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Lead Spacecraft System Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Spacecraft Engineer

Longmont, CO · On-site

$74K - $98K/yr

In this role, you will work as part of larger multi-disciplinary teams that include spacecraft system engineers, ground system engineers, software engineers and spacecraft operations teams.

Spacecraft Engineer

Westminster, CO · On-site

$74K - $98K/yr

In this role, you will work as part of larger multi-disciplinary teams that include spacecraft system engineers, ground system engineers, software engineers and spacecraft operations teams.

Spacecraft Engineer

Westminster, CO · On-site

$74K - $107K/yr

In this role, you will work as part of larger multi-disciplinary teams that include spacecraft system engineers, ground system engineers, software engineers and spacecraft operations teams.

Showing results 41-60

Lead Spacecraft System Engineer information

See salary details

$91K

$199.3K

$253K

How much do lead spacecraft system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead spacecraft system engineer in the United States is $199,327.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $167,000.00 and $253,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lead spacecraft system engineer do?

A Lead Spacecraft System Engineer is responsible for overseeing the design, integration, and overall functionality of a spacecraft's systems. They coordinate between various engineering teams to ensure all subsystems—such as propulsion, power, communications, and thermal control—work together seamlessly. Their role includes setting technical requirements, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring the spacecraft meets mission objectives and safety standards. They often act as the primary technical point of contact, guiding the project from concept through launch and operation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead spacecraft system engineer?

To excel as a Lead Spacecraft System Engineer, you need a deep understanding of spacecraft systems engineering, strong analytical skills, and typically a degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Familiarity with systems modeling tools (such as MATLAB and Simulink), requirements management software, and industry standards like ECSS or NASA guidelines is common. Exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills are crucial for coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects. These competencies are vital to ensure mission success, technical integrity, and seamless integration of diverse spacecraft subsystems.

How does a lead spacecraft system engineer typically collaborate with multidisciplinary teams during a mission's development cycle?

As a Lead Spacecraft System Engineer, you will frequently coordinate with specialists from various fields, such as propulsion, avionics, software, thermal, and structural engineering. You play a pivotal role in ensuring that subsystem requirements align with overall mission objectives and integrate seamlessly. Regular cross-team meetings, design reviews, and interface management are common, requiring strong communication and organizational skills. This collaborative environment helps identify potential issues early and ensures the spacecraft operates reliably as a cohesive system.

What is the difference between Lead Spacecraft System Engineer vs Spacecraft Systems Engineer?

AspectLead Spacecraft System EngineerSpacecraft Systems Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees system design, integration, and team coordinationSupports system development, testing, and technical tasks
Experience & CredentialsTypically requires extensive experience, often a master's or higher in engineeringRequires relevant engineering degree, less leadership focus
Work EnvironmentLeads multidisciplinary teams in aerospace projectsWorks within engineering teams on spacecraft subsystems
Industry UsageCommon in aerospace companies, NASA, defense contractorsUsed across similar organizations, often as a supporting role

The main difference is that the Lead Spacecraft System Engineer manages and coordinates the entire system development, while the Spacecraft Systems Engineer focuses on technical support and subsystem tasks. The lead role involves leadership and project oversight, whereas the systems engineer concentrates on technical execution within the team.

What are popular job titles related to Lead Spacecraft System Engineer jobs?

For Lead Spacecraft System Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Lead Spacecraft System Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $199,327 per year, or $95.8 per hour.

Spacecraft Systems Engineer (Associate, Experienced)

Seal Beach, CA • On-site

Boeing
Aviation • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 14 days ago


Boeing rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 618 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

34th of 547 rated manufacturers


Job description

Spacecraft Systems Engineer (Associate, Experienced)

Company:

The Boeing Company

Boeing Defense, Space & Security's (BDS's), Experimental Systems Group (ESG) seeks a Spacecraft Systems Engineer to join our team in either Seal Beach, CA; Aurora, CO; or El Segundo, CA. This is an opportunity to personally contribute to the development of new first-of-kind space vehicles and missions. The ESG portfolio consists of a range of platforms and technologies including the X-37B, the world's first fully autonomous reusable spaceplane, which is continuing to shape the future of space technology while currently flying its eighth mission.

