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Ground Controller Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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NASA ISS Ground Systems Controller

Huntsville, AL · On-site

The Ground Systems Controller is responsible for configuring, monitoring, and recovering critical ground system services required to support Marshall Operations Systems, Services, and Integration II ...

Aviation Ground Equipment Corp

Controller

Franklin, OH · On-site

Plant Controller Aviation Ground Equipment Corp. is seeking a Controller to lead our Finance department. This is a key role reporting to the VP/General Manager. The role will be responsible for ...

The Network 101

Controller

Scotts Valley, CA · On-site

Controller (Hands-On Build Role | Hardware / Manufacturing) Location: Scotts Valley, CA (Onsite 4-5 ... This is a rare opportunity to join at the ground floor of a company with significant customer ...

The Network 101

Controller

Scotts Valley, CA · On-site

$230K - $270K/yr

Controller (Hands-On Build Role | Hardware / Manufacturing) Location: Scotts Valley, CA (Onsite 4-5 ... This is a rare opportunity to join at the ground floor of a company with significant customer ...

The Network 101

Controller

Scotts Valley, CA · On-site

$230K - $270K/yr

Controller (Hands-On Build Role | Hardware / Manufacturing) Location: Scotts Valley, CA (Onsite 4-5 ... This is a rare opportunity to join at the ground floor of a company with significant customer ...

Staff Financial Group

Controller

Ball Ground, GA · Hybrid

Controller Who: A rapidly growing startup seeking a project-savvy accountant with strong technical ... Where: Hybrid role based near Ball Ground, GA with 2-3 in-office days per week. Why: To build ...

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$55K

$119.5K

$175.5K

How much do ground controller jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for ground controller in the United States is $119,497.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,000.00 and $138,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Ground Controller position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Ground Controller, you need strong situational awareness, decision-making skills, and a solid understanding of airfield operations, often supported by relevant certifications such as an FAA Ground Control endorsement or completion of air traffic control training. Familiarity with radar systems, radio communications equipment, and airport management software is typically required. Effective communication, stress management, and teamwork are crucial soft skills in this dynamic environment. These abilities help ensure safety, efficient coordination, and smooth operational flow on the ground at busy airports or transportation hubs.

Did air traffic controllers get paid $10,000?

Air traffic controllers, including ground controllers, typically earn salaries well above $10,000 per month, with the average annual salary ranging from $70,000 to over $130,000 depending on experience and location. Entry-level positions usually start lower but increase with experience, certifications, and overtime work in a high-stakes environment. Such salaries are common in the industry for qualified professionals working in the United States and other countries with developed air traffic control systems.

How much do ground controllers get paid?

Ground controllers typically earn an average annual salary between $40,000 and $70,000, depending on experience, location, and employer. They often require certification and work in airport environments, coordinating aircraft movements on the ground to ensure safety and efficiency.

What is a Ground Controller job?

A Ground Controller is responsible for managing the movement of aircraft and vehicles on the ground at an airport, excluding the active runway. They communicate with pilots and other personnel to ensure safe and efficient taxiing, parking, and routing of aircraft. Ground Controllers work in air traffic control towers and use radar, radio communication, and surveillance systems to monitor airport ground traffic. Their role is essential in preventing collisions and maintaining the orderly flow of aircraft on taxiways and aprons.

Why can't you be an air traffic controller after 31?

Ground controllers and other air traffic control roles typically have age limits due to the high mental and physical demands of the job, including the need for quick decision-making and stress management. Many agencies set maximum age limits, often around 30 or 31, to ensure candidates can meet the job's physical and cognitive requirements throughout their career. These age restrictions are part of certification and hiring policies to maintain safety standards in air traffic management.

What is the highest paid position at an airport?

At airports, the highest paid positions are typically executive roles such as airport directors or chief executives, who oversee airport operations and strategic planning. These roles often require extensive experience, leadership skills, and relevant certifications, and they can earn salaries well above other airport staff, including ground controllers and pilots.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Ground Controller?

As a Ground Controller, your main duties include directing aircraft and vehicles on taxiways and runways, maintaining constant radio communication with pilots and other control tower staff, and ensuring all movements on the ground are safe and efficient. You'll use radar, maps, and other tracking systems to monitor ground traffic, provide clearances, and respond quickly to developing situations. The role often requires working in a busy, high-pressure environment where attention to detail is critical. You'll regularly coordinate with other members of the air traffic control team and airport personnel to keep all ground operations running smoothly.

More about Ground Controller jobs
What cities are hiring for Ground Controller jobs? Cities with the most Ground Controller job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Ground Controller jobs? The most popular types of Ground Controller jobs are:
What states have the most Ground Controller jobs? States with the most job openings for Ground Controller jobs include:
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Ground Controller jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ground Controller job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $119,497 per year, or $57.5 per hour.
Launch Engineer - Ground Operations

