Spacecraft Space Systems Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a ...
Spacecraft Space Systems Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a ...
Spacecraft Space Systems Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a ...
Spacecraft Space Systems Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a ...
Systems Engineer - Level 3
Gilbert, AZ · On-site
This position will support a spacecraft product line as a Vehicle Responsible Engineer (VRE) in Gilbert, AZ. The VRE reports to the LSE and Program Manager and helps support integration and test of a ...
Systems Engineer - Level 3
Gilbert, AZ · On-site
This position will support a spacecraft product line as a Vehicle Responsible Engineer (VRE) in Gilbert, AZ. The VRE reports to the LSE and Program Manager and helps support integration and test of a ...
Principal Mechanical Engineer / Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer
Gilbert, AZ · On-site
$98K - $147K/yr
Support spacecraft integration and testing phases. * Collaborate across teams to ensure alignment ... Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 5+ years of relevant ...
Principal Mechanical Engineer / Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer
Gilbert, AZ · On-site
$98K - $147K/yr
Support spacecraft integration and testing phases. * Collaborate across teams to ensure alignment ... Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 5+ years of relevant ...
Spacecraft Payload Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a Spacecraft ...
Spacecraft Payload Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a Spacecraft ...
Spacecraft Payload Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a Spacecraft ...
Spacecraft Payload Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a Spacecraft ...
Principal Mechanical Engineer / Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer
Gilbert, AZ · On-site
$98K - $147K/yr
Support spacecraft integration and testing phases. * Collaborate across teams to ensure alignment ... Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 5+ years of relevant ...
Principal Mechanical Engineer / Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer
Gilbert, AZ · On-site
$98K - $147K/yr
Support spacecraft integration and testing phases. * Collaborate across teams to ensure alignment ... Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 5+ years of relevant ...
Space Mission Requirements and Planning Systems Engineer II (Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented...
As a systems engineer on a hardworking team of specialists and engineers, you will lead the Mission ... This role will begin with a first-of-its-kind spacecraft in development and grow with the product ...
Space Mission Requirements and Planning Systems Engineer II (Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented...
As a systems engineer on a hardworking team of specialists and engineers, you will lead the Mission ... This role will begin with a first-of-its-kind spacecraft in development and grow with the product ...
Principal Electrical Engineer
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$131K - $160K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Principal Electrical Engineer
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$131K - $160K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Principal Electrical Engineer
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$120 - $150/hr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... Principal Electrical Engineer Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission‑critical space ...
Principal Electrical Engineer
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$120 - $150/hr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... Principal Electrical Engineer Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission‑critical space ...
Principal Electrical Engineer
$131K - $160K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Quick apply
Principal Electrical Engineer
$131K - $160K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Principal Optical Engineer
Tucson, AZ · On-site
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Principal Optical Engineer
Tucson, AZ · On-site
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Senior Systems Engineer I/II - Secret Clearance
$98K - $135K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER I/II - SECRET CLEARANCE Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves ...
Quick apply
Senior Systems Engineer I/II - Secret Clearance
$98K - $135K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER I/II - SECRET CLEARANCE Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves ...
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Quick apply
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Senior Systems Engineer I/II - Secret Clearance
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$98K - $135K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER I/II - SECRET CLEARANCE Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves ...
Senior Systems Engineer I/II - Secret Clearance
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$98K - $135K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER I/II - SECRET CLEARANCE Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves ...
Mechanical Design Engineer
$75K - $120K/yr
Mechanical Design Engineer Reporting To: Manager, Design Engineering Work Schedule: Onsite ... Design and develop spacecraft avionics assemblies using SolidWorks 3D CAD software. Produce ...
Mechanical Design Engineer
$75K - $120K/yr
Mechanical Design Engineer Reporting To: Manager, Design Engineering Work Schedule: Onsite ... Design and develop spacecraft avionics assemblies using SolidWorks 3D CAD software. Produce ...
Senior Embedded Software Engineer II
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$120 - $170/hr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a ...
Senior Embedded Software Engineer II
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$120 - $170/hr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a ...
Mechanical Design Engineer
Phoenix, AZ · On-site
$75K - $120K/yr
Mechanical Design Engineer Reporting To: Manager, Design Engineering Work Schedule: Onsite ... Design and develop spacecraft avionics assemblies using SolidWorks 3D CAD software. Produce ...
Mechanical Design Engineer
Phoenix, AZ · On-site
$75K - $120K/yr
Mechanical Design Engineer Reporting To: Manager, Design Engineering Work Schedule: Onsite ... Design and develop spacecraft avionics assemblies using SolidWorks 3D CAD software. Produce ...
Integration & Test Engineer II
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$98K - $132K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Quick apply
Integration & Test Engineer II
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$98K - $132K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Integration & Test Engineer II
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$98K - $132K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Integration & Test Engineer II
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$98K - $132K/yr
The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working ... INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ...
