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Missile Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ARA

Staff Missile Test Engineer

Indian Head, MD · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Providing software and simulation expertise for operating and maintaining a FGT platform; and ... Engineering knowledge and experience in real-time software development, missile/flight simulation ...

KBR

Air and Missile Defense Exercise Planner

Fort Bliss, TX · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

Air and Missile Defense Exercise Planner Program Summary KBR's Missile, Aviation, and Ground ... Develop, refine, and maintain standard operating procedures and best practices that support 32d ...

True Anomaly

GNC Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

Design, test, and validate GNC flight software and embedded algorithms for missiles operating across multiple flight regimes and environmental conditions. * Develop and maintain navigation and state ...

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Missile Operator information

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How much do missile operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for missile operator in the United States is $21.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $25.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a missile operator?

Missile Operators are specialized military personnel responsible for the operation, monitoring, and maintenance of missile systems. They ensure that missiles are correctly armed, targeted, and launched according to mission requirements and strict safety protocols. Their duties also include conducting system checks, participating in training exercises, and responding to emergency situations. Missile Operators play a critical role in national defense, often working in highly secure environments and collaborating closely with other defense teams.

What are some common challenges faced by missile operators during training and live operations?

Missile Operators often encounter challenges such as mastering complex systems quickly, staying focused under pressure, and effectively communicating with other team members during high-stakes scenarios. The role requires constant vigilance, precision, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations. Training environments are rigorous to simulate real-world stress and ensure operators can respond accurately and efficiently, both in simulation and live operations. Collaboration with support teams and adherence to strict safety protocols are also essential to mission success.

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

To thrive as a Missile Operator, you need a solid background in electronics, mechanical systems, and military procedures, often supported by specialized military training and security clearance. Familiarity with missile guidance systems, radar, targeting software, and command-and-control platforms is typically required. Strong attention to detail, composure under pressure, and effective communication are vital soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure the safe, precise, and reliable operation of missile systems in high-stakes defense environments.

What is the difference between Missile Operator vs Radar Technician?

AspectMissile OperatorRadar Technician
CredentialsMilitary training, security clearanceTechnical certifications, electronics training
Work EnvironmentMilitary bases, missile silosRadar stations, defense facilities
Industry UsageDefense, militaryDefense, aerospace

Both Missile Operators and Radar Technicians work in defense environments, often requiring security clearances and specialized training. Missile Operators focus on launching and controlling missile systems, while Radar Technicians maintain and repair radar equipment. Understanding these roles helps clarify career paths within military and defense sectors.

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What job categories do people searching Missile Operator jobs look for?

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Missile Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Missile 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, with an average salary of $44,993 per year, or $21.6 per hour.

Missile Warning Systems Engineer - International Programs

Stellar Solutions

Arlington, VA • On-site

$120K - $141K/yr

Other

Medical, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Missile Warning Systems Engineer - International Programs
Job Locations US-VA-Arlington
ID 2026-2018 Category Systems Engineer Required Security Clearance Secret (SBI) Type Full-Time
Overview

Stellar Solutions, a nationally recognized "Great Place To Work", has exciting opportunities providing Engineering solutions for innovative new-entrant space companies, as well as established space systems manufacturers, commercial space system operators and service providers, and other industry stakeholders including investors.

At Stellar Solutions, we offer talented, energetic, and immediately productive resources to satisfy our customers' critical needs in systems engineering and integration, mission operations, program management and strategic planning. We are a leading service and expertise provider for high-tech commercial ventures, spanning communications, earth observation and remote sensing systems and data products, to the infrastructures that support earth orbiting and beyond earth orbit businesses.

Stellar Solutions is seeking a Missile Warning Systems Engineer - International Programs to provide technical and systems engineering expertise in support of a Government customer advancing international security cooperation in the space domain. This role will help integrate U.S. Space Force missile warning capabilities and programs of record into the Foreign Military Sales enterprise, enabling responsible delivery of mission capabilities to international partners. The position requires close coordination across technical, acquisition, policy, and international stakeholders and the ability to translate complex program information into decision-quality products for senior and executive-level leadership.

Role/Responsibilities/Qualifications

This position serves at the intersection of space systems engineering, acquisition, and international security cooperation, helping the Government navigate the technical and programmatic activities required to make missile warning capabilities available through Foreign Military Sales. The engineer will work directly with Government stakeholders and mission partners to coordinate technology release and foreign disclosure activities, track program progress, and ensure technical recommendations remain aligned with mission objectives and applicable Air Force policy.
Key Responsibilities include:

    Provide systems engineering expertise supporting the integration of U.S. Space Force missile warning programs of record into the Foreign Military Sales enterprise.
  • Support technical and programmatic activities required to enable the export of space mission capabilities to international partners.
  • Coordinate with Government, acquisition, technical, policy, and international stakeholders to advance Foreign Military Sales objectives.
  • Support technology release and foreign disclosure activities and associated coordination processes.
  • Assess customer and partner mission needs and translate operational requirements into technically informed recommendations and specifications.
  • Apply knowledge of the acquisition lifecycle and Foreign Military Sales policies, processes, and stakeholders to support program execution.
  • Develop high-quality written products, technical assessments, and programmatic documentation for Government leadership.
  • Prepare and deliver executive-level briefings communicating program status, milestones, technical considerations, and areas requiring leadership awareness or action.
  • Track programmatic milestones and support coordination across organizations to maintain alignment among technical, acquisition, and international security cooperation activities.
  • Communicate complex technical and programmatic information clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

  • 6+ years of experience with space operations.
  • 3+ years of experience supporting the missile warning mission area.
  • Knowledge of the acquisition lifecycle and Foreign Military Sales policies, processes, and stakeholders.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with executive-level stakeholders through written products and briefings.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint.
  • Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, mathematics, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field identified in the source requirements.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience with technology release and foreign disclosure policy and processes.
  • Knowledge of senior and executive leadership roles in security assistance and Foreign Military Sales and their relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Experience using Microsoft Power Platform tools such as Power BI.

Clearance & Additional Requirements

  • Active Top Secret clearance required
  • TS/SCI eligibility desired.

Location

This position is full-time, on site in Arlington, VA


Compensation

The typical salary range for this position is USD $120,000 - $141,000 per year. Individual pay is determined by many factors including work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for a comprehensive total rewards package that includes an annual performance bonus, an employer-funded Profit-Sharing Plan (PSP) contribution based on base compensation, and comprehensive employer-paid medical benefits, PTO pay-out options, along with additional company-sponsored benefits. All of these benefits represent an additional 30-40% to your base compensation for a total compensation package.

Deliverable(s)

Deliverables will be in the format of reports, briefings, spreadsheets, or other documents as directed by the Government, using government approved and/or mandated systems/software and processes governed by guidance/instructions/policy or direction.

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