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$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.

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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.
Spacecraft Operations Engineer II

Spacecraft Operations Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation

Littleton, CO

Other

Posted 24 days ago

Rocket Lab rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 60 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. 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 single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions

SPACECRAFT OPERATIONS ENGINEER II

Based on site at our Littleton, CO site the Spacecraft Operations Engineer II is responsible for managing the health, safety, and performance of a growing fleet of satellites to meet mission objectives for commercial and government customers. This role involves supporting various mission phases, including commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and re-entry, across diverse mission types such as satellite constellations, interplanetary exploration, and orbital rendezvous. The position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including spacecraft design, software, propulsion, and ground systems, to enhance satellite and ground-based capabilities.

The space operations experience at Rocket Lab is unique because you will cover a multitude of roles/positions and responsibilities, with the large majority of the technical products being supplied through the vertical integration/in-house.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

  • Leverage automation as a key enabler to operate spacecraft, focusing on software-driven solutions for efficient and reliable mission execution
  • Design, develop and test ground software for long term space operations: ground scripting for robust and automated ops
  • Design, develop and test flight software sequences and FDIR/telemetry configuration to ensure spacecraft health and fault management through software-driven processes
  • Maintain the continuous integration and testing of our operational code 
  • Ensure the on-call or shifts of operations
  • Develop test methods and data analysis
  • Develop interface specifications, CONOPS, and other design documents
  • Run validation against spacecraft simulation tools: flatsat, HITL, etc. 
  • Support AIT teams across multiple spacecraft integrated tests (TVAC, propulsion stack, DITL)
  • Perform requirements validation and verification for subsystems and spacecraft missions
  • Generate and maintain requirements for spacecraft Missions including the creation and disposition
  • Provide program and product support to team leads and program managers and be a key technical interface between the Auckland, NZ, Littleton, CO, and Long Beach, CA USA engineering teams

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
  • 2+ years of direct experience in any of the following: space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations
  • Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including attitude determination and control, spacecraft electrical power systems, space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling, and thermal control
  • Understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
  • Software development experience (Python/Ruby/C/C++/other high-level languages)
  • U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

  • Master's or PhD engineering in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
  • Prior experience in spacecraft operations
  • Prior experience in satellite system design 
  • Prior experience in satellite ground systems
  • Exposure to modern development practices - GIT, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure
  • Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Testing: Exposure to testing frameworks that simulate software behavior in operational environments
  • Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing: Familiarity with testing frameworks that integrate software and hardware systems
  • TS/SCI Clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
  • Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
  • Must be physically able to commute to buildings 
  • Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise

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