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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$160K - $230K *
Transform mission-critical applications by collaborating with AI engineers to enhance performance, scalability, and security. Drive technical excellence and mentor peers while navigating dynamic feder...
1 week ago
Senior Manager, Cloud Engineering Governance - FedRAMP
$130K - $160K *
Lead governance initiatives in a multi-cloud environment, managing a team to secure and optimize cloud operations. Oversee compliance, develop policies, and optimize costs while ensuring alignment wit...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$80K - $120K *
Tackle cloud engineering challenges by designing, building, and securing cloud infrastructure for U.S. Government clients. Collaborate with a senior team to deliver compliant solutions across AWS and...
Yesterday
Structural Engineer II - Remote
$80K - $95K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team as you develop structural solutions, collaborate on multidisciplinary projects, and ensure quality and budget adherence in a fast-paced environment. Bring your exp...
5 days ago
$130K - $150K *
Join a team that's redefining Virtual Desktop Infrastructure by engineering, deploying, and maintaining cutting-edge VDI systems. Collaborate on innovative solutions to enhance security, performance...
Yesterday
Senior Reliability Engineer - Veza
$114K - $195K *
Transform infrastructure reliability by leading innovative projects, architecting scalable solutions, and collaborating cross-functionally. Drive technical excellence and mentor teams while ensuring o...
Yesterday
Manager Business Systems and Transformation
$107K - $204K *
Transform business systems by leading digital initiatives in Finance and Reporting. Collaborate across teams to enhance OneStream reporting, ensuring technical excellence and effective communication f...
Yesterday
Solutions Engineer - Cloud & DevOps
$90K - $145K *
Unlock your potential by designing CI/CD pipelines and automating processes. Collaborate with teams to enhance development efficiency while ensuring system compliance and security across AWS and Azure...
1 week ago
Sr. Operations Specialist - Launch Team
$125K - $170K *
Drive your career with a pivotal role managing customer readiness for dock programs. Oversee project timelines, build relationships, and ensure successful deployments while collaborating with various...
3 weeks ago
Principal Site Reliability Engineer - ARINCDirect (Remote)
$107K - $204K *
Join a dynamic team in a remote role to enhance infrastructure reliability and automate processes, ensuring top-notch performance and scalability for mission-critical applications in a collaborative e...
Reposted 5 days ago
Staff Site Reliability Engineer
$200K - $285K *
Join a team that's pivotal in ensuring our cloud infrastructure is reliable and scalable. You will build, operate, and enhance production systems using Kubernetes, AWS, and automation, making an impac...
Reposted 1 week ago
Lead Mechanical Commissioning Specialist 2 - Construction Management
$134K - $205K *
Drive the commissioning process for power plants, ensuring peak performance and safety. Lead on-site activities, collaborate with teams, and implement protocols for mechanical equipment testing and op...
1 week ago
Senior AI Solution Engineer with Terraform
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that designs and deploys lab environments for Cloud Security Posture Management using advanced OpenStack expertise. Contribute to testing and validating API-based security tools in multi-t...
4 weeks ago
Senior Business Applications Engineer
$150K - $200K *
Lead the charge in transforming business challenges into innovative solutions by leveraging your expertise in automation and integration. Collaborate across teams to enhance operational efficiency and...
2 days ago
Senior Director, Business System Strategy & Transformation
$180K - $215K *
Lead the charge in transforming supply chain technology strategies, driving innovation and operational excellence across S2P and O2C value streams. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance d...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Enterprise Architect Principal
$135K - $160K *
Shape the future of enterprise architecture by leading strategic initiatives, translating business goals into scalable solutions, and guiding cross-functional teams in integrating complex healthcare a...
2 weeks ago
$101K - $174K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team to design, deploy, and optimize a secure cloud-native platform. Collaborate across functions to enhance delivery pipelines and ensure reliability in a fas...
Today
$92K - $158K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing a secure PaaS for federal applications. You'll troubleshoot complex issues, support tenant operations, and collaborate on platform improvements, ensuring reli...
Today
Manager, Commercial & Civil Launch Services
$110K - $130K *
Champion the advancement of commercial and U.S. civil launch opportunities, coordinating customer engagement and technical feedback while managing the qualification process and ensuring seamless trans...
6 days ago
$110K - $165K *
Shape your career by leading the onboarding and management of engineering tools, ensuring effective integration and sustainability across teams in a dynamic startup environment, fostering innovation a...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
AI Machine Learning Engineering Staff
$150K - $280K *
Elevate your career by driving AI strategy and development across the enterprise. Collaborate in rapid sprints to implement cutting-edge AI systems, enhance security practices, and contribute to a dyn...
3 weeks ago
Sales Engineer, Mid Market - Public Sector
$112K - $144K *
Transform essential public sector operations by leveraging IoT solutions to enhance fleet management, improve compliance, and optimize logistics for safer, greener environments. Collaborate with diver...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$98K - $206K *
Join a dynamic team as you design and implement Azure IaaS solutions, ensuring operational support and service delivery for a government customer. Contribute to system modernization and enhance servic...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive field engineering excellence by installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting cutting-edge hardware systems. Collaborate with teams to enhance product design and ensure reliable operations in dyn...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Data Integration
$110K - $130K *
Transform healthcare by engineering seamless data integrations between complex EHR systems and our innovative platform. Empower clinicians with actionable insights to enhance patient care and outcomes...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
What is a Space Systems Engineer?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.