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Spacecraft Design Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

W3Global Inc.

Project Engineer

Houston, TX

$85K - $125K/yr

Coordinate with internal engineering teams, including systems engineering, spacecraft design, and mission operations, to ensure payload compatibility and readiness. * Conduct and support technical ...

The Aerospace Corporation

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Our team provides expert technical assistance for architecture design, spacecraft design, ground operations, mission integration, and advanced development and field testing. You will collaborate with ...

The Aerospace Corporation

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Our team provides expert technical assistance for architecture design, spacecraft design, ground operations, mission integration, and advanced development and field testing. You will collaborate with ...

Protouch Staffing

Payload Engineer

Houston, TX

$80K - $130K/yr

Coordinate with systems engineering, spacecraft design, mission operations, and testing teams to ensure payload compatibility * Support Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs), Critical Design Reviews ...

AVTC Group

Thermal Engineer - Spacecraft

Houston, TX · On-site

Thermal control system design and analysis for spacesuits, spacecraft, launch vehicles, and/or ... missile systems * Development of environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) or related ...

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Spacecraft Design information

See Texas salary details

$16

$47

$68

How much do spacecraft design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for spacecraft design in Texas is $47.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.49 and $57.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a spacecraft design?

A Spacecraft Design job involves creating and developing spacecraft, including satellites, probes, and crewed vehicles. Engineers in this field work on structural design, propulsion systems, thermal management, avionics, and overall mission requirements. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software, perform simulations, and collaborate with scientists to ensure the spacecraft meets its intended purpose. This role requires expertise in aerospace engineering, physics, and materials science.

What is a typical team structure for a spacecraft design project?

Spacecraft Design projects usually involve multidisciplinary teams composed of aerospace engineers, systems engineers, propulsion specialists, avionics experts, and project managers. Each team member focuses on a specific subsystem, such as structural integrity, power management, or communications, and collaborates closely to integrate these components into a cohesive design. Frequent collaboration, design reviews, and cross-functional meetings are common, ensuring all parts work flawlessly together. This collaborative structure fosters knowledge sharing and innovation while maintaining strict adherence to technical requirements and project milestones.

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

To excel in Spacecraft Design, candidates typically require a degree in aerospace engineering or a related field, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in physics and mathematics. Experience with CAD software, simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards such as NASA or ESA guidelines are highly valued. Strong teamwork, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills help professionals collaborate and innovate in multidisciplinary environments. These competencies ensure cutting-edge and reliable spacecraft solutions that meet rigorous performance and safety requirements.

What are the most commonly searched types of Spacecraft Design jobs in Texas?

The most popular types of Spacecraft Design jobs in Texas are:

What are popular job titles related to Spacecraft Design jobs in Texas?

For Spacecraft Design jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Spacecraft Design jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Spacecraft Design jobs in Texas are:

Spacecraft Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Spacecraft Design job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,229 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

Spacecraft Thermal Engineer I

Firefly Aerospace

Cedar Park, TX • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Firefly Aerospace rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.
SUMMARY
Firefly Thermal Engineers apply world-class simulation skills and expert knowledge of heat transfer to solve complex cross-discipline problems encountered during launch vehicle and spacecraft design, development, and operations. Intense thermal radiation, aero heating, cryogenics, and vacuum culminate in a complex thermal problem with a wide array of solutions. Thermal engineers will deconstruct these complex issues to ensure Firefly vehicles meet customer requirements and conform to external safety standards, while reducing margin and driving future evolution of the vehicle thermal systems.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Determines effective analytical approaches for executing vehicle-level trade studies
  • Owns vehicle level spacecraft thermal models
  • Creates sub-models for key thermal events to capture effects of engine & plume radiation, Lunar regolith modeling, and other phenomena
  • Develops thermal control solutions involving Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI), Radiator Covers, and other TCS technologies while assessing impacts to mission cost, schedule, risk
  • Coordinates thermal environments and vehicle design with customers (NASA, ESA, commercial, etc.)
  • Responsible for updating and correlating models based on thermal test data
  • Documents analysis and test for review by responsible engineers, peers, and customers

QUALIFICATIONS
Required
  • B.S. degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related field
  • 3+ years experience with Thermal Desktop and other industry analytical simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, COMSOL, SIMCENTER3D)
  • Ability to effectively work in a multi-discipline team and provide technical reports
  • Strong first principles grasp of heat transfer mechanisms
  • Familiar with spacecraft thermal control methods, hardware, technologies
  • Working knowledge of Python, MATLAB, MS Excel
  • Experience with thermal testing equipment and procedures
  • Strong design and integration skills using 3D CAD software
  • Demonstrated ability to address multi-tiered analytical problems and effectively communicate results

Desired
  • Advanced degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
  • 5+ years of experience in thermal analysis of aircraft or space vehicles during all phases of conceptual design through flight
  • Experience with ANSYS SpaceClaim, NX 3D Modeling, NX Space Systems Thermal
  • Experience developing physical tests to correlate and validate analysis
  • Experience creating MLI Layups, heater circuit design, active thermal control mechanisms, advanced spacecraft TCS technologies
  • Demonstrated experience with Thermal Desktop or ANSYS
  • Exposure to analysis or research planning at a program level, understanding where analysis fits into the greater development roadmap
  • Familiarity with GSFC-STD-7001B, SMC-S-016, RCC-319, Spacecraft Payload requirements
  • Understanding of advanced thermal-related phenomena such as combustion, diffuse thermal radiation, spectroscopy

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status

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