How to hire a mission systems engineer

How to hire a mission systems engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step mission systems engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a mission systems engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new mission systems engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a mission systems engineer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A mission systems engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, mission systems engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of mission systems engineers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Mission Systems Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Mission Systems Engineer	Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device... Show more	$37-68
   Embedded Software Developer	An embedded software developer designs and develops software embedded into systems and devices. They are primarily in charge of writing codes that implement systems and solutions, ensuring the embedded software adheres to project goals and requirements... Show more	$32-56
   Embedded Engineer	Embedded engineers are skilled professionals who are responsible for conducting all activities that are related to embedded systems. These engineers are required to design and configure hardware components of embedded systems such as processor, controller, memory, and serial communication port... Show more	$34-60

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Systems Engineering
   • Architecture
   • Python
   • Risk Management
   • MATLAB
   • Engineering Support
   • Windows
   • Test Procedures
   • Trade Studies
   • Unix
   • Linux
   • Data Analysis
   • Mission Planning
   • Missile

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage network access controls, providing limit SYBASE and LDAP system support for multiple databases.
   • Manage security, which includes monitoring and controlling database access, assigning permissions to application owners.
   • Engage in refurbishing and replacing critical mechanical grind support equipment (GSE) for NASA's return to flight effort.
   • Maintain software for ephemeris load generation for NOAA satellites.
   • Instruct new hires on grind system components, data flow, and GSE responsibilities.
   • Direct installation of satellite command and control equipment at NASA command station sites and train station personnel.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your mission systems engineer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A mission systems engineer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, mission systems engineers' average salary in missouri is 41% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level mission systems engineers earn 45% less than senior-level mission systems engineers.
   • Certifications. A mission systems engineer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a mission systems engineer's salary.

   Average mission systems engineer salary

   $105,691yearly

   $50.81 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level mission systems engineer salary

   $78,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

4. Writing a mission systems engineer job description

   A job description for a mission systems engineer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a mission systems engineer job description:

   Mission systems engineer job description example

   About Loft Orbital
   
   Loft Orbital builds “shareable” satellites, providing a fast & simple path to orbit for organizations that require access to space. Powered by our hardware & software products, we operate satellites, fly customer payloads onboard, and handle entire missions from end to end - significantly reducing the lead-time and risk of a traditional space mission.
   
   Our standard interface enables us to fly multiple customer payloads on the same satellite, with capabilities such as earth imagery, weather & climate /science data collection, IoT connectivity, in-orbit demonstrations, and national security missions. Our customers trust us to manage their space infrastructure, so they can focus on what matters most to them: operating their mission and collecting their data.
   
   With 2 satellites on-orbit and a wave of exciting missions launching soon, we are scaling up quickly across our offices in San Francisco, CA | Golden, CO | and Toulouse, France.
   
   Wanna Join the Adventure?
   
   Loft is hiring a Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership on our satellite missions, from early phases of CONOPS design and system design to integration, test, and in-orbit operations. The breadth of this role spans detailed analysis and testing to the management of requirements and verification methodology.
   
   As the Chief Engineer of Loft's mission team, you will work on multiple satellite missions simultaneously, each with a unique, multi-payload configuration. You will work cross-functionally across multiple Loft teams: satellite operation software, payload interface software, mission engineering and AIT.
   
   *Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalized people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Loft, we value respectful debate and people who aren't afraid to challenge assumptions. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't ‘check all the boxes.
   About this role:Develop and maintain technical budgets for spacecraft performance.Develop and manage system requirements and verification techniques.Develop and evolve mission CONOPS, supporting the development of Service Level Agreements with Loft's customers Develop test procedures and participate in the integration and test campaign at our spacecraft manufacturer's site Assist with program management and product management.Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents.Build and establish engineering standards and best practices with technical stakeholders at the company
   Must Haves:10-15 years of experience as a systems engineer in the space industry Demonstrated experience as a technical specialist on specific spacecraft subsystems as well as system-level experience Demonstrated experience in small satellite assembly, integration and test campaigns Experience in a fast-paced development environment.Experience and passion for working in a software-centric environment Prior experience delivering a spacecraft to orbit and/or space-qualified hardware to a customer Prior experience working on a specific spacecraft subsystem or technical discipline Preferred: Experience in Electrical and Command and Data Handling a major plus
   Some of Our Awesome Benefits:Comprehensive dental, medical and vision insurance 401(k) plan and equity Daily catered lunches Cross office travel opportunities between San Francisco, Colorado, and Toulouse, FranceGenerous maternity and paternity leave Off-sites and many happy hours Foreign language classes We offer relocation assistance when applicable
   At Loft, you'll be given the autonomy and ownership to solve significant challenges, but with a close-knit and supportive team at your back. We believe that diversity and community are the foundation of an open culture. We are committed to hiring the best people regardless of background and make their time at Loft the most fulfilling period of their career
   
   We value kind, supportive and team-oriented collaborators. It is also crucial for us that you are a problem solver and a great communicator. As our team is international, you will need strong English skills to better collaborate, easily communicate complex ideas and convey important messages.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find mission systems engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your mission systems engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit mission systems engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit mission systems engineers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a mission systems engineer applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new mission systems engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the mission systems engineer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new mission systems engineer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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