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Spacecraft Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Spacecraft Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

The Spacecraft Systems Engineer will support a program office for a Major System Acquisition who requires a mid-career engineer with technical expertise in systems engineering who is anxious to grow ...

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 ...

Spacecraft Engineer

Longmont, 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 ...

Spacecraft Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

The Spacecraft Systems Engineer will support a program office for a Major System Acquisition who requires a mid-career engineer with technical expertise in systems engineering who is anxious to grow ...

Spacecraft Engineer II

Cheyenne, WY · On-site

$72K - $103K/yr

Evaluate spacecraft performance and troubleshoot the operation of all spacecraft subsystems to optimize quality of service and extend spacecraft mission life * Maintain and re-enforce situational ...

Spacecraft Engineer II

Cheyenne, WY · On-site

$72K - $103K/yr

Evaluate spacecraft performance and troubleshoot the operation of all spacecraft subsystems to optimize quality of service and extend spacecraft mission life * Maintain and re-enforce situational ...

Showing results 41-60

Spacecraft information

See salary details

$42K

$108.6K

$165K

How much do spacecraft jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for spacecraft in the United States is $108,638.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Spacecraft vs Satellite?

AspectSpacecraftSatellite
Required credentialsEngineering degrees, specialized training in spacecraft systemsEngineering or science degrees, satellite technology knowledge
Work environmentManufacturing facilities, launch sites, space missionsOrbiting Earth or other celestial bodies, ground stations
Industry usageSpace exploration, research, deep space missionsCommunications, weather monitoring, navigation

Spacecraft and satellites share many skills and credentials, but spacecraft generally refer to vehicles designed for space exploration or research, while satellites are primarily used for communication, navigation, or observation. Both roles involve working in aerospace environments and require specialized technical knowledge.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a spacecraft engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Spacecraft Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with CAD software, simulation tools, and knowledge of industry standards like NASA or ESA guidelines are essential. Problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication are vital soft skills for addressing complex technical challenges and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing, building, and maintaining safe and reliable spacecraft that perform critical missions.

What are common challenges faced by engineers working on spacecraft development projects?

Engineers working on spacecraft development often encounter challenges such as strict weight and material constraints, the need for rigorous testing to ensure reliability in harsh space environments, and tight project timelines driven by mission schedules. Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams—such as propulsion, avionics, and structural engineering—is essential to address complex system integration issues. Additionally, adapting to rapid technological advancements and evolving mission requirements can require continuous learning and flexibility.

What is a spacecraft?

Spacecraft are vehicles or machines designed to travel in outer space. They can be crewed or uncrewed and are used for a variety of purposes, such as exploration, communication, Earth observation, and scientific research. Spacecraft can operate in Earth's orbit, travel to other planets, or journey beyond our solar system. They play a crucial role in expanding our understanding of space and supporting modern technologies like GPS, weather forecasting, and satellite television.
More about Spacecraft jobs

What cities are hiring for Spacecraft jobs?

Cities with the most Spacecraft job openings:

What states have the most Spacecraft jobs?

States with the most job openings for Spacecraft jobs include:

Infographic showing various Spacecraft job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,638 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Spacecraft Systems Engineer

SAIC

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Other

Re-posted 4 days ago


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7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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Job description

Job ID: 2612640
Location: Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted: 2026-07-21
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Systems Engineer
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
SAIC is seeking a Spacecraft Systems Engineer. This position is located in Chantilly, VA and requires an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
The Spacecraft Systems Engineer will support a program office for a Major System Acquisition who requires a mid-career engineer with technical expertise in systems engineering who is anxious to grow their skills.
The Spacecraft Systems Engineer may perform but not limited to the following duties:
Provide direct support for major program acquisitions.
Provide a key role in the verification of system level requirements and selloff by the developer within a government program office.
Be part of a team working with both developers and operators after launch for the initialization of multiple satellites on orbit.
Provide operations planning and execution support.
Develop and coordinate operations transition plans for constellation of multiple satellites.
Provides support to anomaly resolution during initialization.
Author, review, and coordinate documents, briefings and data to aid the Government in communications and decision-making.
Maintain configuration control using tools such as Jira and Confluence to track changes, manage requirements, and monitor project progress.
Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, integration and test, and developers to ensure that configuration changes are effectively communicated and implemented.
Qualifications
Active TS/SCI Clearance with Polygraph.
Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field and 9+ years professional relevant experience, Master of Science degree and 7+ years of professional relevant experience. Note: Additional years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
Knowledge of systems engineering practices, including requirements management, verification, and validation.
Experience in Agile software development, preferably software for satellite systems.
Experience in satellite operations, preferably with government intelligence satellite systems.
Experience with verification sell off of requirements.
Strong computer skills with the ability to quickly master different tools. Experience with configuration management tools, such as Jira and Confluence.
Solid understanding of engineering principles and project lifecycle phases, especially in space systems development.
Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and an ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with an ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic project environment.
Available to travel occasionally domestically.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in space system development or satellite integration.
Solid understanding of DoD/IC satellite systems and architectures.
Experience in defense and intelligence community acquisition and program management processes.
Fluency in a coding language (JavaScript, HTML, Python, Microsoft VBA)
Solid understanding of the DOD and/or IC Acquisition process and related milestones.
Familiarity with space systems ground support and hardware acquisitions.
An understanding of full life cycle system support, from procurement to launch, including requirement analysis, requirements tracking, system design and development through system test, installation and sell-off, delivery, and hardware development, testing, analysis, and requirements verification.
Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .

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