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Satellite Operations Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$142 - $263/hr

Working knowledge of RF and DSP concepts, sufficient to reason about satellite system behavior * Small, fast-moving space programs where operations engineers write and own the software they operate

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Satellite Operator As our Mission Operator, you will work closely with mission operations engineers, hardware engineers, and software engineers writing and executing standard operating procedures ...

Engineer, Satellite Platform Engineering The Engineer, Satellite Engineering is part of an EU and ... You will develop satellite operations procedures, products, and processes based on manufacturer ...

Engineer, Satellite Platform Engineering The Engineer, Satellite Engineering is part of an EU and ... You will develop satellite operations procedures, products, and processes based on manufacturer ...

DevOps Engineer

Suitland, MD · On-site +1

$56.75 - $77.75/hr

We support some of the nation's most critical and demanding projects including satellite operations ... Engineer position We are looking for a talented engineer with in-depth experience in AWS DevOps ...

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Satellite Operations Engineer information

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How much do satellite operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for satellite operations engineer in the United States is $85,029.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,500.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a satellite operations engineer?

A Satellite Operations Engineer is responsible for monitoring, controlling, and maintaining the health and performance of satellites in orbit. They operate ground control systems, analyze telemetry data, troubleshoot anomalies, and implement corrective actions to ensure continuous satellite functionality. Their role may involve planning satellite maneuvers, coordinating with mission teams, and supporting pre-launch testing. Strong analytical skills, knowledge of satellite communication systems, and experience with ground station operations are essential for this role.

What does a satellite operations engineer do?

A typical day for a Satellite Operations Engineer involves monitoring satellite performance, analyzing telemetry data, and coordinating responses to any anomalies or unexpected events. You may participate in shift work to ensure 24/7 operational coverage, collaborate with hardware engineers, mission planners, and ground station teams, and document system status or updates. Regular tasks include executing command sequences, supporting satellite launches or maneuvers, and preparing detailed reports for senior engineers and management. This role combines technical hands-on work with real-time problem-solving and teamwork, providing a dynamic and impactful work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a satellite operations engineer?

To thrive as a Satellite Operations Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, physics, or a related technical field, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with satellite control systems, mission planning software, telemetry, and (where applicable) industry certifications such as ITAR or FCC licensure is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for success in this role. These competencies are essential to ensure the reliable operation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of satellites in a highly collaborative and mission-critical environment.

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Infographic showing various Satellite Operations Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,029 per year, or $40.9 per hour.

Software Engineer, Satellite Operations

Apple

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Apple rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 677 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

At Apple, we strive every single day to craft products that enrich people's lives. Our successes are the result of skilled domain experts working in an environment which encourages creativity, collaboration, and re-thinking of old problems in new ways! As a member of the Satellite Connectivity Group, you will work on the satellite network that enables connectivity to iPhone and Watch Ultra when off the grid without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Every day, Apple customers use Emergency SOS, Roadside assistance, and Messages via satellite to stay connected when they have no other means to communicate. You will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to shape this and other critical services, to the benefit and safety of millions of Apple device users.
The Satellite Connectivity Group is hiring a software engineer to build automation and runtime infrastructure behind our communication satellite network. Our premise is that a satellite network should be run the way modern software services are run - through code, APIs, and instrumentation rather than manual console work. You will sit on the seam between the satellite network, the cloud services that connect to it, and our operations partners that control it.
You will partner with hardware, cloud, and operations teams on root-cause investigations. You will carry the pager for the systems you build. The software you write will be foundational for a connectivity service for millions of users worldwide.
Description
You will join the team responsible for developing, deploying, and keeping connectivity services healthy end-to-end. On a given week you might trace a telemetry discrepancy from a cloud service through the ground system, script a new network test case, extend the continuous delivery (CD) pipeline that ships system health tooling, and write the procedure that lets the on-call engineer resolve the same issue next time without paging you.
We expect the person in this seat to automate their own job continuously - to replace manual steps with tested code, and to leave behind procedures precise enough that someone else can execute correctly.
You will work from design documents and interface control documents (ICDs), and you will be expected to reason through large, unfamiliar codebases on your own.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering
5+ years of software engineering experience, including production Python
Experience with developing automation of (preferred) satellite constellations or fleets of autonomous vehicles/drones
Ability to independently navigate and reason about large, unfamiliar code repositories spanning both embedded and cloud-based software
Hands-on fluency with Linux and Mac OS, cloud service APIs, modern command-line usage and HTTP tooling
Experience working with CI and production CD pipelines for a software service
Experience using design documents and ICDs as foundations for an operational service
Preferred Qualifications
Experience operating a satellite constellation in production, serving real users
Embedded software development, and hands-on work with hardware in a lab environment
Working knowledge of RF and DSP concepts, sufficient to reason about satellite system behavior
Small, fast-moving space programs where operations engineers write and own the software they operate
Experience leading, or serving as a core member of, a 24/7 operations team
Building an SOP or runbook framework from scratch, not just executing an existing one
Experience leveraging AI tools to quicky reason about and prototype new systems

What Apple employees say

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976