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Spacecraft Control Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Spacecraft Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

The Spacecraft Systems Engineer will use their technical expertise to define and manage subsystem specifications, interface control documents, the concept of operations, and system performance ...

Showing results 41-60

Spacecraft Control Engineer information

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$42K

$108.6K

$165K

How much do spacecraft control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for spacecraft control engineer in the United States is $108,638.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Spacecraft Control Engineer vs Satellite Operations Engineer?

AspectSpacecraft Control EngineerSatellite Operations Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering; certifications in spacecraft systemsBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace, Electrical, or related fields; certifications in satellite systems
Work EnvironmentMission control centers, spacecraft testing facilities, ground stationsGround stations, mission control, satellite operation centers
Employer & IndustrySpace agencies, aerospace companies, defense contractorsTelecommunications firms, satellite service providers, aerospace companies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both roles involve managing and maintaining spacecraft or satellite systems, often requiring similar technical skills and certifications. The main difference is that Spacecraft Control Engineers focus on spacecraft during missions, ensuring proper operation and troubleshooting, while Satellite Operations Engineers primarily manage satellite functions from ground stations, including scheduling and data handling.

What are popular job titles related to Spacecraft Control Engineer jobs?

For Spacecraft Control Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Spacecraft Control Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Cleared Guidance and Control Engineer

Pasadena, CA • On-site

M&S Consulting
IT Services • 11 - 50 employees

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

M&S (which stands for Management and Solutions) was conceived in 2002 with the vision of creating highly effective teams of elite consultants to deliver strategic process and technology solutions to enterprise organizations across the US. Our commitment to delivery in complex environments and long-term customer success has merged process and technology into innovative solutions, established deep pockets of expertise, and enabled innovative transformation for evolving businesses.

We have intentionally cultivated steady growth focused on being approachable and helpful to our dearly valued clients and closely cared-for employees. M&S people simply “care hard”, and this reflects in our work products, our interactions, and our culture.

Overview:

As a cleared Guidance and Control Engineer, you will work for the Guidance and Control Section in the Control Analysis Group. You will contribute to the advancement and development of spacecraft and payload/instrument guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) architectures, designs, algorithms, simulations, flight software implementations, performance validation and on-orbit commissioning and operations.

Responsibilities include:
  • Conceiving, designing, analyzing, simulating, and evaluating complex GNC subsystem performance
  • Delivering advanced algorithms and associated flight software code for integration and test at the GNC subsystem and system level
  • Developing and executing detailed subsystem test and verification plans at the system level
  • Leading teams that develop and operate GNC systems and coordinating the validation and documentation of subsystem performance prior to delivery
Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field with at least 6 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with at least 4 years of experience; or a PhD with at least 2 years of experience.

Required:
  • Active TS/SCI clearance
  • Strong technical background in modern guidance, estimation, and control for aerospace systems
  • Experience in the research and development of advanced GNC systems for precision pointing
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams and lead technical efforts; excellent communication and presentation skills
Highly desired experience includes:
  • GNC system architectures
  • Precision payload dynamics and controls
  • Advanced control methods (linear and nonlinear)
  • Estimation (Kalman filtering, random processes, nonlinear filtering, computer vision)
  • Linear and nonlinear dynamics, multi-rigid-body dynamics
  • On-board guidance and navigation (optimization, convex methods)
  • Attitude estimation and control
  • Precision pointing control
  • Pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems
  • GNC for autonomous aerial vehicles
  • Rotorcraft dynamics and control
  • Vision-based navigation
  • Terrain-relative navigation (TRN)
  • 3D lidar-based navigation
  • Fast steering mirror control
  • High-bandwidth mechatronics
  • Active and passive vibration control
  • Control of gimbaled or articulated platforms
  • Controlled optics
  • Optical wavefront and path-length control
  • Structural modeling and finite element analysis
  • GNC-related on-board and ground calibration
  • Integrated modeling (flexible structures/optics/thermal, dynamics and control)
  • Time-domain simulation and multi-rate systems
  • Small spacecraft design
  • Multi-vehicle formation flying
  • Control of large monolithic or segmented telescopes
  • Control of large distributed systems
  • Aerodynamic control for deep-space planetary exploration
  • Comfortable working with Matlab/Simulink
Additional desired experience:
  • Strong background in technology development
  • Experience with instrument/optical pointing systems and integrated GNC hardware/software
  • Experience with lasers, detectors, fast steering mirrors, and high-rate control systems
  • Experience in autonomous system design and spacecraft autonomy
  • Demonstrated ability to manage cost and schedule in new technology development
  • General familiarity with signal processing
Additional Requirements:
  • Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • This is an onsite role. It is not remote. Must be in or near Pasadena, CA
  • Must have an Active TS/SCI clearance

M&S Consulting proactively fulfills its role as an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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