Spacecraft Systems Engineer Jobs
Spacecraft Systems Engineer jobs are open across defense contractors, civil space agencies, commercial launch companies, and satellite operators, from new-grad to principal and chief engineer levels, with specializations in avionics, propulsion, and GNC. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 37+ Spacecraft Systems Engineer jobs
About Varda
Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About This Role
The Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Avionics oversees the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for our Winnebago Spaceship. They ensure that all systems are ready for both launch and operational phases, requiring a deep understanding of avionics system design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. They closely collaborate with various engineering teams and navigate conflicting requirements to achieve seamless system integration. Their expertise will be crucial in ensuring the vehicle meets its mission objectives, from space manufacturing to hypersonic testing during reentry.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with cross functional teams to define project scopes and initial requirements, guiding designs from concept to prototype and full-scale production.
- Develop electrical architecture, system diagrams, and budgets to account for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions used to communicate closing vehicle solutions to company level objectives.
- Analyze architecture for potential faults and risks, develop comprehensive mitigation plans, resolve uncertainties, and collaborate on Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) or operational workarounds when hardware solutions are unfeasible.
- Conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and HITL hardware, ensuring readiness for launch and compliance with mission objectives for space and reentry operations.
- Participate in mission operations as an Avionics specialist or system operator, where they'll determine system health, suggest corrective actions to reentry commit criteria for operational success.
- Oversee the integration of the Winnebago avionics systems, acting as the primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations.
- Design, build, and operate the Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds, simulating the spacecraft on the ground to ensure all systems are mission ready.
- Develop avionics ground infrastructure, support the design and integration of test racks and R&D equipment used to power and communicate with the flight vehicles. Contribute to developing engineering best practices, focusing on increased test automation and efficiency.
- Draw from their experiences to help mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the team.
Basic Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
- Experience: 5+ years of experience in system design, test planning, and validation.
- Programming Skills: Proficiency in programming and debugging with Python.
- Technical Expertise: Experience with power supplies, modular DAQ systems, RTD and 4-20mA devices, and general test equipment.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Proven experience taking vehicle electrical systems from concept to operational production.
- Prior experience setting up HITL testbeds, managing configuration control, and conducting system level tests.
- Familiarity with Unix environments and the ability to use command line utilities.
- Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
- Strong project or program management skills.
- Relevant prior roles: Avionics Hardware, FPGA Engineer, Electronics Test Engineer, Electrical Systems Engineer
Pay Range
- Salary range: Senior: $140,333 - $202,703/ per year
- This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
- Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
- You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards
ITAR Requirements
Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
"US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).
E-Verify Statement
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
Read more Read more
Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
About Varda
Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About This Role
The Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Avionics oversees the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for our Winnebago Spaceship. They ensure that all systems are ready for both launch and operational phases, requiring a deep understanding of avionics system design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. They closely collaborate with various engineering teams and navigate conflicting requirements to achieve seamless system integration. Their expertise will be crucial in ensuring the vehicle meets its mission objectives, from space manufacturing to hypersonic testing during reentry.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with cross functional teams to define project scopes and initial requirements, guiding designs from concept to prototype and full-scale production.
- Develop electrical architecture, system diagrams, and budgets to account for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions used to communicate closing vehicle solutions to company level objectives.
- Analyze architecture for potential faults and risks, develop comprehensive mitigation plans, resolve uncertainties, and collaborate on Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) or operational workarounds when hardware solutions are unfeasible.
- Conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and HITL hardware, ensuring readiness for launch and compliance with mission objectives for space and reentry operations.
- Participate in mission operations as an Avionics specialist or system operator, where they'll determine system health, suggest corrective actions to reentry commit criteria for operational success.
- Oversee the integration of the Winnebago avionics systems, acting as the primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations.
- Design, build, and operate the Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds, simulating the spacecraft on the ground to ensure all systems are mission ready.
- Develop avionics ground infrastructure, support the design and integration of test racks and R&D equipment used to power and communicate with the flight vehicles. Contribute to developing engineering best practices, focusing on increased test automation and efficiency.
- Draw from their experiences to help mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the team.
