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Spacecraft Operations Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

... operations, engineering, and senior leadership. * Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across all ... Busek specializes in cutting-edge propulsion and spacecraft technologies for government and ...

Procurement/Subcontracts Manager

Natick, MA ยท On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

... operations, engineering, and senior leadership. * Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across all ... Busek specializes in cutting-edge propulsion and spacecraft technologies for government and ...

Showing results 41-60

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:

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.

Technical Staff - Space Systems Engineer (EMI/EMC/Radiation Analysis)

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Lexington, MA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

The Electronics for Contested Space Group develops advanced electronic systems and technology for the protection of our Nationโ€™s most important space capabilities. We design and develop state-of-the-art satellites and satellite payloads, novel concepts for resilient space architectures, and the Nationโ€™s most sensitive radars, optics, and passive RF systems. The group also provides engineering rigor and experience to some of the most critical National Security programs through Laboratory-wide collaboration and acts in an advisory capacity to the U.S. Government. Examples of recent projects include the prototyping of electronic systems and effects, hardware-in-the-loop testing of tactically relevant payloads with surrogate threat systems, developing RF subsystems for satellites, and analysis of spacecraft mission dynamics, environments, and resiliency.

Job Description

Group 94, Electronics for Contested Space, is seeking a space systems engineer to analyze and test space environmental effects including EMI (Electromagnetic Interference), EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility), and effects caused by the space radiation environment.  Activities may include systems analysis, systems engineering, test and measurement, data collection and analysis, documentation, reporting, team communication, and coordination of activities.  The successful candidate will be able to lead multi-disciplinary teams executing advanced research and independently solve technical challenges.  Occasional travel to support field exercises, presentations to sponsors and the community, and other events may be required.

 Requirements
  • PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a relevant technical field
    • A Masterโ€™s degree or equivalent and at least 5 years of relevant experience will be considered
  • Significant professional or academic experience in at least two of the following areas, and some familiarity and career interest in several others:
    • Physics: classical electromagnetics, space radiation environment effects
    • RF system and/or high-speed digital system design, fabrication, and test
    • Space systems: vehicle design, space environment design and analysis, operations
    • Environmental Test: vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC, space payload integration
    • Test design, procedure development, and execution
    • Practical skills: investigative data analysis and rapid troubleshooting of systems
    • Automated analysis and reporting: tools, custom analysis applications with user interfaces
  • Demonstrable ability to
    • Develop respectful, productive working relationships
    • Communicate clearly, precisely, and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences
    • Solve broad and/or complex technical or engineering problems
    • Learn and apply advanced technical knowledge quickly and proficiently
  • Analytical and/or scientific programming proficiency (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar)
  • Active Top Secret Security Clearance highly desired

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $145,200-$170,000
Experienced Hiring Range: $145,200-$220,000

Disclaimer: MIT Lincoln Laboratory provides a typical hiring range as a good faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to offer for this position at the time of posting. The final salary offered to a selected candidate will depend on various factors, includingโ€”but not limited toโ€”the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidateโ€™s experience, skills and education/training, internal equity considerations and applicable legal requirements. This range reflects base salary only and does not include additional forms of compensation or benefits.

At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include: 

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
  • MIT-funded pension
  • Matching 401K
  • Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)
  • Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs
  • Mentorship programs
  • A range of work-life balance options
  • ... and much more!  

Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.

Requisition ID: 42673