological infrastructure that supports student success and institutional goals throug...

Madison, WIRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Advance your career by leading probabilistic risk assessments for human spaceflight programs. Collaborate with engineering teams to evaluate crew risks and support FAA licensing, ensuring safety and r...

Centennial, CORemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$145K - $222K *

Deliver impactful leadership by managing multi-discipline nuclear projects, ensuring alignment across teams, and guiding successful execution from design to closeout while maintaining client relations...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Champion the future of energy by leading technical power system interconnection efforts. Drive complex analysis and team performance to optimize generation and transmission services, shaping strategic...

Austin, TXRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by leading materials management for a Nuclear Development project. Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and vendors to ensure effective planning and execution, driving project s...

Richland, WARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$92K - $166K *

Elevate your career by managing a dynamic engineering team to design electric distribution systems, ensuring high-quality project deliverables while fostering client relationships and team collaborati...

Framingham, MARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $140K *

Lead a dynamic software engineering team, ensuring quality delivery and operational excellence while fostering collaboration across business units and driving innovation in energy efficiency solutions...

Ithaca, NYRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$86K - $165K *

Elevate your career by supporting advanced manufacturing equipment development and integration. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable automation solutions in a dynamic, remote en...

Iowa, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $200K *

Transform backend services and REST APIs in a collaborative environment. Leverage your software engineering skills to support cyber training initiatives, utilizing modern technologies and cloud infras...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock enterprise-wide cyber risk insights by conducting assessments, articulating risks in business terms, and collaborating with compliance to enhance cybersecurity governance and decision-making ac...

Richmond, VARemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$135K - $160K *

Accelerate progress at the intersection of autonomous systems and cloud-native technologies, driving integration and architecture solutions for defense and commercial sectors. Engage with stakeholders...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate incident response capabilities by developing dashboards and alerts, optimizing cloud performance, and ensuring security compliance. Collaborate with product teams to enhance IAM needs while dr...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$112K - $125K *

Unlock potential by managing equipment logistics and support activities across diverse environments, ensuring operational readiness through precise inventory control and effective communication with t...

Williamsburg, VARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $150K *

Lead the charge in enhancing cybersecurity operations by managing incident response, mentoring SOC analysts, and developing processes to effectively identify and mitigate threats in a 24/7 Security Op...

Virginia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $216K *

Join a team that's driving growth initiatives for the US Air Force. You'll develop strategies, manage relationships, and support pipeline development to enhance business opportunities and position the...

Mc Lean, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is a Space Systems Engineer?question toggle

    A Space Systems Engineer coordinates the technical elements of a space mission or product, translating mission goals into requirements and helping teams design, integrate, verify, and operate systems such as spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, and ground systems.

  • What qualifications do Space Systems Engineer jobs typically require?question toggle

    Many roles require a bachelor's degree in aerospace, systems, electrical, mechanical, or a related engineering discipline, plus relevant experience with complex systems. Some positions may prefer an advanced degree or require specialized technical experience or a security clearance.

  • What skills are important for Space Systems Engineers?question toggle

    Commonly valued skills include requirements development, system architecture, interface management, risk analysis, integration and verification, modeling and simulation, technical writing, and the ability to coordinate across engineering disciplines.

  • How much do Space Systems Engineers earn?question toggle

    Pay varies with experience, location, employer, specialty, and program responsibility. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including qualifying Space Systems Engineer opportunities.

  • Where can Space Systems Engineers work?question toggle

    They may work for aerospace and defense contractors, commercial space companies, satellite and communications providers, government agencies, research organizations, or companies building launch, spacecraft, payload, and ground systems.