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Spacecraft Operations Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Turion Space

Senior Mission Operations Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

The Senior Mission Operations Engineer will be responsible for leading the development, integration, and execution of mission operations across the spacecraft lifecycle. This role serves as a primary ...

Turion Space

Senior Mission Operations Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

The Senior Mission Operations Engineer will be responsible for leading the development, integration, and execution of mission operations across the spacecraft lifecycle. This role serves as a primary ...

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Spacecraft Operations Engineer information

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$36K

$85K

$135K

How much do spacecraft operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for spacecraft operations engineer in the United States is $85,029.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,500.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Spacecraft Operations Engineer, and why are they important?

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 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 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.

More about Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Spacecraft Operations Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs are:
Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Spacecraft Operations Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,029 per year, or $40.9 per hour.

Senior Space Operations Engineer

Impulse Space

Redondo Beach, CA • On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Senior Space Operations Engineer
Department: Programs
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Redondo Beach
Reporting To: Drew Damon, VP of Spacecraft Programs
Compensation: $140,000 - $180,000 / year
Description
As a Space Operations Engineer at Impulse, you will work on all aspects of spacecraft operations and play a pivotal role in the success of Impulse's missions. You will help to architect the plans, procedures, and toolsets necessary to carry out our spacecraft operations, and be a part of the control room team responsible for executing exciting missions that span a broad range from near-earth payload deliveries to Mars surface landers.
Responsibilities
  • Develop and implement methods of operational automation, to reduce day-to-day operator responsibilities
  • Develop all aspects of the operational lifecycle, including proposal/mission modeling, spacecraft integration and system-level test, shipment, launch, and on-orbit operations
  • Define ground and mission operations requirements, and flow mission requirements back to the spacecraft design
  • Develop mission concept of operation and design reference missions
  • Develop and execute operational procedures and mission-level engineering work for spacecraft operation
  • Interact with subsystem teams including GNC, flight software, avionics, propulsion, and others to bring the team together around operational needs.
  • Develop mission operations input to spacecraft fault and autonomy, including fault detection and response, autonomous spacecraft behavior, and on-board command and control
  • Support creation and execution of spacecraft simulator tests to validate mission/fault/autonomy design
  • Create and execute in-factory flight vehicle tests to validate mission design compatibility with flight hardware
  • Support design and operation of the ground segment, including command and control, mission planning, mission data processing, and the associated infrastructure to support all activities
  • Resolve technical issues with innovative and resourceful solutions

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or science
  • 5+ years' experience working in testing or operational environments
  • 5+ years' experience with basic software scripting
  • Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working well in small teams

Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Master's degree in engineering or science
  • 5+ years' experience with Python, C++ or similar programming language
  • 3+ years' experience with writing operations documentation
  • Previous experience conducting on-orbit operations

Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of 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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