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Launch Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Monaco

Launch Operations

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About The Role We're looking for Launch Operations to own the entire onboarding experience from ... Operator : executing onboarding at a high level of quality and speed * Builder : constantly ...

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Launch Operator information

See California salary details

$13

$19

$26

How much do launch operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for launch operator in California is $19.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $20.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a launch operator?

Launch Operators are professionals responsible for managing and operating the equipment and systems used to launch vessels, such as boats or ships, from docks or slipways. They ensure the safe and efficient launching and recovery of watercraft, often working at marinas, boatyards, or ports. Their duties typically include handling winches, ramps, and cradles, coordinating with boat owners or crew, and performing routine maintenance on launch equipment. Safety and attention to detail are crucial in this role to prevent accidents and damage to vessels.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a launch operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Launch Operator, you need strong mechanical aptitude, attention to safety protocols, and often a relevant certification or license such as a marine or boating license. Familiarity with vessel operation systems, radio communication equipment, and basic maintenance tools is typically required. Excellent situational awareness, clear communication, and teamwork are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient handling of vessels and passengers, reducing risk and enhancing operational reliability.

What are some typical challenges faced by a launch operator, and how can they be managed effectively?

Launch Operators often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple teams under tight schedules, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols, and quickly troubleshooting technical issues that arise during launch operations. Effective communication and a thorough understanding of standard operating procedures are essential for managing these challenges. Staying updated with safety training and participating in regular drills can also help Launch Operators remain prepared for unexpected situations, ensuring smooth and safe operations.

What is the difference between Launch Operator vs Rocket Technician?

AspectLaunch OperatorRocket Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require technical certificationsTechnical diploma or certification in aerospace or mechanical fields
Work EnvironmentLaunch sites, control centers, and testing facilitiesManufacturing plants, testing labs, and launch sites
Industry UsagePrimarily in space agencies, aerospace companies, and defense contractorsIn aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, and testing facilities

While both Launch Operators and Rocket Technicians work in the aerospace industry and may share similar environments, Launch Operators focus on overseeing launch procedures and operations, ensuring safety and compliance. Rocket Technicians are more involved in the maintenance, assembly, and testing of rocket components. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the space industry.

What are popular job titles related to Launch Operator jobs in California?

For Launch Operator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Launch Operator jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Launch Operator jobs in California are:

Launch Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Launch Operator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, 47% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,045 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space- delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers' portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

Would you like to be part of a dynamic team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions? In this position you will help lead a team of talented individuals to provide operational support to NSSL launches and evaluate the certification of launch systems in support of United States Space Force (USSF) programs.


The Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer (VSE) role will primarily support the Aerospace New Glenn Chief engineer on the certification and launch operations of the New Glenn launch system in the Launch Systems Operations & Development (LSOD) sub-division, which is responsible for the technical evaluation and flight certification of the New Glenn launch system. The position will provide technical leadership and apply launch vehicle systems engineering expertise to ensure the launch system meets USSF requirements, and assist in ensuring the effective execution of the Aerospace launch verification processes through a range of activities including Design Certification Reviews (DCR), Chief Engineer's Review Boards (ChERB), non-recurring design validation (NRDV) assessments, and launch vehicle flight readiness verification through completion of tasks in the Launch Verification Matrix (LVM). The VSE will be tasked with special projects directly from the New Glenn Chief Engineer in addition to other broader tasks for the program. LSOD is a sub-division of the Aerospace Launch Systems Directorate, which is responsible for the successful execution of NSSL missions for the USSF and the National Reconnaissance Organization.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA.

What You'll Be Doing:

  • Work closely with New Glenn Chief Engineer, technical discipline leads and ETG to execute systems engineering special projects and developing risk packages for ChERB
  • Provide systems engineering expertise to ensure timely mission assurance task execution (e.g. ChERBs, NRDV assessments, and LVM tasks) to support the Space Force certification/launch timeline
  • Coordinate and maintain support for the evaluation of the New Glenn Launch System design, operational capabilities, and mission assurance
  • Support critical milestone reviews for New Glenn certification and operation (e.g., Aerospace Readiness Reviews, Aerospace President's Review, Flight Readiness Reviews and launch site readiness)
  • Offer technical and programmatic consultation and customer recommendations regarding issues and findings impacting launch readiness
  • Responsible for systems engineering tasks such as JIRA/Confluence development and maintenance
  • Develop digital engineering tools and processes to improve efficiency
  • Prepare briefings and report mission specific assessments for internal and external reviews as required

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer - Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution
  • 6 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
  • Exposure to manufacturing and production issues related to launch system hardware
  • Experience working with diverse and multidisciplinary teams to solve technical issues, especially as related to anomaly and failure investigations
  • Willingness to travel domestically approximately 25%
  • This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Project Engineer - Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering include:

  • 10 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
  • Proven experience with manufacturing and production issues related to launch system hardware
  • Proven experience leading diverse and multidisciplinary teams to solve technical issues, especially as related to anomaly and failure investigations

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

  • Advanced degree in engineering or related field
  • A broad set of skills to work diverse problems is highly desired
  • Knowledge and experience in the execution of Aerospace mission assurance processes
  • Understanding of launch systems and system-level requirements
  • Experience with systems engineering and requirements verification
  • Effective interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customer and corporate staff

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$117,300.00 - $226,900.00Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

  • Operate Strategically
  • Lead Change
  • Engage with Impact
  • Foster Innovation
  • Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

  • Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

  • 401(k) Plan - Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

  • Flexible spending accounts

  • Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

  • Relocation assistance

  • Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

  • Education assistance programs

  • An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other-the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color,religion,geneticinformation, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you're an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by emailatpeoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

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