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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$148K - $201K *

Empower the development of our open source software solutions while collaborating with engineers and community contributors. Leverage your cloud native expertise to enhance mission outcomes through in...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$113K - $142K *

Design and develop structural engineering solutions for modular data centers. Oversee vendor collaboration, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with local codes, delivering repeatable desi...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $155K *

Lead the modernization of HPC infrastructure, enhancing simulation-driven product development and optimizing engineering productivity across diverse environments and accounts...

Georgia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$152K - $287K *

Join a team that's developing cutting-edge GPU performance tools for AI and HPC. Your expertise will shape innovative profiling solutions, empowering CUDA engineers globally to maximize GPU capabiliti...

Austin, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $185K *

Empower mission-critical systems by designing and automating OCI observability solutions. Ensure robust monitoring, performance tracking, and compliance across cloud environments, while enhancing resi...

Arlington, VARemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in transforming cost estimating processes by developing and implementing advanced methodologies, ensuring accuracy and consistency in estimates while providing technical leadership and...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Transform the future of cybersecurity compliance by leading certification projects, collaborating with teams to ensure product adherence to industry standards, and providing expert guidance on cyberse...

California, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$139K - $191K *

Transform technical execution by architecting scalable cloud environments and driving DevOps practices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product readiness and enhance customer evaluat...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$107K - $195K *

Optimize cloud infrastructure and CI/CD pipelines as a hands-on DevOps Technical Lead. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system reliability and operational efficiency while driving ap...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$80K - $95K *

Elevate project execution by leading a team of Control Technicians, ensuring quality, timely completion, and effective communication across all stakeholders while providing technical support and mento...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$83K - $124K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines, enhancing software delivery and operational stability for enterprise applications while collaborating with cross-functiona...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing exceptional post-sales technical support for federal clients. You'll troubleshoot complex systems, collaborate with engineering teams, and ensure seamless ope...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $175K *

Join us to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in delivering complex IT modernization projects for the U.S. Department of State, ensuring technical excellence and alignment with mission objective...

Washington DC, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$229K - $260K *

Drive the technical direction for building and delivering containerized applications, ensuring reliability and security across deployments. Collaborate with teams to enhance automation and mentor engi...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$225K - $265K *

Drive the development of seamless integrations for security platforms, leading a team to deliver high-quality, reliable products that enhance customer security stacks and ensure compatibility with evo...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Support manufacturers by implementing solutions that enhance operational performance. Collaborate with teams to drive adoption and deliver measurable improvements, ensuring lasting value from the plat...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$200K - $240K *

Join a dynamic team as you provide technical expertise, drive enterprise opportunities, and architect innovative solutions that meet client needs while showcasing the value of our cutting-edge product...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$83K - $133K *

Lead customer engagement and technical design for critical power projects, ensuring quality and compliance. Collaborate across teams to resolve issues and manage multiple projects, driving successful...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Empower our team to build innovative security and governance solutions, shaping access management for both human and agent users. Lead a small, dynamic group as we define architectural foundations and...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $175K *

Champion innovative structural design for mission-critical data centers, focusing on prefabricated and modular construction. Lead technical strategy, establish design standards, and ensure safety and...

Denver, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $130K *

Unlock your potential in project management, leading the execution of electric utility engineering projects across the U.S. Collaborate with construction partners while driving strategic relationships...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$106K - $115K *

Unlock your potential as you contribute to scalable software solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance assessment systems. Gain hands-on experience in modern development practice...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Champion the development of LLM-powered applications and agentic systems. Drive complex use cases from ambiguous problems to production, ensuring high-quality and scalable AI solutions that address us...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Drive innovation in electrical engineering by designing cutting-edge systems for hyperscale data centers. Collaborate globally on high-profile projects while ensuring compliance with industry standard...

Phoenix, AZRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$80K - $95K *

Unlock your potential by contributing to innovative electrical designs for mission-critical data centers. Collaborate globally on high-profile projects while advancing your career in a dynamic, client...

Chicago, ILRemote

Today

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

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.