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Space Mission Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Next Matter

Mission Design Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Mission Design Engineer As a Mission Design Engineer, you will lead mission-level analysis and system design using advanced modeling and simulation tools such as AFSIM and EADSIM . You will evaluate ...

3M HEALTHCARE

WI · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and ... An advanced opportunity awaits an Advanced Mission Design Engineer to join the JETS Advanced ...

Inversion

Staff Mission Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

We see space not as a destination, but as a platform - one that unlocks unprecedented speed and ... As the Staff Mission Design Engineer, you will own the mission-level view of that trade space for ...

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How much do space mission design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for space mission design engineer in the United States is $50.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.18 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a space mission design engineer do?

A Space Mission Design Engineer is responsible for planning, designing, and analyzing space missions, including satellites, spacecraft, and exploration probes. They determine mission objectives, select appropriate technologies, and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the mission's success. Their work involves trajectory design, payload integration, risk assessment, and ensuring that all technical requirements are met within cost and schedule constraints. These engineers play a crucial role in turning scientific and exploratory goals into practical, executable missions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a space mission design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Space Mission Design Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, orbital mechanics, and systems engineering, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with mission analysis tools such as STK, MATLAB, and simulation software, as well as knowledge of NASA or ESA standards, is essential. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and clear communication are vital soft skills for collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring mission feasibility, safety, and the successful integration of all technical aspects in space missions.

What are some common challenges faced by space mission design engineers during the mission planning process?

Space Mission Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing complex trade-offs between mission objectives, budget constraints, and technical limitations. They must collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams—including systems engineers, scientists, and payload specialists—to ensure all requirements are met while maintaining mission feasibility. Additionally, adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and unforeseen technical issues during the design phase is common, requiring strong problem-solving skills and flexibility. Effective communication and iterative design reviews are essential to successfully navigate these challenges.

What are popular job titles related to Space Mission Design Engineer jobs?

For Space Mission Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Space Mission Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,435 per year, or $50.7 per hour.

Mission Software Design Engineer

Titusville, FL • On-site

Associates Systems LLC
Engineering Professional Services • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Associates Systems LLCexternal

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Mission Software Design Engineer
Onsite Kennedy Space Center /  Florida - No Hybrid or remote is available.
NASA or AEROSPACE Exp
US Citizens or Perm Residents Only
These are immediate interviews for the right candidates.
We are looking for a Mission Design Engineer   to join our team to support Space flight programs
The Mission Design Engineer provides support on behalf of our customers to determine, negotiate and implement mission-enabling Mission Design requirements for spacecraft systems and associated hardware.  Additionally, this position will perform independent modeling and simulation tool development and analysis to support independent verification and validation (IV&V) of requirements and work closely with the mission design team.
This position will be filled at either the Senior Engineer or Subject Matter Expert level, depending on qualifications, with salary commensurate with experience.
As a Mission Design Engineer you will:
  • Assist with software development and scripting of  trajectory optimization tools and related applications.
  • Develop new features and algorithms
  • Perform refactoring and improvements to the architecture for program efficiency.
  • Perform Integration with other trajectory software and tools.
  • General program maintenance and fixes.
  • Ensure requirements are satisfied by design solutions and support production/control board meetings, design, and system reviews.
  • Regression testing and documentation.
  • Provide trajectory products supporting spacecraft mission design & analysis
  • Perform trajectory optimization runs to characterize vehicle performance and mission availability for a variety of scenarios.
  • Development, integration and testing of new algorithms for evaluation of vehicle and mission performance.
  • Mission scenarios include ascent, entry, precision landing, and Rendezvous Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD).
  • Travel as required in support of technical reviews and exchanges. 
  • Provide recommendations for program acceptance of requirements verification, testing, risks and hazards. 
  • Perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
  • BS degree in engineering from an accredited engineering school and 8 years of experience with spacecraft trajectory analysis or master’s degree in engineering with 4 years of experience with spacecraft trajectory analysis.
  • The candidate must have demonstrated capability to independently devise solutions to complex engineering problems by their own efforts and by soliciting inputs from other technical experts.
  • Expertise in orbital mechanics and/or spacecraft mission design.
  • Experience in programming and scripting languages such as modern Fortran, Python, and/or C++.
  • Experience working in a team environment.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation.
     
Preferred Qualifications:
  • MS in Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in orbital mechanics and 5-10 years of spacecraft and cislunar trajectory design experience.
  • Lunar lander trajectory design experience.
  • Expertise in spacecraft trajectory optimization, including use of software tools such as Copernicus, GMAT, MONTE, STK, or FreeFlyer.
  • Experience in spacecraft guidance, navigation, control algorithms and software.
  • Experience with deep space missions.
  • Experience with deep space mission systems engineering including coordinating system requirements verification and validation between multiple organizations and centers.
  • Experience with deep space and/or human rated space flight.

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