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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$169K - $253K *

Elevate your career by leading integration and testing for advanced defense systems. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure system performance and reliability while mentoring early-career engineers...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$87K - $119K *

Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing IT infrastructure and enhancing system reliability. As an IT Systems Engineer II, you'll manage, troubleshoot, and innovate within IT systems, ensuring seaml...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$81K - $136K *

Drive your career in human spaceflight by collaborating with experts to certify and enhance launch systems for crew safety, while actively supporting NASA missions and improving processes within a dyn...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$81K - $136K *

Lead the charge in ensuring the safety and certification of human-rated launch systems. Collaborate with engineering and safety teams while supporting NASA's human spaceflight initiatives to enhance m...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$114K - $171K *

Join a dynamic team to lead end-to-end requirements engineering for mission-critical airborne ISR systems, ensuring stakeholder needs are defined, traceable, and verified throughout the project lifecy...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$143K - $238K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of aerospace by developing cutting-edge flight software for embedded systems. Collaborate on high-impact projects, ensuring robust software solutions for NASA's A...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$114K - $142K *

Contribute to satellite operations by analyzing data, debugging software, and deploying solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance satellite productivity while effectively communicating within a tec...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $170K *

Transform the future of aerospace by leading systems engineering for spacecraft, ensuring seamless integration and performance across multiple disciplines while managing technical risks and program re...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $170K *

Shape the future of aerospace by leading systems engineering for spacecraft. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure integrated system performance from design to launch, balancing technical...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $170K *

Lead the charge in developing integrated spacecraft systems, ensuring seamless collaboration across engineering disciplines. Drive technical execution from architecture to mission operations, balancin...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$145K - $203K *

Join a dynamic team to define and ensure the safety of lunar landers, leading systems engineering efforts across critical vehicle areas while mentoring engineers and driving innovative, lean processes...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$133K - $186K *

Unlock potential as a senior systems engineer, driving safety and verification for lunar landers. Collaborate with diverse teams to shape architecture, mentor engineers, and enhance processes, ensurin...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $200K *

Elevate your career by designing cutting-edge satellite radar systems. Collaborate across disciplines to develop RF requirements and transform raw data into actionable insights, ensuring all-weather...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $165K *

Engage with cutting-edge satellite systems engineering to drive integration, testing, and development of advanced space vehicle subsystems. Collaborate with teams to ensure mission success and deliver...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$81K - $136K *

Transform the future of launch systems by supporting Vulcan Development. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance capabilities, perform systems engineering tasks, and contribute to innovati...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$81K - $136K *

Empower your career by supporting the Vulcan Development team in enhancing launch systems. Collaborate across disciplines, apply systems engineering principles, and contribute to innovative solutions...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$81K - $136K *

Drive systems engineering excellence by supporting ground software and fluid systems. Collaborate across teams to ensure integration, testing, and operational readiness for ULA’s Vulcan and Atlas Laun...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$81K - $136K *

Engineer cutting-edge ground systems for launch vehicles. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and testing of hardware and software. Drive systems engineering proces...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$177K - $265K *

Engage in cutting-edge systems engineering for spacecraft ground segments. Define, analyze, and validate requirements while driving program maturity and milestones. Collaborate in a model-based enviro...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$133K - $161K *

Drive innovation in aerospace by leading component selection and qualification efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product development and ensure compliance with industry stand...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$79K - $118K *

Explore a rewarding opportunity as a Hardware Assurance Engineer, where you'll assess hardware security threats, conduct vendor research, and contribute to program protection efforts for critical defe...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$119K - $163K *

Optimize complex system solutions by leading cross-functional teams, managing requirements, and ensuring integration and verification throughout the product lifecycle. Drive technical excellence and m...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $266K *

Unlock potential by leading systems engineering initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop governance artifacts, and ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture strategies i...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Create innovative solutions that address real-world challenges in airspace safety. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop products from concept to deployment in a fast-paced environment. S...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$79K - $147K *

Empower the future of space exploration by leading critical test operations, developing test plans, and ensuring system integration. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to drive success in a fas...

Yesterday

  •   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.