Basic Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
- Experience: 5+ years of experience in system design, test planning, and validation.
- Programming Skills: Proficiency in programming and debugging with Python.
- Technical Expertise: Experience with power supplies, modular DAQ systems, RTD and 4-20mA devices, and general test equipment.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Proven experience taking vehicle electrical systems from concept to operational production.
- Prior experience setting up HITL testbeds, managing configuration control, and conducting system level tests.
- Familiarity with Unix environments and the ability to use command line utilities.
- Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
- Strong project or program management skills.
- Relevant prior roles: Avionics Hardware, FPGA Engineer, Electronics Test Engineer, Electrical Systems Engineer
Pay Range
- Salary range: Senior: $140,333 - $202,703/ per year
- This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
- Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
- You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards
ITAR Requirements
Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
"US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).
E-Verify Statement
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
Read more Read more
Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
See All 37 Spacecraft Systems Engineer Jobs
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Find JobsSpacecraft Systems Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Telecommunications
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in spacecraft systems engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering
- Experience with requirements management and system verification processes
- Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent modeling and simulation tools
- Familiarity with space mission design tools such as STK or GMAT
- Active or eligible security clearance, often Secret or Top Secret
- Experience supporting design reviews such as PDR, CDR, or SRR
Tips for Your Spacecraft Systems Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to mission phases
Hiring managers in this field care which mission phase you owned, whether concept, PDR, CDR, integration, or on-orbit ops. Call out each phase explicitly on your resume so reviewers can match your background to where the program currently sits.
List your model-based tools by name
Openings routinely require specific tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, STK, or DOORS. Name every one you've used in a dedicated skills section so your application clears keyword filters built around those exact tool names.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists spacecraft systems engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by program classification
Many spacecraft systems engineer roles are tied to classified or ITAR-restricted programs. If you hold an active clearance, filter for postings that mention it as a requirement so you're competing in a smaller, better-matched applicant pool.
Prepare a systems trade study walkthrough
Interviewers frequently ask you to walk through a trade study you led, including the competing architectures, your evaluation criteria, and how the team reached a decision. Have one concrete example ready with enough technical detail to defend every choice you made.
Negotiate against the full offer package
Defense and aerospace employers often structure total compensation with signing bonuses, relocation assistance, and clearance upgrade support that don't appear in the base salary figure. Ask for the complete breakdown before comparing offers or accepting.
Spacecraft Systems Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most spacecraft systems engineers?
CesiumAstro, Rocket Lab USA, and Firefly Aerospace are hiring the most spacecraft systems engineers right now, with openings concentrated in California, Texas, and Colorado, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Program ramp-ups tied to launch cadence and government contract awards drive most of the hiring volume.
How many spacecraft systems engineer jobs are remote?
About 50% of spacecraft systems engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with most remote-eligible roles concentrated in mission analysis, requirements development, and modeling work rather than hands-on integration or test activities. Hardware-intensive positions almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become a spacecraft systems engineer?
Start with a bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering. Build foundational skills in requirements management, interface control, and verification through coursework or early-career roles in adjacent disciplines. Gain hands-on experience by contributing to a full mission lifecycle, even on a university CubeSat program, then move toward leading subsystem or system-level trade studies as you progress.
Can you get hired as a spacecraft systems engineer without direct space experience?
Yes, employers frequently hire engineers with adjacent backgrounds in defense electronics, automotive systems, or software-defined radio who demonstrate strong systems thinking. Focus your application on experience with requirements decomposition, interface management, and verification planning, since those skills transfer directly. Highlighting any exposure to INCOSE systems engineering practices or model-based engineering methods strengthens a non-space background significantly.
What does the spacecraft systems engineer interview process look like?
Most employers run a phone screen focused on your mission or program background, followed by a technical interview where you walk through a past trade study or systems problem you solved. A hiring panel interview typically follows, covering both technical depth and cross-functional collaboration. Some programs add a written or whiteboard exercise requiring you to decompose a requirements flow or propose a system architecture from a given set of constraints.
Where can I find and apply to spacecraft systems engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to spacecraft systems engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the listings, find the roles that match your background and interests, and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 37 Spacecraft Systems Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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