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Space Operations Engineer (Ground Operator Training)

Join SpaceX as a Space Operations Engineer to train teams for safe spacecraft operations and innovate spaceflight training processes.

Location
Hawthorne, CA
Compensation
$95k–$130k/yr
Level
mid
Type
full time · On-site

Posted by employer 3 weeks ago

First seen on Joblaze 3 weeks ago

Last verified on the company career page 23 hours ago

Skills & Technologies

JavaScript Python Flexible on stack

What you'll build

  • Develop training content for spacecraft operators
  • Plan and execute training events and simulations
  • Script and deploy simulation software components
  • Become an on-console mission control operator
  • Work closely with operations teams on spacecraft interaction

Must have

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science discipline
  • 1+ years of experience providing technical training
  • 1+ years of programming experience in Python or JavaScript

Nice to have

  • Master's degree in a technical discipline
  • Previous experience with spacecraft/aircraft engineering
  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills

Practical constraints

  • Must be open to occasional travel to other SpaceX sites
  • Must be willing to work long hours and weekends

Role intensity

50% coding

Requirements

Experience
1+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree
Visa
No sponsorship (stated in posting)

Benefits

401k Match Equity/Stock Options Health Insurance Parental Leave

Joblaze summary

In the role of Space Operations Engineer focused on Ground Operator Training, the individual will develop and implement training programs for spacecraft operators, ensuring they are prepared for human and cargo missions. Key skills include programming in Python or JavaScript and experience in high-stakes technical training or operations. This position is suited for engineers with a background in aerospace or related fields, particularly those who thrive in fast-paced environments and are eager to innovate training processes. The team is dedicated to advancing spaceflight operations, contributing to SpaceX's ambitious goals.

Joblaze insights

  • Listed 22 days ago — first seen on Joblaze October 15, 2026. Last confirmed on SpaceX's careers page November 6, 2026.
  • Salary band is below the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$128,000).
  • Starts above 7% of 352 comparable mid other roles in United States that list Python we track (median $110,000 across 62 companies). See Python salary trends
  • Python appears in 17.9% of 3409 comparable mid other roles in United States; JavaScript appears in 1.5% of 3409 comparable mid other roles in United States.

Quick facts

Is the Space Operations Engineer (Ground Operator Training) role remote?
No — this is an on-site role in Hawthorne, CA.
What's the salary range?
SpaceX lists $95,000–$130,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?
At least 1 year of relevant experience for this Space Operations Engineer (Ground Operator Training) role.
Where is the role based?
SpaceX is hiring for this position in Hawthorne, CA.
What's the tech stack?
Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: JavaScript, Python.
What seniority level is this role?
SpaceX targets mid-level candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?
Full-time for this Space Operations Engineer (Ground Operator Training) role at SpaceX.

From the original posting

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SPACE OPERATIONS ENGINEER (GROUND OPERATOR TRAINING)

SpaceX Operations Engineers are dedicated to the innovation of spaceflight operations. The Training team is responsible for training all operators who control and monitor the Dragon fleet and the United States Deorbit Vehicle. We train the Dragon real-time operations teams to remotely fly spacecraft to the International Space Station and safely back to Earth, as well as remotely operate private passenger missions to Low Earth Orbit and beyond.

As a Ground Operator Training Engineer you will become a SpaceX spacecraft operator, prepare teams of operators to safely execute human and cargo spaceflight missions, develop new training material for novel missions, and drive the creation of a 21st-century spaceflight operations training paradigm. The team’s mission is to innovate how humans are certified for spaceflight, and our goal is to efficiently prepare humans to safely operate space vehicles. If you are driven to fly spacecraft and train others to fly spacecraft, then come join us in expanding humanity’s reach to the stars.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop and conduct operator qualification and certification training for Dragon missions
  • Create training content, develop training plans, and provide instruction to mission control operators
  • Become an on-console mission control operator to support human and cargo spaceflight missions
  • Plan, schedule, and execute training events and simulations with SpaceX, NASA, and customer teams
  • Script, test, and deploy simulation software components to ensure a high-fidelity training experience
  • Develop and maintain the simulation environment (servers, applications, and automation)
  • Challenge requirements and reshape training workflows to create efficient operator training processes
  • Develop subject matter expertise in spacecraft systems and clearly communicate technical concepts to a wide audience

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science discipline
  • 1+ years of experience either providing technical training to people who must apply it in a critical environment, or working in real-time operations on a system with a high consequence of failure (for example, as a pilot, flight or test engineer, spacecraft operator, or high-performance automotive engineer)
  • 1+ years of programming experience in Python, JavaScript, Java, C, C++, or C#

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Master's degree in a technical discipline
  • Previous experience with spacecraft/aircraft engineering or operations
  • Previous experience writing software in a professional environment
  • Previous experience in a customer-facing role working with NASA
  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
  • Clear verbal and written technical communication skills
  • Capacity to balance conflicting opinions and manage expectations between multiple teams and customers
  • Able to quickly adapt and change course in a fast-paced environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be open to occasional travel to other SpaceX sites (California, Texas, and Florida)
  • Must be willing to work long hours and weekends to support mission operations and critical project timelines
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $80,000.00 - $105,000.00
Level 2: $95,000.00 - $130,000.00

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

Standard company text repeated across SpaceX's postings is omitted here.

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