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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1
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$104K - $173K *

Elevate your career by leading Vision Intelligence initiatives in computer vision, machine learning, and edge AI. Drive technical roadmaps and scalable architectures while translating advanced researc...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $184K *

Pioneer the development and operational convergence through automation, designing CI/CD pipelines and driving release process efficiency to enhance software delivery across diverse teams and projects...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $97K *

Advance your career by managing component life cycles and obsolescence issues. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product integrity and compliance while preparing critical reports and a...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$225K - $265K *

Partner with us to lead a high-performing engineering team, driving innovation and efficiency in our travel marketplace. You'll manage project lifecycles, enhance collaboration, and champion a custome...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $130K *

Drive the design and modification of power plant electrical systems, collaborating with multi-disciplined teams to create detailed diagrams and wiring drawings. Engage in field data gathering and ensu...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $280K *

Shape engaging UI/UX solutions for supply chain intelligence platforms. Lead the development process while collaborating with AI engineers and mentoring junior developers to deliver high-quality, prod...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $139K *

Develop innovative software solutions by leveraging your expertise in modern frameworks and agile practices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance and scalability while...

Pittsburgh, PARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$88K - $154K *

Optimize and integrate the manufacturing process for hazardous materials, taking ownership from design through commissioning. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safety and efficiency i...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$145K - $222K *

Lead and mentor a team in tackling complex electrical engineering projects, ensuring successful delivery and client satisfaction while coordinating multi-discipline efforts in the nuclear power sector...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$106K - $198K *

Deliver full-stack data solutions across the data processing pipeline, leveraging systems engineering principles to enhance data lifecycle management and ensure efficient data access and delivery at s...

Highlands Ranch, CORemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$184K - $356K *

Unlock your potential by developing cutting-edge pipelines for multi-modal content retrieval. Collaborate with experts in Generative AI and enhance user experiences through innovative software solutio...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $155K *

Join a team that's redefining energy solutions by designing innovative fluid and power systems. As a Process Engineer, you'll drive the development and optimization of cutting-edge technologies in a f...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$126K *

Transform the future of aerospace by leveraging your expertise in aerodynamics for spacecraft entry analyses, utilizing advanced CFD tools, and collaborating with a dynamic team to drive innovative so...

Houston, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$142K *

Drive innovation by applying advanced aerodynamics knowledge to spacecraft entry analyses. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance performance across various flight regimes, utilizing cutting-edge...

Houston, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$225K - $265K *

Lead and mentor a diverse team of backend engineers in EDR remediation, transforming insights into actionable product capabilities while managing scope and fostering collaboration across engineering t...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$63K - $129K *

Contribute to system quality by executing test cases, analyzing requirements, and validating functionality to ensure compliance and stability in a fast-paced environment. Collaborate with teams to enh...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$132K - $251K *

Optimize cost modeling and benchmarking for complex assemblies, driving transparency in supplier negotiations across various defense products. Lead should cost assessments and develop models to enhanc...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $210K *

Pioneer your career by leveraging your full-stack development expertise to design and implement innovative software solutions. Collaborate with teams to support critical federal missions through IT mo...

Virginia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$131K - $237K *

Lead the charge in designing and deploying innovative cloud solutions, enhancing user experiences while modernizing the DoD environment through strategic cloud migrations and security best practices...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$118K - $180K *

Join a team that's modernizing nuclear power plants with cutting-edge control technologies. Lead and support diverse projects, ensuring effective execution and client satisfaction while collaborating...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $140K *

Empower the R&D organization by leading technology strategy, engineering execution, and team development across a diverse healthcare software portfolio, ensuring alignment with market needs and operat...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$132K - $238K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and integration of cutting-edge electrical systems for data centers. Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams to ensure high-performance solutions in power distributi...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$85K - $134K *

Advance data hall designs and infrastructure projects, optimizing efficiency and scalability while collaborating with teams to ensure compliance and support project delivery...

Tennessee, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $134K *

Manage moderate-complexity data hall designs and infrastructure projects, driving operational improvements and design optimizations while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient...

Tennessee, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $134K *

Design and optimize medium-complexity data hall infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and support project delivery...

Tennessee, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 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.