Spacecraft Engineer information
See Arizona salary details
$39.1K - $49.6K
5% of jobs
$49.6K - $60K
1% of jobs
$60K - $70.4K
5% of jobs
$70.4K - $80.8K
10% of jobs
$83.4K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$80.8K - $91.2K
14% of jobs
The median wage is $100K / yr.
$91.2K - $101.7K
17% of jobs
$101.7K - $112.1K
17% of jobs
$122K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$112.1K - $122.5K
5% of jobs
$122.5K - $132.9K
20% of jobs
$132.9K - $143.3K
1% of jobs
$143.3K - $153.8K
3% of jobs
$39.1K
$101.2K
$153.8K
How much do spacecraft engineer jobs pay per year?
What does a spacecraft engineer do?
What is the difference between Spacecraft Engineer vs Satellite Engineer?
| Aspect | Spacecraft Engineer | Satellite Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | Bachelor's or higher in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering; certifications in aerospace systems | Bachelor's or higher in electrical, aerospace, or systems engineering; certifications in satellite systems |
| Work Environment | Design, develop, and test spacecraft in labs and cleanrooms; work with aerospace companies and agencies | Design, maintain, and troubleshoot satellites; often in labs, ground stations, or field sites |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Primarily aerospace firms, government space agencies, defense contractors | Satellite manufacturing companies, telecom firms, government agencies |
Both roles require strong engineering backgrounds and work within the aerospace industry. Spacecraft Engineers focus on entire spacecraft systems, while Satellite Engineers specialize in satellite-specific technology. Both careers involve designing, testing, and maintaining space-related hardware, but their specific applications and environments differ slightly.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a spacecraft engineer?
How much do spacecraft engineers make?
What are some common challenges faced by spacecraft engineers during a typical project lifecycle?

Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO
Posted 13 days ago
Northrop Grumman rating
8.2
Based on 362 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
88th of 538 rated manufacturers
Job description
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: NoDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman's Space Systems Sector is seeking a Systems Engineer - Level 2 and Level 3 to join our team in Gilbert, Arizona.
Successful candidates for this position will work as a System Engineer/ Principal System Engineer on a national security space program. Spacecraft Space Systems Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a Spacecraft Space Systems Engineer, you will have unique opportunities to witness and take part in the entire engineering lifecycle culminating in the on-orbit delivery of fully mission capable space vehicles to our customers!
This Systems Engineer/Principal Systems Engineering position is for an individual-contributor within a multi-disciplinary engineering team. Responsibilities include design, integration, development and testing of space payloads, spacecraft buses, and satellites. Come join our team and help us keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Job Responsibilities:
Perform requirements development, allocation, verification/validation planning and manage interface definition efforts.
Write complex specifications, interface control documents, and engineering reports.
Support interface/communication with program, functional and subsystem leads.
Assist with trade studies, system sensitivity studies, design optimization studies, system performance assessments, mission analysis and timelines, and CONOPS development.
Support execution activities including engineering review board and configuration control board
Prepare review/briefing material for working group meetings, reviews and program status
Provide on-floor support of integration, testing, and operational readiness of spacecraft and payloads.
Other tasks may include electrical harness interface design, integration and test development and support, mechanical systems support, Command & Telemetry database development, and space vehicle configuration modeling.
Ability to capture core concepts and instructional needs from a large amount of technical data (ground and space hardware) and communicate technical concepts to peers
Basic Qualifications:
Systems Engineer - Level 2 - Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 2+ years of engineering experience OR
-Master's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline
Systems Engineer - Level 3
Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 5+ years of engineering experience OR
-Master's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 3 years of experience or PhD in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer, Math) with 1 year of experience.
Self-starter with strong technical problem-solving skills, an aptitude for understanding system and subsystem interactions and initiative to drive product development to closure
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Previous engineering experience, preferably on space programs or satellite operations
Understanding of Systems Engineering functions
Must have active or current U.S. Government Secret Clearance at time of application.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in space systems, spacecraft design, or mission operations
Experience in requirements development, decomposition and allocation
Understanding of spacecraft/space system integration & test, launch, and/or mission operations
Experience in requirements management, system architecture, and CONOPs development
Experience with various technical tools such as MATLAB, STK, CORE, DOORS, or CAMEO
Experience in any of the following areas is also desired: orbital mechanics, orbital debris modeling, spacecraft attitude control, power systems and modeling, avionics or digital electronics design, risk analysis, optics, communications, thermal design and analysis, or spacecraft integration and testing (either at the spacecraft or payload level)
Active or current TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance with SCI/SBBI.
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space.
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site: Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for:
-Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
-401k
-Educational Assistance
-Life Insurance
-Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
-Paid Time Off
-Health & Wellness Resources
-Employee Discounts
-Flexible Schedules: for example, the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work.
Primary Level Salary Range: $79,300.00 - $118,900.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
What Northrop Grumman employees say
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About Northrop Grumman
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.
Industry
Space research administration
Company size
10,000+ Employees
Headquarters location
Falls Church, VA, US
Year founded
1939