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Launch Operations Engineer Jobs in Santa Fe, TX (NOW HIRING)

Aegis Aerospace

Space Operations Specialist

Houston, TX · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

... scheduled for launch in 2027. The Space Operations Specialist will monitor and operate these ... Working knowledge of engineering principles and technical concepts. * Excellent analytical and ...

Protouch Staffing

Payload Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$80K - $130K/yr

Experience with mission operations, launch support, or post-flight payload support * Familiarity ... systems engineering methodologies and verification processes * Previous experience supporting ...

Sulzer

LAUNCH Program (Rotational)

La Porte, TX · On-site

## LAUNCH Program (Rotational)Applylocations: La Portetime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob ... Acts as a bridge between engineering, commercial, and operations - designing and implementing shop ...

Sulzer AG

LAUNCH Program (Rotational)

La Porte, TX

Acts as a bridge between engineering, commercial, and operations - designing and implementing shop-floor solutions, automation, supporting technical documentation, collaborating with vendors, and ...

Base Power Company

Traveling Electrician

Houston, TX · On-site

$24.75 - $31.50/hr

Unmatched exposure to market-launch strategy, field operations leadership, and direct partnership with hardware/software engineering. About the Team The Deployments team is a fast-moving group of ...

Base Power Company

Traveling Electrician

Houston, TX · On-site

$24.75 - $31.50/hr

Unmatched exposure to market-launch strategy, field operations leadership, and direct partnership with hardware/software engineering. About the Team The Deployments team is a fast-moving group of ...

Venus Aerospace

Instrumentation Technician

Houston, TX · On-site

... launch engineers to troubleshoot failures and resolve issues arising from launch operations • Diagnose, adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components in ground hardware, test equipment, and ...

Venus Aerospace

Instrumentation Technician

Houston, TX · On-site

... launch engineers to troubleshoot failures and resolve issues arising from launch operations Diagnose, adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components in ground hardware, test equipment, and ...

Skylimit Systems

Structural Dynamics Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Gain exposure to the complete product lifecycle, from concept development through launch and mission operations * Join an innovative, fast-paced engineering organization where technical excellence ...

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All JobsLaunch Operations Engineer JobsLaunch Operations Engineer Jobs in Santa Fe, TX

Launch Operations Engineer information

See Santa Fe, TX salary details

$32.5K

$76.8K

$122K

How much do launch operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for launch operations engineer in Santa Fe, TX is $76,837.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,800.00 and $84,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a launch operations engineer?

Launch Operations Engineers are professionals responsible for overseeing and coordinating the technical aspects of spacecraft or rocket launches. Their work involves preparing, testing, and integrating launch vehicles and payloads, as well as managing countdown procedures and troubleshooting issues that may arise before or during a launch. They collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safety, reliability, and mission success. These engineers often work at launch sites and must be adept at problem-solving in high-pressure environments.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a launch operations engineer?

To thrive as a Launch Operations Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace or mechanical engineering, systems integration, and problem-solving, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with launch vehicle systems, telemetry, control software, and certifications like EIT or PE are commonly required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication under pressure distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are essential to ensure safe, reliable, and successful spacecraft launches in a high-stakes environment.

What are common challenges faced by launch operations engineers during a rocket launch campaign?

Launch Operations Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating real-time communication across multidisciplinary teams, managing tight launch windows, and troubleshooting unexpected technical issues under time pressure. They must also ensure strict adherence to safety protocols and regulatory requirements while working in high-stress environments. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective collaboration with engineers, technicians, and mission control staff.

What is the difference between Launch Operations Engineer vs Launch Systems Engineer?

AspectLaunch Operations EngineerLaunch Systems Engineer
Primary FocusOverseeing launch procedures, ground operations, and launch site activitiesDesigning, integrating, and testing launch vehicle systems
Required CredentialsBachelor's in engineering, technical background, certifications in launch operationsBachelor's or higher in aerospace or systems engineering, certifications in systems integration
Work EnvironmentLaunch sites, ground control facilitiesDesign labs, testing facilities, integration centers
Industry UsageSpace agencies, commercial launch providersManufacturers, aerospace companies, system integrators

The Launch Operations Engineer primarily manages ground and launch site activities, ensuring successful launches. In contrast, the Launch Systems Engineer focuses on designing and testing the vehicle systems. Both roles require engineering credentials and are integral to the launch process, but they differ in daily responsibilities and work environments.

