1

Contract Spacecraft Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Launch Support SME

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$162K - $223K/yr

... contract award KBR is looking for a Launch Support SME to join our Hemisphere team. Candidates will possess technical expertise in end-to-end spacecraft design and the entire launch process from ...

Mission Payload Engineer (Commercial)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

... in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers - we're mass-producing the ... You'll support the entire program lifecycle - from early proposal phases through spacecraft design ...

... contract. The MSEIT effort provides leading-edge Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) for the ... Ensure the technical design and interfaces within the space vehicle, along with the ground and ...

Senior Mission Payload Engineer (TS//SCI)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$135K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

... in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers - we're mass-producing the ... You'll support the entire program lifecycle - from early proposal phases through spacecraft design ...

Aerospace Engineer

Welcome, MD · On-site

$80K - $144K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... contract at the Blossom Point Satellite Command and Tracking Facility (BPTF) in Welcome, Maryland ... Knowledge of spacecraft design reviews, systems engineering processes, and mission lifecycle ...

Mission Payload Engineer (TS//SCI)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

... in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers - we're mass-producing the ... You'll support the entire program lifecycle - from early proposal phases through spacecraft design ...

Spacecraft Subsystem SME

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

... contract. The MSEIT effort provides leading-edge Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) for the ... Ensure the technical design and interfaces within the space vehicle, along with the ground and ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Spacecraft Design information

See salary details

$42K

$108.6K

$165K

How much do contract spacecraft design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract spacecraft design in the United States is $108,638.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Spacecraft Design vs Satellite Systems Engineer?

AspectContract Spacecraft DesignSatellite Systems Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degrees, specialized in aerospace or mechanical engineeringEngineering degrees, often with focus on systems engineering or aerospace
Work EnvironmentProject-based, often contract roles with multiple clientsFull-time or contract, within satellite manufacturing or space agencies
Industry UsagePrimarily in aerospace, defense, and space sectorsIn satellite development, space agencies, and aerospace companies
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Contract Spacecraft Design professionals focus on designing spacecraft on a project basis, often working with multiple clients and specialized in spacecraft architecture. Satellite Systems Engineers work on integrating and managing satellite systems within organizations, often with a broader systems engineering role. While both roles require aerospace engineering credentials and work within the space industry, Contract Spacecraft Design emphasizes project-based design work, whereas Satellite Systems Engineers focus on system integration and operation.

More about Contract Spacecraft Design jobs

What cities are hiring for Contract Spacecraft Design jobs?

Cities with the most Contract Spacecraft Design job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Spacecraft Design jobs?

The most popular types of Spacecraft Design jobs are:

What states have the most Contract Spacecraft Design jobs?

States with the most job openings for Contract Spacecraft Design jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Contract Spacecraft Design jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Spacecraft Design jobs are:

Infographic showing various Contract Spacecraft Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Electrical Engineer (Spacecraft Electrical)

Peraton

Washington, DC • Hybrid

$135K - $216K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Peraton rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

51st of 224 rated it services


Job description

Responsibilities

Peraton is looking for an Senior Spacecraft Electrical Engineer in the Power Systems and Instrumentation Section in the Spacecraft Engineering Division of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).

This position is responsible for the design, development, and test of circuit card assemblies and electronics boxes for space flight hardware. This position includes a varied responsibility set to include development of electrical power systems, design and application of power supplies, power distribution, analog/digital instrumentation, stepper and 3-phase DC motor control, and test equipment.

Responsibilities of the position:

  • Collaborate with a small team of engineers, customers, and others to discuss existing or potential products or projects
  • Design and develop spacecraft power systems and sensor instrumentations
  • Create and build spacecraft control electronics
  • Create and build spacecraft motor control electronics
  • Create and build spacecraft health and status monitoring electronics
  • Design and build test equipment to validate hardware requirements
  • Design, maintain, implement, or improve electrical instruments
  • Use computer-aided software to place and route printed circuit boards
  • Oversee the manufacturing of printed circuit boards
  • Write reports and compile test data regarding projects and studies
  • Ensure that designs conform to standards and customer requirements by preparing electrical systems specifications and technical drawings
  • Preparation of documentation including specifications, interface control documents, and white papers
  • Provide test requirements, plans, and procedures for hardware systems
  • Analyze designs for proper operation over operating conditions
  • Present and defend designs to broader audiences for review and approval
  • Manage resources, such as schedules and budgets, for work being performed

Position is hybrid, must be able to work at the facility and remote. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Science Degree in Electrical or Systems
  • Twelve or more years of experience 
  • Ability to use schematic capture tools, such as OrCAD.
  • Ability to use circuit simulation tools, such as PSpice.
  • Ability to use PCB layout tools, such as Allegro PCB Designer.
  • Ability to use Matlab or similar software to process test results.
  • Must be a US citizen
  • Must be able to obtain an interim and/or final (e.g., Secret) security clearance (This position may eventually require obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret clearance which entails further background investigation) 
Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

What Peraton employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Peraton logo

About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017