As a member of our Systems Engineering Integration & Test (SEIT) Mission Design team, you work with a system architects, Concept of Operations (ConOps) developers, fault and autonomy designers, and Recommended Operating Procedure (ROP) authors.

Our development timelines are aggressive and you will be asked to develop solutions to previously unsolved problems. You will need to be able to dive into broad, minimally-defined design spaces and effectively lead integrated efforts.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to drive development and implementation of an optimal fault and autonomy architecture for your assigned program(s).
  • Be the point of contact for customers and work directly with subject matter experts to quickly identify achievable solutions that meet customer needs.
  • Support technology integration for and development of first-of-kind space vehicles and missions.
  • Develop and present review packages to internal and external senior leadership.
  • Ensure system hardware designs have adequate redundancy for required levels of fault tolerance.
  • Develop autonomy aligned with customer risk tolerance in the presence of anomalies.
  • Analyze system failure modes via failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) or fault tree analysis.
  • Develop software requirements for onboard fault protection to detect and isolate failures and transition to spacecraft safing modes.
  • Design autonomy or ground procedures to recover from failures.
  • Provide occasional on-call support for system anomalies.

This position is expected to be fully onsite in This position is expected to be fully onsite in either Seal Beach, CA; Aurora, CO; or El Segundo, CA.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

  • A United State Department of Defense Active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI). A clearance that was active within the past 24 months is generally considered active.
  • Minimum years of related experience: 1+ for level 2, 3+ for level 3.
  • Experience with systems or software engineering on space-based systems.
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology (including Manufacturing Technology), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • Experience with system fault and redundancy architecture design.
  • Experience with systems engineering practices (requirements definition, risk identification and management, fault tree generation, FMECA, etc.).
  • Master's degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics or chemistry.
  • 3+ years of systems engineering experience.
  • 2+ years of project management experience. PMP.
  • Strong spoken, written, and visual communication skills.
  • Experience working with cross-functional teams and external customers.
  • Experience in spacecraft, launch vehicles, autonomous systems, or unmanned systems.
  • Experience with failure analysis techniques (e.g., Fault Tree, FMECA).
  • Experience with spacecraft mission operations.
  • Broad knowledge across spacecraft subsystems.

Typical Education & Experience:

Associate (level 2): Education/experience typically acquired through advanced technical education from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), computer science, engineering data science, mathematics, physics or chemistry (e.g. Bachelor) and typically 2 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience or non-US equivalent qualifications. In the USA, ABET accreditation is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.

Experienced (level 3): Education/experience typically acquired through advanced technical education from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), computer science, engineering data science, mathematics, physics or chemistry (e.g. Bachelor) and typically 5 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience or non-US equivalent qualifications. In the USA, ABET accreditation is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.

Conflict of Interest:

Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company's Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.

Drug Free Workplace:

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Shift:

Ability and willingness to work occasional compensated ad hoc support outside of typical business hours.

Relocation:

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility. (Basic relocation will be offered for eligible internal candidates.)

Pay & Benefits:

At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Summary Pay Range

Associate (level 2): $100,300 - $135,700

Experienced (level 3): $124,100 - $167,900

Language Requirements:

Not Applicable

Education:

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

Relocation:

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Export Control Requirement:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.62 is required. "U.S. Person" includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Safety Sensitive:

This is not a Safety Sensitive Position.

Security Clearance:

This position requires an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

Visa Sponsorship:

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Contingent Upon Award Program

This position is not contingent upon program award

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

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Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

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About Boeing

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At Boeing, we are all innovators on a mission to connect, protect, explore and inspire. From the sea bed to outer space, you'll learn and grow, contributing to work that shapes the world. Find your future with us.

Industry

Aviation and aerospace product and parts manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US