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Full Time Payload Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Satellite Operator

San Jose, CA · On-site

$31 - $40/hr

... payload * Familiarity with industry standards and best practices in satellite operations ... In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits ...

Senior RF Systems Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$200K - $240K/yr

Systems Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes - 10% of the time Minimum Clearance ... development, operator training, payload initialization and checkout, and on-orbit operations.

Test Software & Automation Engineer

Acton, MA · On-site

$50.75 - $67/hr

This is a full-time position located in Acton, MA. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: * Serve as technical ... payload electronics, sensors, motion system, optical equipment, and other GSE * Develop operator ...

You will directly support real-world missions across our fleet of ground vehicles operated by our ... Work across the organization and directly with end-users to deliver new behaviors, payload ...

Senior Power Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$109K - $150K/yr

This will be a full-time , exempt position located in our Long Beach location. About the role: You ... Support system-level power trades - how do high-power payloads affect battery sizing, solar array ...

Department of Transportation Marietta, GA Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 04770 Department ... of payload; controls amount and weight of materials being lifted to avoid exceeding equipment ...

Showing results 41-60

Full Time Payload Operator information

What is the difference between Full Time Payload Operator vs Part Time Payload Operator?

AspectFull Time Payload OperatorPart Time Payload Operator
Work HoursTypically 40+ hours per weekFewer hours, often less than 30 hours per week
CertificationsRequired certifications such as FAA Part 107 or equivalentSame certifications as full-time, but may vary based on hours
Work EnvironmentConsistent schedule, full-time employment in aviation or drone operationsFlexible schedule, often on an as-needed basis
Employer UsageEmployed directly by companies for ongoing operationsContract or freelance basis for specific projects

In summary, a Full Time Payload Operator works regular hours with full employment benefits, while a Part Time Payload Operator has flexible hours and may work on a contractual basis. Both roles require similar certifications and operate in comparable environments within the drone and aviation industry.

What does a full time payload operator do?

A full-time payload operator is responsible for managing and controlling the payloads of aircraft, spacecraft, or other vehicles during operations. They ensure the safe loading, deployment, and monitoring of payloads, often using specialized equipment and adhering to safety protocols. This role may require technical skills, certifications, and working in environments such as aerospace or defense industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Payload Operator jobs?

The most popular types of Payload Operator jobs are:

Infographic showing various Full Time Payload Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 38% Full Time, 60% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Satellite Operator

Muon Space

San Jose, CA • On-site

$31 - $40/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

About the role
Muon seeks a Satellite Operator to join our Operations team in San Jose, CA. You will be at the forefront of our satellite and specialty sensing operations, ensuring the seamless functioning, monitoring, and maintenance of our fleet of satellites in space. Your primary responsibility will be to execute satellite operation procedures, troubleshoot anomalies, and implement corrective actions to ensure optimal performance and longevity of our satellites. In addition, you will be interacting with the engineering teams to perform special operations, calibrations and orbital maneuvers required to maintain the health and safety of our satellites on orbit.
This position is onsite and requires working in our San Jose, CA office 5x a week.
Responsibilities
  • As a satellite operator, you will be responsible for executing our satellite operations procedures and monitoring the health and safety of our on-orbit satellite fleet.
  • Collaborate with engineers across all disciplines to execute satellite operation plans and maintain continuity of satellite services.
  • Analyze telemetry data and satellite health reports to assess system performance, identify potential issues, monitor system alerts, and implement preventive measures as prescribed by procedures.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve anomalies and system malfunctions, utilizing established procedures and your technical expertise to restore satellite and system functionality promptly.
  • Execute satellite maneuvers, including orbit corrections and station-keeping, to optimize satellite positions and performance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support the commissioning of new satellites into the fleet and ensure a smooth transition from launch to operational phase.
Qualifications
  • Associate degree or equivalent experience
  • Strong communication and teamwork abilities, with a collaborative approach to problem-solving
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure
  • Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively
  • This position participates in a 24/7 on-call rotation with other team members. The on-call rotation is approximately one week per month and is a core responsibility of this role.
  • 24x7 shift work may be required.
Nice-to-have Skills
  • Operations experience with spacecraft, ground stations, or other complex communication systems
  • Strong understanding of satellite subsystems, including power, propulsion, communication, and payload
  • Familiarity with industry standards and best practices in satellite operations
  • Experience with Python, Julia, or another high-level scripting language
Salary
The hourly range for this role is $31-$40 plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.
About Muon Space
Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.
Taking Care of Our Team
At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.
Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
ITAR/EAR Requirements
This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.