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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$85K - $100K *

Transform customer engagement by aligning technical solutions with strategic goals. Collaborate with sales teams to navigate software choices, ensuring seamless integration and optimal architectural p...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$120K - $150K *

Transform business growth by generating leads and fostering client relationships across Chemicals, O&G, Power, Metals, and Advanced Facilities sectors, driving profitability and strategic sales initia...

Baton Rouge, LARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $140K *

Innovate cloud solutions by designing and automating infrastructure in Cloud.gov and Azure. Collaborate with teams to enhance performance and security, driving impactful results for clients while shap...

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Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $230K *

Join a team that's redefining SoC design by owning subsystem development, integrating third-party IP, and optimizing PPA for next-gen architectures. Contribute across all design stages and drive impac...

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5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$137K - $254K *

Lead and empower a team in Organizational Change Management and testing, ensuring effective project delivery across finance systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive data accuracy and system int...

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3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$89K - $133K *

Transform power systems by delivering innovative automation solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and support generator control systems, ensuring excellence from con...

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1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$224K - $431K *

Champion the advancement of open-source Linux kernel support for NVIDIA GPUs. Collaborate with global teams to develop virtualization features in Rust and C, driving technical proposals and enhancing...

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6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$87K - $108K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of water and energy utilities by leading proposal development, coordinating resources, and implementing winning strategies. Collaborate with experts to create imp...

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Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $135K *

Drive operational excellence by leveraging data analysis and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Lead initiatives that enhance performance across functions, mentor teams, and align improvements with strateg...

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1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $170K *

Lead the development of scalable systems, balancing individual contributions with technical guidance. Collaborate across teams to tackle complex engineering challenges in security and AI, while evolvi...

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1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform utility-scale solar and BESS projects by leading commissioning efforts, coordinating testing, and ensuring compliance with standards. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance processes and...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $145K *

Join us to design and secure next-gen infrastructure while ensuring compliance. Collaborate with a diverse team, automate security practices, and mitigate risks through innovative solutions to uphold...

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Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing security for financial systems. Lead advanced monitoring, risk assessments, and compliance efforts while collaborating with cross-functional teams to mitigate...

Miami, FLRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$155K - $259K *

Unlock the potential of data governance by leading U.S. initiatives, ensuring compliance, and fostering collaboration across teams to enhance data quality and stewardship practices in a dynamic enviro...

Kalamazoo, MIRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$131K - $196K *

Unlock potential by developing AI-driven applications and data pipelines. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational efficiency through innovative technical solutions, ensuring quality and scalabil...

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6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$82K - $100K *

Drive your career with a dynamic role in subcontract administration, overseeing procurement processes, developing templates, and mentoring staff while ensuring compliance with federal regulations and...

Houston, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $145K *

Elevate our DevOps capabilities by automating build and deployment processes, ensuring platform health, and enhancing monitoring tools. Collaborate with teams to implement secure, scalable solutions i...

Washington, DCRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $189K *

Architect comprehensive testing strategies and oversee automation efforts for a vital supply chain management system. Lead a team to ensure effective test cycles and enhance capabilities, delivering a...

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Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $243K *

Drive customer success by owning technical relationships and delivering AI solutions. Collaborate with enterprise clients to design, implement, and optimize integrations, ensuring impactful outcomes t...

San Francisco, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $190K *

Join us to support strategic customer accounts by providing technical and operational expertise. Collaborate with teams to enhance security operations, optimize workflows, and ensure customer trust in...

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1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$112K - $195K *

Accelerate progress at digital modernization initiatives by leading human-centered product design. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance workflows, automate processes, and create AI-enabled experi...

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2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$208K - $234K *

Drive the growth of Honeycomb Private Cloud by leading a senior engineering team, enhancing customer relationships, and ensuring operational excellence across multiple engineering domains. Collaborate...

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2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $183K *

Empower your career by leading large-scale health system projects, managing complex initiatives, and guiding teams to achieve strategic goals. Collaborate with senior leaders to drive impactful outcom...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$180K - $240K *

Drive cross-domain visibility and coordination in a dynamic engineering environment. As the sole TPM, you'll ensure programs are on track, dependencies are mapped, and automation enhances efficiency a...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Support commercial engineering efforts by generating proposals, process designs, and managing project tasks. Collaborate with sales teams and vendors to enhance project success across various water tr...

Salt Lake City, UTRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

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.