Launch Engineer - Ground Operations

Stoke Space

Cape Canaveral, FL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

At Stoke, we believe a thriving space economy will enable a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable future here on Earth. That is why we're building Nova, our fully and rapidly reusable launch vehicle. Designed for daily flight, Nova tackles the core challenges of space transportation by reducing cost, increasing availability, and improving reliability. By radically lowering launch costs and increasing flight cadence, we're helping create a truly scalable space industry.
Our team is mission-driven, collaborative, and empowered to take ownership of their work. If you want to work alongside some of the most dedicated and talented people on Earth, we'd love to have you join us.
Description
Reusable systems with frequent launch cadence are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. A highly operable, reliable, and robust ground system is an integral part of a fully reusable launch system. As a launch operations engineer for our dedicated launch complex at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, you will be responsible for developing, commissioning, and operating new launch systems from scratch and serving as a key member of the ground operations team for test and orbital launch campaigns. You will be responsible for engineering, procedures, integration, commissioning, operations, and on-console control. As part of a small, well-supported team, you will have access to the resources you need to get the job done right while simultaneously boosting your skills at a pace that can't be matched in most other roles. You must be ready to stay focused, move fast, self-direct, and learn on the fly.
Responsibilities
  • On-console control of launch ground systems
  • Own launch readiness, day-of launch console operations, and test & launch campaigns for ground systems
  • Serve as main point of contact for anomaly investigations and own anomaly response and closure for ground systems
  • Develop, maintain, and execute procedures, control logic, and automation sequencing for ground systems
  • Develop and implement test plans and procedures, complete data reviews, and oversee launch readiness reviews for launch site operations
  • Perform real time and post operation data reviews for the ground systems
  • Work closely with vehicle software team, and help architect launch automation
  • Coordinate with multiple departments and disciplines, including headquarters and test, inclusive of software and hardware, to ensure the launch complex is ready to receive, process, integrate and operate high cadence flight hardware
  • Develop, build, operate, and maintain supporting launch facilities including launch control center
  • Continuously improve launch operations and functions to enable high-cadence launch and recovery operations
  • Provide engineering expertise, oversite, and hands-on support during day-to-day site operations
  • Serve as on-console support or pad lead for day-to-day launch pad operations
  • Ensure operations are performed industry best practices and EHS policies are followed. Work with EHS to optimize safety policies and operational procedures to reduce or eliminate risk to personnel

Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience as a test site operations engineer, launch site operations engineer, ground controller, and/or flight vehicle controller or equivalent experience with similar high-performance applications (aircraft, missile systems, naval, oil & gas, energy systems, etc).
  • Strong engineering fundamentals across multiple disciplines (thermodynamics, fluids, software, electrical, and/or structures)
  • Ability to troubleshoot problems and implement solutions real time.
  • Ability to architect launch automation logic & sequencing and an understanding of software state machine applications
  • Experience utilizing and enforcing EHS policies including fall protection, lockout/tagout, confined space, hot work, job site safety, hazmat, and waste streams
  • Experience operating and calibrating EHS tools utilized in a launch complex environment including hazardous gas detectors, FLIR cameras, and sound meters
  • Willing and able to travel up to 20% of the time to Stoke HQ and Moses Lake Test Site to help ensure seamless Cape Launch Site operations
  • Ability to prioritize and execute
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Ability to lead
  • Ability to follow
  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or similar field.
  • Willing to relocate to Cape Canaveral, FL

Preferred Qualifications
  • 10+ years of experience as a test site operations engineer, launch site operations engineer, ground controller, and/or flight vehicle controller or equivalent experience with similar high-performance applications (aircraft, missile systems, naval, oil & gas, energy systems, etc).
  • Experience working hazardous operations including operations with high pressure gas systems, cryogenic liquid systems, high power systems, and/or explosive ordnance
  • Experience performing hazardous analyses for cryogenic and high-pressure gas systems
  • Experience working test and operations of systems involving integration of software, electrical, mechanical, and fluid systems
  • Experience with data acquisition and control systems and sensing elements (pressure, temperature, accelerometers, load cells, infrared, optical, strain gauges, flow meters, etc)
  • Proficient with Python programming language is desirable
  • Familiarity with AFSPCMAN 91-710, MSPSP, and HazOp range requirements as well as DoD explosive siting for launch vehicle programs
  • Experience working with 45th SW, 30th SW, and/or NASA and other government agencies
  • Master's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or similar field

Benefits
  • Equity - We know that our employees are the reason we succeed. To give everyone a stake in our future, we are pleased to offer equity in the form of stock options to all regular, full-time employees.
  • Comprehensive benefits program including subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Company-paid life and disability insurance
  • 401(k) plan with employer match
  • 4 weeks' Paid Time Off
  • Holidays - 10 days (including an end-of-year closure)
  • Paid Family/Parental Leave
  • On-site gym or monthly wellness stipend (depending on location)
  • Dog friendly offices!

Compensation
Target Levels:
  • Level 2 Range: $109,725 - $148,470
  • Level 3 Range: $129,150 - $193,620

Our job posts are intentionally written to attract a wide variety of experience levels, and we make decisions about the right fit on a per-candidate basis.
Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Equal Opportunity
The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including with respect to disability and veteran status. It is committed to compliance with all equal opportunity laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Title VII. It does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, race, citizenship, immigration status, or any other protected class when it comes to employment practices, including hiring.
Employment at the Company is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference and backgroundchecks, and on your ability to prove your identity and authorization to work in the U.S. for the Company. Employees must comply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services employment verification requirements, and, therefore, they must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 at the start of employment and re-verify authorization to work periodically.
Separate from this I-9 process, this position entails access to certain technology and technical data that is restricted under U.S. export control laws and regulations. Employment or continued employment may be conditioned on your legal authorization to work with or have access to export control materials as necessary to perform your job.
Candidate Rights & Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or participate in the interview process, please contact careers@stokespace.com. Requests will be handled in accordance with applicable laws. Please do not include medical or other confidential information in your initial request.
For more information about your rights, please refer to the "Know Your Rights" notice here.
E-Verify
Stoke Space uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

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