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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$110K - $130K *

Champion client success by leading complex commercial real estate projects, managing multi-site portfolios, and providing senior technical expertise to multidisciplinary teams, ensuring effective deli...

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Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Transform your career by leading technical investigations and solutions in a dynamic field service environment. Collaborate with teams to enhance product performance and customer satisfaction while me...

Baton Rouge, LARemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$250K - $280K *

Empower the development of AI observability capabilities, architecting data models and infrastructure while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user workflows and insights into AI sys...

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1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $150K *

Shape the future of quality assurance by ensuring our products meet high standards. Collaborate with engineering teams to test APIs, SDKs, and real-time integrations, while building automation for fas...

New York, NYRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$66K - $106K *

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3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $187K *

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Connecticut, USRemote

Yesterday

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$466K - $500K+*

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Today

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$125K - $150K *

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3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

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San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

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Dallas, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

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Rockville, MDRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in enhancing engineering security for our SaaS platform. Collaborate with teams to identify risks, improve practices, and implement automation, ensuring secure development and robust v...

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Today

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$95K - $115K *

Transform the learning landscape by leading the design and development of innovative educational materials. You'll engage diverse teams to create immersive, high-quality training experiences using cut...

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Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $325K *

Elevate your career by securing and managing the transition to a hybrid-cloud infrastructure. Own identity management, cloud security, and developer tooling while leading incident response and threat...

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6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $225K *

Elevate your career by leading technical strategy for client systems, shaping architecture across platforms, and driving multi-team initiatives in a hands-on role that influences security and reliabil...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$128K - $189K *

Innovate the future of fleet data management by enhancing reliability, observability, and performance. Lead technical projects and develop high-quality Python software across cloud and data platforms...

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Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$59K - $106K *

Transform tactical ISR operations by executing preflight, flight, and post-flight duties. Leverage advanced sensor technology to provide critical analysis and support for diverse missions, ensuring ef...

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Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$184K - $356K *

Drive the development and automation of reliable, scalable AI services across diverse cloud environments, ensuring optimal performance and operational safety for production workloads and distributed s...

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3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$145K - $170K *

Transform the future of EV charging by leading DevOps initiatives, enhancing cloud infrastructure, and ensuring system reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and deli...

Toronto, ONRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$135K - $146K *

Innovate strategic partnerships and drive revenue growth in NTN and IoT sectors. Cultivate relationships with global carriers, negotiate agreements, and identify new business opportunities to establis...

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1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$73K - $132K *

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2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$68K - $113K *

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Seattle, WARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

$208K - $327K *

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Santa Clara, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$134K - $194K *

Lead and manage multiple solar PV and BESS projects, ensuring safety, quality, and timely delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and mentor junior staff while maintaining client communicati...

Massachusetts, USRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$130K - $155K *

Join a dynamic team to architect and deliver a cloud-native maintenance planning tool, driving modernization efforts and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution an...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   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.