Space Jobs for Mission Operations Engineers

Going by the 83 distinct salaries currently posted for roles for mission and launch operations engineers (each put on a full-time year), the typical range is $113k–$214k/yr and the median is $130k/yr. The top posted figure is $275k/yr, at SpaceX. 108 of the 192 open roles for mission and launch operations engineers state no pay, so check each listing.

Usually an engineering or science degree, and for some roles operations experience from the military, aviation or another space program. Many work in shifts or on call. Every posting spells out its exact requirements and work site, so read each one. Of the 61 open roles for mission and launch operations engineers whose requirements we read, 1 a master's, 46 at least a bachelor's and 14 name no degree.

A mission or launch operations engineer runs the vehicle in real time: preparing it at the pad and on console for launch, or commanding and monitoring spacecraft once they fly, writing the procedures, training for anomalies and keeping watch on shift.

Each employer runs its own hiring, and each listing says what it asks for: the degree or the hands-on experience, the location, and for export-controlled work in the US, often U.S. person status.

Every role here is read from a space employer's own careers page or job board (Muon Space, Turion Space, Inversion Space and Varda Space Industries among them), and each employer's page here covers who they are and how they hire. A real employer never charges you to apply, never asks you to buy equipment and never interviews you only by chat app.