ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Spacecraft Operations Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

Tomorrow.io

Sr. Embedded Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$134K - $176K/yr

... spacecraft and constellations in support of Tomorrow.io's Operation Tomorrow Space, which will ... We are looking for a passionate Senior Embedded Software Engineer who enjoys designing and ...

New

Tomorrow.io

Sr. Embedded Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$134K - $176K/yr

... spacecraft and constellations in support of Tomorrow.io's Operation Tomorrow Space, which will ... We are looking for a passionate Senior Embedded Software Engineer who enjoys designing and ...

New

Busek

Research Engineer

Natick, MA · On-site

$85 - $120/hr

Our mission is to provide cutting-edge solutions for spacecraft propulsion, including electric ... Knowledge of thruster design and operation is essential. * Skills: * Strong understanding of ...

General Atomics

Engineer VI

Acton, MA · On-site

$116K - $208K/yr

... operational concepts, performing trade studies, and generating electrical subsystem level ... payload and spacecraft * You will closely interact with Systems, Optical, Mechanical, and the ...

General Atomics

Engineer V

Acton, MA · On-site

$105K - $189K/yr

... operations. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: * Application of electro-optical and infrared remote ... Knowledge of EMI/EMC/ESD design and test requirements for aerospace hardware including spacecraft ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSpacecraft Operations Engineer JobsSpacecraft Operations Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

Spacecraft Operations Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$39.1K

$92.4K

$146.7K

How much do spacecraft operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for spacecraft operations engineer in Boston, MA is $92,370.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $102,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a spacecraft operations engineer do?

A Spacecraft Operations Engineer is responsible for monitoring, controlling, and managing spacecraft during its mission life. They work in mission control centers to ensure the spacecraft operates safely and efficiently, troubleshooting issues and executing commands as required. Their duties often include planning mission activities, analyzing telemetry data, and coordinating with other engineering teams to resolve technical problems. This role is critical for ensuring the success of satellite, probe, or crewed missions, both during routine operations and in emergency situations.

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

To thrive as a Spacecraft Operations Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, physics, or a related field, often complemented by experience in satellite or spacecraft mission operations. Familiarity with ground control software, mission planning tools, and certifications such as ECSS or ITIL are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities make candidates excel in this position. These skills are crucial for ensuring the safe, efficient, and successful operation of spacecraft in complex and high-stakes environments.

What are some typical challenges faced by spacecraft operations engineers during mission operations?

Spacecraft Operations Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating real-time responses to unexpected anomalies, managing complex schedules for satellite maneuvers, and ensuring seamless communication between ground control and the spacecraft. The role requires balancing strict adherence to operational procedures while quickly adapting to unforeseen technical issues. Effective teamwork and cross-functional collaboration with systems engineers, mission planners, and ground station personnel are crucial to successfully navigating these challenges.

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

AspectSpacecraft Operations EngineerSatellite Operations Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in aerospace, electrical, or systems engineering; certifications like PMP or satellite-specific trainingBachelor's in engineering or related field; satellite operation certifications
Work EnvironmentMission control centers, spacecraft ground stations, aerospace companiesSatellite control centers, telecom companies, aerospace firms
Industry UsageSpace agencies, commercial spaceflight, satellite launch providersTelecommunications, broadcasting, satellite service providers
Job FocusManaging spacecraft health, mission operations, troubleshootingMonitoring satellite performance, orbit adjustments, data collection

Both roles involve spacecraft or satellite management, requiring similar technical skills and certifications. The main difference lies in the scope: Spacecraft Operations Engineers focus on space missions and spacecraft health in orbit, while Satellite Operations Engineers primarily manage satellite functions in telecommunications or broadcasting industries.

What are popular job titles related to Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs in Boston, MA?

For Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs in Boston, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:

Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Spacecraft Operations Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,370 per year, or $44.4 per hour.

Digital Electrical Engineer (Digital EE)

