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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$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...

Reston, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

Ohio, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

New Orleans, LARemote

5 days ago

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

$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...

Pocatello, IDRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

Connecticut, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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...

Virginia, USRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

San Mateo, CARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$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...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$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...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$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...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business 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...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$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...

Three Rivers, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.