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Launch Operations Engineer, 5 SLS

Space Systems Command

Cape Canaveral AFS, FLFull-time$90–139K/yrPosted 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$90–139K/yr
Location
Cape Canaveral AFS, FL
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Citizenship required

Olive focuses on jobs in the United States, including remote roles you can work from there.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Secret clearance, requiredBachelor's degree, required

Job overview

The United States Space Force is seeking a Launch Operations Engineer for the 5th Space Launch Squadron at Cape Canaveral. The engineer will advise on launch operations and provide technical leadership for spacecraft and launch vehicle processing, certification, and evaluation. The role supports mission assurance through engineering oversight and risk assessment, with work spanning factory and launch-pad environments. Outstanding students or recent graduates with strong academics and relevant internship or co-op experience may be considered for a developmental position.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Systems Engineering, nice to haveContractor Oversight, nice to haveSpacecraft Processing, nice to haveLaunch Vehicle Processing, nice to haveDevelopmental Testing, nice to haveEvaluation, nice to haveElectrical Engineering, nice to haveMechanical Structures, nice to haveFluid Mechanics, nice to haveControl Theory, nice to haveInertial Navigation, nice to haveSpecial Testing Methods, nice to haveMission Assurance, nice to haveTechnical Risk Management, nice to haveLaunch Operations, nice to haveOn-Console Support, nice to haveSpaceflight Hardware Oversight, nice to haveTest Data Review, nice to haveFailure Analysis, nice to haveLaunch Policies, nice to haveProgram Management, nice to haveAcquisition Processes, nice to haveLeadership, nice to haveCollaboration, nice to haveCommunication, nice to haveClimbing, nice to haveWorking at Heights, nice to have

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Engineering, nice to haveSecret Clearance, nice to haveAPDP Practitioner Certification, nice to haveRelevant Internship or Co-Op Experience, nice to have

Full job description

Summary

Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Duties

The United States Space Force (USSF) at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL is searching for a Launch Operations Engineer to support 5 SLS (NH-0801-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent). Description: Are you an engineer driven by the challenge of assuring access to space for the nation? Do you excel at the intersection of systems engineering, mission assurance, and hands-on technical oversight? The 5th Space Launch Squadron is looking for a Launch Operations Engineer to serve as a technical authority and operations advisor for the world's most advanced commercial and government launch systems. In this critical role, you will be the engineering backbone for our mission, providing the expertise needed to integrate, evaluate, and assure current and emerging spacecraft and launch vehicle activities. This isn't just a desk job; it's a mission-focused opportunity to put your engineering skills to the ultimate test. You will be a key player from the factory to the launch pad, serving as the technical authority for vehicle certification, performing on-console operations, leading multi-disciplinary engineering efforts, and providing the critical risk assessments that inform leadership decisions. Your work will directly contribute to delivering assured space launch, range, and combat capabilities for the nation. If you have a broad engineering background, a passion for space, and the drive to solve complex problems, we want you on our team. Join us and help shape the future of space launch. Ideal Candidate: - Role & Leadership: A self-starter with a strong desire to serve as an engineering and technical operations advisor, providing technical leadership and expertise in systems engineering, contractor control, and oversight of spacecraft and launch vehicle processing. - Education: A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution. - Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. - Certification: Ability to obtain an APDP Practitioner certification in Engineering and Technical Management. - Technical Background: An advanced technical background that supports in-depth developmental test and evaluations. This includes a broad engineering foundation in systems engineering, electrical and mechanical structures, fluid mechanics, control theory, inertial navigation, and special testing methods associated with spacecraft and space launch vehicles. - Experience: -- Proven ability in mission assurance, technical risk management, and contractor oversight for complex systems. -- Hands-on experience with launch operations, which may include on-console support, overseeing spaceflight hardware, reviewing test data, and performing failure analysis. -- Familiarity with DoD/commercial launch policies, program management, and acquisition processes. -- Skills: Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to encourage new ideas, build coalitions to achieve common goals, and communicate complex technical information clearly to diverse teams. - Work Environment Adaptability: Must be able to work in varied conditions, including office settings and industrial areas. This may require climbing stairs and ladders, entering restrictive launch vehicle compartments, working at heights on platforms, and occasional exposure to outdoor elements and hazardous areas. Developmental Opportunity: Outstanding students or recent graduates with a strong academic record and relevant internship or co-op experience may be considered for a developmental position. Qualifications

The 0801 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here: Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position. Other Information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

How this job compares

Set against the 11,194 open Systems Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 14, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$90–139K/yr
  • Florida median$98–165K/yr225 salary ranges
  • US median$115–187K/yr8,647 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $115K, is 13% below the Florida median midpoint ($132K) — in the middle half of Systems Engineer salary ranges in Florida.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 338 open Systems Engineer jobs in Florida and 11,194 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Florida
Experience
Systems Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 3 to 8 years (9,281 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 4,127 of the 11,194 open Systems Engineer jobs (37%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 14, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.

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