Busek Co Inc

Natick, MA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Digital Electrical Engineer - Embedded Controls
About Busek
Busek Co. Inc. is a pioneer in advanced space propulsion and technology. Located in Natick, MA, we develop innovative solutions that enable the future of space exploration. Our products and technologies include electric propulsion systems, chemical propulsion, and advanced material development. Join our team to work on cutting-edge projects that shape the space industry.
Position Overview
Busek is seeking a Digital Electrical Engineer with strong embedded firmware, digital controls, and microcontroller experience to support the development of spacecraft and propulsion electronics.
This position will focus on developing Digital Control Interface Units (DCIUs), embedded firmware, control interfaces, and supporting electronics for advanced propulsion systems. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working at the register level of embedded processors, developing state-machine-based firmware, interfacing with spacecraft and power processing electronics, and developing operator-facing control software.
This is an opportunity to build and expand Busek's internal digital engineering capabilities while working closely with electrical, software, propulsion, and systems engineers on flight and development hardware.
Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and debug embedded digital control systems for spacecraft and propulsion applications.
  • Develop firmware in C or C++ for microcontrollers and embedded processors.
  • Program at the register level without relying on hardware abstraction layers (HALs) when required.
  • Develop robust state machines for flight firmware, control sequences, and operational modes.
  • Develop interrupt-driven firmware, including non-blocking interrupt routines for safety and fault conditions.
  • Develop command/response interfaces for communication between embedded systems and external equipment.
  • Implement and troubleshoot RS-485 communication interfaces.
  • Develop mathematical functions to transform, manipulate, monitor, and convert engineering data, setpoints, and telemetry.
  • Develop front-end control and monitoring interfaces using Python or similar programming languages.
  • Create deployable/executable software that can be installed and operated across multiple engineering workstations.
  • Develop software interfaces for commanding and communicating with Power Processing Units (PPUs) and spacecraft systems.
  • Support the development of DCIUs and related electronics, including schematic development and board-level design.
  • Design and review PCB layouts with consideration for space-grade embedded components, signal integrity, power distribution, and critical design requirements.
  • Apply knowledge of microcontrollers, including architectures such as Vorago ARM-based processors, and FPGA-based systems where applicable.
  • Evaluate MRAM, power-rail requirements, reset circuitry, and proper processor shutdown behavior.
  • Apply knowledge of ADC and DAC operation and their integration into embedded control systems.
  • Debug complete embedded systems by tracing firmware execution, state-machine transitions, interrupts, communications, and hardware interactions.
  • Support integration and testing of embedded electronics with propulsion systems and other spacecraft subsystems.
  • Develop test procedures and perform hardware/software integration testing.
  • Troubleshoot hardware and firmware issues and identify root causes.
  • Work closely with Electrical, Software, Systems, and Propulsion Engineering teams to develop and qualify flight and ground-support hardware.
  • Document designs, test results, software functionality, and engineering decisions.
Required Qualifications
  • Strong experience developing embedded firmware in C or C++.
  • Demonstrated understanding of microcontroller architecture and register-level programming.
  • Experience developing state machines and embedded control logic.
  • Strong understanding of interrupts and non-blocking firmware, particularly for safety and fault-handling functions.
  • Experience with RS-485 or similar serial communication protocols.
  • Experience implementing command/response communication structures.
  • Ability to develop mathematical algorithms for engineering data, telemetry, monitoring, and setpoint conversion.
  • Experience with embedded hardware development, including microcontrollers and supporting circuitry.
  • Understanding of ADC/DAC operation and integration.
  • Understanding of power rails, reset circuitry, memory, and processor startup/shutdown behavior.
  • Ability to debug embedded systems across both hardware and firmware.
  • Experience developing software tools or graphical user interfaces using Python, LabVIEW, or similar technologies.
  • Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience developing electronics or firmware for spacecraft, aerospace, defense, or other safety-critical systems.
  • Experience with FPGA development and digital logic.
  • Experience with Vorago or other radiation-tolerant/radiation-hardened microcontrollers.
  • Experience with MRAM or other non-volatile memory technologies.
  • Experience designing or reviewing PCB schematics and layouts for space-grade electronics.
  • Experience developing flight firmware, flight operations software, or command and telemetry systems.
  • Experience with Power Processing Units (PPUs), propulsion electronics, or spacecraft electrical interfaces.
  • Experience developing Digital Control Interface Units (DCIUs) or similar embedded control electronics.
  • Experience with Python-based engineering GUIs and deployable engineering applications.
  • Familiarity with hardware/software integration and environmental or qualification testing.
  • Experience working with safety-critical fault detection and protection systems.
Key Technical Skills
Embedded Firmware
  • C / C++
  • Register-level programming
  • State machines
  • Interrupts and non-blocking firmware
  • Embedded debugging
  • Flight firmware

Digital Communications
  • RS-485
  • Command/response protocols
  • Telemetry and data handling
  • Hardware/software communication interfaces

Embedded Hardware
  • Microcontrollers / MCUs
  • FPGA
  • ADC / DAC
  • MRAM
  • Power rails
  • Reset ICs
  • Embedded processor architecture
  • Space-grade components
  • PCB schematic and layout

Software / Controls
  • Python
  • GUI development
  • Engineering data conversion
  • Monitoring and setpoint calculations
  • Deployable/executable applications
Education
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
Benefits
  • 401(k) plan
  • Performance bonus opportunities
  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability
  • Paid vacation
  • Paid sick time
  • Paid holidays
  • Opportunity to work on advanced space propulsion and spacecraft technologies
Work Environment
This position requires hands-on interaction with engineering hardware, laboratory equipment, electronics, and prototype systems. The engineer will work in a collaborative environment with electrical, software, mechanical, systems, and propulsion engineers.
U.S. Citizenship
U.S. Citizenship is required due to the nature of Busek's work and contractual requirements.

Apply