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Spacecraft Operations Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Maxar

Spacecraft Engineer

Westminster, CO · On-site

$74K - $98K/yr

Spacecraft Constellation Operations, Reliability, and Engineering team members are responsible for the health and safety, performance optimization, and anomaly resolution of Vantor's spacecraft ...

Vantor

Spacecraft Engineer

Westminster, CO · On-site

$74K - $98K/yr

Spacecraft Constellation Operations, Reliability, and Engineering team members are responsible for the health and safety, performance optimization, and anomaly resolution of Vantor's spacecraft ...

Peraton

Spacecraft Aerospace Engineer

Las Cruces, NM · On-site

$51K - $82K/yr

Lead spacecraft operations activities as a Test Conductor, providing engineering guidance to the Satellite Controllers as well as second-person verification for all commands transmitted to the ...

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Peraton

Spacecraft Aerospace Engineer

Las Cruces, NM · On-site

$51K - $82K/yr

Lead spacecraft operations activities as a Test Conductor, providing engineering guidance to the Satellite Controllers as well as second-person verification for all commands transmitted to the ...

New

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How much do spacecraft operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 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 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.

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Cities with the most Spacecraft Operations Engineer job openings:

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Spacecraft Operations Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Spacecraft Operations Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,029 per year, or $40.9 per hour.

Operations Engineer III, Mission Operations

True Anomaly

Colorado Springs, CO • On-site

$105K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.
OUR MISSION
True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors - enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.
OUR VALUES
  • Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
  • What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
  • It's the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION
True Anomaly is building the next generation of space superiority capabilities for national security space. As an Operations Engineer 3, you will plan, simulate, and execute missions for our RPO-class spacecraft-operating at the cutting edge of what's possible on orbit. You'll own the full lifecycle of spacecraft operations, from developing and refining procedures to real-time mission execution, anomaly resolution, and post-mission analysis. Working at the intersection of operations and engineering, you'll bring deep technical expertise to bear on some of the most complex and consequential missions in space while directly shaping the tools and systems that make them possible.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Plan and execute both simulated and live spacecraft missions across all mission phases, from early-orbit operations through complex Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) taskings
  • Develop, maintain, and continuously improve spacecraft operations procedures, drawing on deep expertise in flight software, spacecraft hardware, and ground systems to achieve mission objectives
  • Monitor spacecraft telemetry and system health in real time during operations
  • Identify on-orbit anomalies, lead anomaly resolution planning, and drive execution of corrective actions in coordination with engineering teams
  • Conduct post-mission analysis and lessons-learned sessions to capture insights and drive continuous improvement of operational processes, procedures, and products
  • Perform orbit state determination for cooperative, non-cooperative, and uncooperative space vehicles (SVs) and derive intent from observed behaviors
  • Provide subject matter expertise (SME) to inform the development and refinement of flight software and ground system capabilities
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams-including systems, GNC, flight software, ground software, and hardware engineering-to support vehicle development, integration, and test activities

QUALIFICATIONS
  • 5+ years of spacecraft operations experience, preferably leading a team of operators
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
  • Experience coordinating across engineering and operations teams to translate mission requirements into executable procedures and system capabilities
  • Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in high-pressure, real-time mission environments with sound judgment and composure
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Eligibility for a DoD Top Secret/SCI security clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
  • Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, or a related field
  • Experience with Space Domain Awareness (SDA), including tracking, orbit determination, characterization, and/or behavior analysis of resident space objects
  • Prior experience with RPO missions, on-orbit servicing, inspection, or multi-satellite constellation management
  • Familiarity with national security space missions (DoD and/or IC) and the broader space domain awareness (SDA) enterprise
  • Experience with GNC concepts relevant to proximity operations, including relative navigation, maneuver planning, and safety zone management
  • Proficiency with astrodynamics tools (e.g., AGI STK, GMAT, or equivalent) for mission planning and simulation
  • Experience developing flight procedures and operational concept documentation
  • Experience with ground system architecture, command and telemetry processing, and real-time mission data systems
  • Experience supporting hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing
  • Experience with anomaly investigation, including fault tree analysis and corrective action reporting
  • Scripting or programming proficiency (Python, MATLAB, or similar) to support integration of flight software, ground software, and operational processes
  • Active TS/SCI clearance

COMPENSATION
  • Base Salary: $105,000 - $170,000
  • Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Work Location-Successful candidates will be located near Colorado Springs. This is an onsite position.
  • Work environment-the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
  • Physical demands-the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below.
#LI-Onsite
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.
True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.

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