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Satellite Controller Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

K2 Space

Senior Firmware Engineer, Vehicle

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $220K/yr

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels ... S. Person." The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by ...

K2 Space

Senior Firmware Engineer, Vehicle

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $220K/yr

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels ... S. Person." The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by ...

K2 Space

Senior Mechanisms Engineer, Optical

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels ... controller development, electromechanical mechanisms, or electrical/mechanical design or testing

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Showing results 21-40

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Satellite Controller information

See California salary details

$54.3K

$117.9K

$173.2K

How much do satellite controller jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for satellite controller in California is $117,932.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,700.00 and $136,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a satellite controller?

A Satellite Controller is responsible for monitoring, operating, and maintaining communication, weather, or research satellites. They track satellite performance, adjust its operations as needed, and troubleshoot any technical issues. Controllers work in ground stations, ensuring the satellite remains in optimal condition and fulfills its mission. They may also coordinate with engineers and mission planners to support satellite maneuvers and data transmission. This role requires strong technical skills and the ability to respond quickly to anomalies.

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

To thrive as a Satellite Controller, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, physics, or a related technical field, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with satellite control software, telemetry systems, and industry certifications such as ITIL or SCJP is highly valued. Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These skills ensure precision, safety, and seamless operations when monitoring and controlling critical satellite systems.

What are the typical work shifts and work environment like for satellite controllers?

Satellite Controllers often work in secure operations centers that require 24/7 monitoring, so shift work—including nights, weekends, and holidays—is common. The environment is typically team-oriented with close collaboration among controllers, engineers, and operations managers to ensure satellite health and rapid response to anomalies. Controllers spend much of their time monitoring data streams, coordinating scheduled maneuvers, and troubleshooting any issues that arise. The role is well-suited for those who thrive in structured, high-responsibility settings and enjoy working as part of a team dedicated to maintaining mission-critical infrastructure.

What are popular job titles related to Satellite Controller jobs in California?

For Satellite Controller jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Satellite Controller jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Satellite Controller jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Satellite Controller jobs?

Cities in California with the most Satellite Controller job openings:

Satellite Controller jobs near you
Infographic showing various Satellite Controller job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 57% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 42% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,932 per year, or $56.7 per hour.

Senior Software Development Engineer, Amazon Leo Optical Inter-Satellite Link

Amazon

Northridge, CA • On-site

$131K - $173K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,154 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 39 rated national retailers

Job description

Amazon LEO is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Its mission is to bring fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Amazon LEO will help close the digital divide by delivering reliable, high-speed connectivity to a wide range of customers, including consumers, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations operating in places without dependable internet access.
Innovation is part of our DNA

Our goal is to be Earth's most customer-centric company, and we are just getting started. We need people who want to join this ambitious program that continues to push the state of the art in distributed systems and software design. Come work at Amazon!
Export Control Requirement: Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S

citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Key job responsibilities
Design, implement, and enhance the switch-management software - from translating routes received from a centralized SDN controller into forwarding-table entries, to building MAC-learning and loop-prevention logic for a redundant switch topology - that enables deterministic, low-latency packet forwarding across the constellation
Design and optimize the networking layers of flight software for optical inter-satellite link systems, spanning network device drivers and protocol implementations on embedded Linux
Collaborate with cross-functional teams - including hardware, optics, systems, communications, and operations engineers - to integrate, test, and deploy high-speed optical communication systems and the networking stack that underpins space-based connectivity
Build and extend operational tooling for network diagnostics and observability - including routing-table inspection, packet capture and analysis, structured logging, and metrics emission - that enables rapid fault isolation and performance trending across the satellite mesh
A day in the life
As a Software Engineer on the Optical Inter-Satellite Link team, you won't just write code - you'll see it fly

Your software will control and monitor high-speed laser communications between satellites moving at orbital velocities, and you'll be there for every stage of the journey: from early design and ground-based verification to watching your code commission an optical link for the first time in orbit. On the networking side, you'll design and debug the switching fabric that routes traffic across the constellation - ensuring packets traverse inter-satellite links with minimal latency and maximum reliability.
About the team
You will join a multi-disciplinary team of exceptional engineers whose work spans an unusually broad scope: embedded flight software running on satellites in orbit, cloud-based systems powering mission and network operations, automation frameworks that keep a growing constellation healthy, and AI-driven capabilities that make our optical links smarter with every orbit. We collaborate closely with optical, electrical, firmware, opto-mechanical, and operations teams - and with partner organizations including Mission Operations and Optical Network Operations - to deliver one of the most advanced optical communication systems ever built.

What Amazon employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate, computer and electronic product manufacturing and software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US

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