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Planetary Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Blue Origin

Engineer - Test III

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

At our Southern California location, we look to "Touch Life" by supporting planetary science, including every NASA Mars rover since Spirit and Opportunity. We aim to "Mine the Sky" through the ...

Blue Origin LLC

Engineer - Test III

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$121.02 - $169.43/hr

At our Southern California location, we look to "Touch Life" by supporting planetary science, including every NASA Mars rover since Spirit and Opportunity. We aim to "Mine the Sky" through the ...

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How much do planetary science jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for planetary science in the United States is $48,391.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $52,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is planetary science?

A Planetary Science job involves studying planets, moons, asteroids, and other celestial bodies to understand their composition, atmospheres, geology, and potential for life. Scientists in this field use data from telescopes, spacecraft, and lab experiments to analyze planetary systems. Careers in planetary science can be in academia, government agencies like NASA, or private space industries, focusing on research, exploration, and mission planning.

What are some typical projects or research areas that planetary scientists work on?

Planetary scientists commonly work on projects involving the study of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets both within our solar system and beyond. Their work may include analyzing data from space missions, simulating planetary environments, studying surface composition and atmospheric conditions, or investigating planetary formation and evolution. These projects often require close collaboration with astronomers, geologists, physicists, and engineers. Depending on your specific focus, you may spend your days in a lab, working with computer models, or participating in field studies to analog sites on Earth, offering a dynamic and varied work environment.

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

To thrive in Planetary Science, you need a strong background in physics, geology, astronomy, and data analysis, often supported by an advanced degree in a related scientific field. Familiarity with remote sensing technologies, laboratory instrumentation, programming languages (such as Python or MATLAB), and experience with scientific data processing tools is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, effective written and verbal communication, and an aptitude for teamwork are essential soft skills. These competencies enable planetary scientists to conduct rigorous research, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and contribute valuable insights to our understanding of planetary bodies.

Are planetary scientists in demand?

Planetary scientists are in moderate demand, primarily in research institutions, government agencies, and space agencies like NASA and ESA. Employment opportunities depend on research funding, project availability, and advanced skills in data analysis, remote sensing, and planetary geology.

What can you do with a degree in planetary science?

A degree in planetary science prepares individuals for careers in research, space agencies, and academia, focusing on planetary systems, celestial bodies, and space exploration. Graduates often work as planetary scientists, research analysts, or mission planners, utilizing skills in data analysis, remote sensing, and scientific instrumentation. Advanced positions may require further education or specialized training in astrophysics or engineering.
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Cities with the most Planetary Science job openings:

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Planetary Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Planetary Science job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,391 per year, or $23.3 per hour.

Mission Operations Responsible Engineer/Scientist

Relativity Space

Long Beach, CA • On-site

$73K - $98K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Relativity Space rating

9.7

Company rating: 9.7 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

About the Team: 

The Interplanetary Sciences Program was established to expand access to scientific exploration across our solar system. Its mission is to make planetary research faster, more affordable, and more capable than ever before by rethinking how science missions are designed, built, and operated. The program aims to enable scientists to send instruments to distant worlds without decades of development or prohibitive costs. By creating a sustainable model for interplanetary exploration, we are transforming space science from an occasional event into a continuous process of discovery that accelerates knowledge, broadens participation, and inspires the next generation of explorers.

About the Role:

We are seeking an operations responsible engineer to lead the planning, design, and execution of spacecraft operations for the Interplanetary Program's first mission. This role carries end-to-end ownership of how the spacecraft is operated - from defining the operations architecture and working directly with multiple science and instrument teams to executing operations that maximize science data collection within real-world spacecraft constraints. Automating spacecraft operations to increase spacecraft capability and efficiency is also a key goal.

This is a senior, highly technical, high-ownership role on a lean team in a fast-moving commercial environment. We are looking for someone who is energized by the challenge of building an operations system that can run a complex, multi-instrument science mission millions of kilometers away and finds deep satisfaction in maximizing the science returned by the mission.

About You

  • Bachelor's degree in planetary science, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline
  • 5+ years of experience in planetary missions, with demonstrated progression into increasing ownership
  • Experience with scripting (e.g., Python) for data analysis or operational tasks
  • Proficiency working in Linux/Unix environments
  • Ability to reason through cross-subsystem interactions and their operational implications, make decisions with incomplete information and under time pressure
  • Excellent communication skills across technical disciplines: engineering, science, software

Nice to haves but not required

  • Experience with deep-space mission operations, including surface or orbital science campaigns
  • Experience designing onboard autonomy, automated scheduling systems, or ground-based automation frameworks for flight operations

During critical mission phases including launch, commissioning, cruise maneuvers and early operations this position will require shift work and on-call availability. Schedule flexibility will be needed as operational needs evolve. Occasional travel (<10%) to partner institutions and mission integration sites may be required.

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