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Spaceport Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Stratolaunch

Composite Fabricator

Mojave, CA · On-site

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best ...

Stratolaunch

Systems Test Engineer

Mojave, CA · On-site

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best ...

Stratolaunch

Propulsion Technician

Mojave, CA · On-site

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best ...

Stratolaunch

Sr. EH&S Specialist

Mojave, CA · On-site

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best ...

Stratolaunch

EH&S Specialist

Mojave, CA · On-site

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best ...

Stratolaunch

Lead Technical Writer

Mojave, CA · On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best ...

Stratolaunch

Technical Writer

Mojave, CA · On-site

$65K - $105K/yr

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best ...

Stratolaunch

Aircraft Electrician

Mojave, CA · On-site

$32.75 - $41/hr

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best ...

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Spaceport information

See California salary details

$13

$30

$52

How much do spaceport jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for spaceport in California is $30.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.87 and $35.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the spaceport position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Spaceport professional, you need a strong background in aerospace operations, safety protocols, and facility management, often supported by a degree in engineering, aviation, or a related field. Familiarity with spacecraft launch systems, ground support equipment, FAA/AST regulations, and specialized scheduling or operations management software is essential. Effective communication, leadership, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for managing diverse teams and coordinating with government and private partners. These competencies ensure safe, efficient spaceport operations and successful coordination of complex launch activities.

What is a spaceport?

A Spaceport job involves working at a facility designed to launch and receive spacecraft. Roles vary widely and can include positions in operations, engineering, safety, logistics, and customer service. Employees may support rocket launches, spacecraft maintenance, astronaut services, and space tourism activities. Depending on the job, responsibilities may involve high-tech equipment, mission planning, or regulatory compliance. Many positions require specialized training in aerospace, engineering, or technical fields.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities for professionals working at a spaceport?

Spaceport professionals are responsible for overseeing launch preparation activities, managing facility operations and safety inspections, and coordinating logistics with launch providers and regulatory agencies. They frequently work with multidisciplinary teams to ensure ground support systems and infrastructure are ready for launches, manage emergency response procedures, and facilitate site security. Much of the work is hands-on, requiring attention to detail and frequent collaboration with engineers, technicians, and visiting space companies. The environment can be fast-paced and requires readiness for rapidly changing schedules based on launch timelines.

What are popular job titles related to Spaceport jobs in California? For Spaceport jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Spaceport jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Spaceport jobs in California are:
Spaceport jobs near you
Infographic showing various Spaceport job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,488 per year, or $30.5 per hour.

Chief Engineer, Hypersonic Vehicle

Stratolaunch

Mojave, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. Our air-launched, Talon testbeds are reusable, cost-effective platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment. We deliver flight data critical to validating system performance and achieving rapid technology deployment. Together with our customers, we drive innovations that are imperative to advancing national security.
Stratolaunch is seeking a Chief Engineer to be a high-impact technical leader for hypersonic air vehicle programs. This position will be the top technical authority and conscience on their development program. This position is trusted to lead people, to develop and execute technical strategies for open-ended problems, manage risk, and to communicate successfully with internal and external customers. The ideal candidate is a demonstrated leader and team player with significant experience across aerospace platforms, possessing a breadth of technical expertise across aircraft systems, aircraft certification, store certification, maintenance, and operations.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Partner with Program Director/Managers and support functions to achieve successful customer program execution
  • Experience acting as a program integrator/prime contractor
  • Lead trade studies and make final technical decisions, requiring balance across a wide breadth of disciplines to include: aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, structures, controls and aero-thermodynamics
  • Apply Systems Engineering principles to control scope, manage risk, and drive quality technical execution
  • Support test planning and execution as required (ground and flight)
  • Support business proposals and planning
  • Facilitate successful technical meetings and reviews such as Engineering Review Board phase-gate technical reviews. (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR)
  • Create engineering staffing plans and identify skillset gaps in the team
  • Effectively collaborate across the enterprise in support of business objectives and program execution

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated success as an engineering team leader and experience balancing cost, schedule, and technical performance considerations when making decisions
  • Demonstrated proficiency as a front-line manager of technical employees
  • Experience maintaining, modifying, or testing aerospace platforms
  • Experience recruiting and hiring engineers
  • Ability to interact with customers and/or external stakeholders
  • Demonstrated success applying analytical and critical thinking skills to solve multi-disciplinary, open-ended technical problems
  • Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment to achieve business goals
  • US Citizen with the ability to obtain a DOD security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Demonstrated success as a Chief Engineer of development programs
  • Experience with hypersonic and supersonic vehicle development
  • Experience supporting defense contracts and working on classified programs
  • Hypersonic/high-speed tactical missile experience highly desirable (e.g. multi-stage systems, hot structure airframes, launch platform integration)
  • Experience with rocket propulsion systems
  • Active TS/SCI security clearance
  • Experience with Siemens NX/Teamcenter

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
  • Staff-level ($157,000-$206,000): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 10-20 years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Principal Level ($181,000-$237,300): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 20+ years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Sr. Principal-Level ($k): Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 25+ years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable
  • Position based in Mojave, CA. It is strongly preferred the candidate be fully on-site. Consideration for hybrid (partial remote/on-site work) work location arrangement at no less than 75-80% on-site time for well-qualified candidates.
  • Travel, as needed, to support the department. Travel estimated to be <10%

#LI-AM1
Base salary and leveling are established on a case-by-case basis. We consider several factors to ensure a competitive offer, including your location, educational background, and a comprehensive assessment of the skills and experience demonstrated during your interviews.
Benefits and our location(s):
  • 9/80 schedule
  • Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs)
  • Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
  • 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500
  • Tuition reimbursement

This position may involve the operation of company vehicles as part of assigned duties.
Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best attractions and landmarks.
Not much for the outdoors and prefer the city life? You're within a half day's drive or less of Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco where you can find a variety of live entertainment, museums, tours, and historical sight-seeing. Theme parks are in abundance, with Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm ready to meet the needs of rollercoaster thrill seekers.
Food and drink fanatics are in a haven of delectable choices. Wine aficionados will also find easy access to some of the state's best vino in Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and even more locally in Tehachapi and Agua Dulce. Beer fanatics will find some of the best West Coast IPAs at Bravery and Lucky Luke's in Lancaster. Any food option you crave is covered, and we always recommend the authentic and fresh Mexican food that you won't find anywhere else in the United States.
Stratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees' and applicants' time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. For purposes of transparency, U.S. Citizenship may be required for some positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law :
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

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