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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$79K - $147K *

Drive innovation by collaborating across diverse engineering teams to develop and integrate complex electrical systems. Ensure alignment on design parameters and maintain critical interfaces in a dyna...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$75K - $142K *

Join us to design and analyze Command, Control, and Communications systems, enhancing performance through data analysis and engineering principles. Collaborate in a dynamic environment while ensuring...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $163K *

Unlock potential by leading systems engineering efforts for satellite operations, ensuring seamless integration and support across projects. Collaborate with teams to enhance infrastructure and drive...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$79K - $147K *

Unlock potential by driving systems engineering excellence for the UK Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System. Collaborate with stakeholders, manage requirements, and ensure successful integration an...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$70K - $130K *

Elevate your career by supporting the installation and testing of advanced Navy submarines. Collaborate with teams to ensure system integration, conduct analyses, and facilitate training while managin...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Champion the evolution of complex systems through innovative design, integration, and maintenance. Lead mission-critical projects, collaborating with teams to optimize infrastructure across diverse pl...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $210K *

Join a dynamic team as a senior systems engineer, leading integration and verification for advanced flight systems. Collaborate on cutting-edge projects, ensuring safe operations and compliance with i...

2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$142K - $213K *

Drive innovation in space systems engineering by developing, integrating, and testing advanced spacecraft for national security missions. Collaborate with a cross-disciplinary team to tackle complex c...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$143K - $197K *

Join a team that's redefining ground system solutions for missile tracking. Lead cross-functional efforts to integrate complex systems, ensuring alignment with mission-critical objectives while managi...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$143K - $197K *

Elevate ground system solutions for a national missile tracking program. Lead cross-functional teams in systems engineering, ensuring integration, verification, and timely delivery of critical capabil...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by providing engineering support for complex systems integration, ensuring compliance with standards while managing interfaces and user requirements. Collaborate on assessments and te...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$165K - $175K *

Advance mission integration through innovative systems engineering and architecture design, ensuring robust capability delivery for diverse operational needs in a dynamic defense environment...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Technical Services

$105K - $152K *

Drive flight safety analysis and regulatory compliance for aerospace missions. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure safety-critical verification and support live operations, ensuring robust method...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$108K - $130K *

Join us to support complex systems engineering projects, leveraging your expertise in Linux/Windows administration, network configuration, and RF/SIGINT systems. Collaborate with teams to ensure seaml...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$92K - $110K *

Lead cross-functional teams in developing system-level solutions for missile defense. Utilize Model-Based Systems Engineering to analyze architecture impacts and coordinate technical specifications, e...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Transform the future of national defense by leading the design and integration of advanced space systems. Leverage your expertise to optimize performance and ensure mission success in a collaborative...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$161K - $241K *

Grow your career with a dynamic team as you lead multi-disciplined engineers, driving technical excellence and fostering an innovative culture while managing performance and project execution in a col...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$161K - $241K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of national security through innovative software solutions. As a key leader, you'll manage integration and testing efforts, ensuring mission success while collabo...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $203K *

Lead the charge in spacecraft operations, ensuring mission success through monitoring, anomaly resolution, and collaboration with engineering teams. Drive improvements in procedures and support conste...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $165K *

Innovate advanced space network systems by designing and analyzing architectures, supporting integration, and optimizing communication technologies for ground and satellite networks. Collaborate with...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $130K *

Lead a team of engineers to drive innovative projects, engage in hands-on technical work, and ensure seamless operations while managing personnel development and performance appraisals in a dynamic en...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$142K - $213K *

Lead the charge in developing advanced spacecraft systems for national security missions. Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate and test complex systems, ensuring mission success in a...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$117K - $195K *

Join a team that's developing cutting-edge avionics architectures for diverse missions. Leverage your expertise in command and data handling to optimize system performance and ensure seamless integrat...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$117K - $195K *

Advance avionics architectures for diverse missions, ensuring seamless integration of command and data handling systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize performance and support mis...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $143K *

Innovate avionics systems engineering solutions, leading design and verification efforts for space hardware. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution and delivery...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.