Infographic showing various Launch Operations Engineer job openings in Santa Fe, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,837 per year, or $36.9 per hour.

Space Operations Specialist

Houston, TX • On-site

Aegis Aerospace
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Aegis Aerospaceexternal

$90K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Space Operations Specialist
Location: Webster, TX (Houston area)
Relocation Assistance: None available at this time
Remote/Telework: No - Onsite required
Clearance Required: None
Work Schedule: Day Shift
Position Summary:
Aegis Aerospace is seeking a motivated and talented Space Operations Specialist to join our Space Flight Systems (SFS) team in Houston, Texas. The SFS team implements Aegis Aerospace's commercial Space Testing as a Service (STaaS) line of business, which customers use to obtain spaceflight heritage for new products, reduce risk associated with emerging technologies, and conduct scientific research in space and on the surface of the Moon. STaaS is enabled by Aegis Aerospace's orbital and lunar platforms, including the MISSE Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) on the ISS, the TAMU-SPIRIT and AMMP platforms, the M1 free-flying satellite bus, and a lunar surface platform scheduled for launch in 2027. The Space Operations Specialist will monitor and operate these platforms and their integrated payloads while supporting mission planning, anomaly response, operations-product development, data management, hardware testing, and future lunar operations.
Responsibilities
  • Regularly monitor the health and status of Aegis platforms and integrated payloads to ensure they remain in proper operating condition.
  • Perform nominal and contingency platform operations.
  • Serve as a primary operations point of contact with NASA's Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC).
  • Develop, maintain, and continuously improve operational products, including flight rules, console procedures, daily logs, and related documentation.
  • Support or lead technical analyses related to platform and payload operations.
  • Develop a thorough understanding of platform designs and contribute to upgrade, maintenance, and troubleshooting discussions.
  • Retrieve, store, organize, and process platform sensor data and imagery.
  • Support lunar payload hardware testing and the development of associated operational processes.
  • Support mission-requirements verification and delivery activities.
  • Clearly and concisely report the status of assigned tasks and initiatives.
  • Communicate daily activities, operational concerns, and relevant updates to other team members.
  • Occasionally work an extended or adjusted schedule when required to support mission operations.
  • Travel as necessary to support program and mission requirements.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
  • At least three years of experience in aerospace operations, mission operations, engineering support, technical operations, laboratory operations, or another comparably complex technical environment.
  • Experience monitoring or supporting technical systems, analyzing operational data, following established procedures, and assisting with troubleshooting or issue resolution.
  • Working knowledge of engineering principles and technical concepts.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Highly dependable, self-motivated, and accountable.
  • Ability to become proficient in unfamiliar platform designs, systems, procedures, and operational requirements.
  • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
  • Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
  • Proficiency with standard office software, including Microsoft Office.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-management abilities.
  • Ability to communicate and work effectively with senior executives, scientists, engineers, customers, and external mission partners.
  • Ability to occasionally work an extended or adjusted schedule and travel when required to support mission operations.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and able to successfully complete a government background check.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Associate degree or higher in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
  • Experience supporting satellite, spacecraft, or payload operations.
  • Experience with spacecraft or payload commanding and anomaly resolution.
  • Experience with spacecraft or payload mission planning and orbital analysis.
  • Experience developing operational procedures, technical documentation, or training materials.
  • Knowledge of human spaceflight, the low Earth orbit (LEO) environment, launch operations, or cislunar operations.
  • Familiarity with Linux operating systems.
  • Familiarity with Python or C++.
  • Understanding of computer networks and file transfer protocols.

Pay Range:
Expected salary range is $90,000-$110,000 per year based on education, experience, and any relevant certifications
Application Instructions:
  • Resumes must be submitted in month/year format to be considered. Candidates must be fully truthful in their application. Dishonesty or misrepresentation may result in disqualification.
  • Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents eligible to pass a government background check will be considered.

About Aegis Aerospace
We are a woman-owned space and technology company headquartered in Houston, TX. Our primary objective is to support the Department of Defense and NASA in achieving their missions to defend the security of our country, reach new heights and to discover the unknown. We employ some of the brightest, most experienced engineering and technology experts in the U.S.
To learn more about Aegis Aerospace, visit our website at http://www.AegisAero.com
Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veteran / Disability

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