How to hire a space controller

How to hire a space controller, step by step

Here's a step-by-step space controller hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The space controller hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect space controller also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of space controller salaries for various roles:

   Type of Space Controller	Description	Hourly rate
   Space Controller	Information clerks perform routine clerical duties such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers.	$15-59
   Reservations Agent	Reservation agents, also known as travel clerks, are responsible for helping clients plan and book their reservations. They are often employed by hotels, resorts, airlines, car rentals, and travel agencies... Show more	$12-18
   Reservation Sales Agent	A reservation sales agent informs customers of products and services offered in hotels, car rentals, airlines, and resorts. They also inform customers of the attraction sites available, directions, and any information they might need through their trip... Show more	$14-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • NASA
   • MCC
   • International Space Station
   • SATCOM

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage team accountable for overall computer hardware and operating systems within new MCC.
   • Manage and coordinate customer delivery commits between production, engineering and logistics.
   • Cite by STS-74 crew for support of Mir docking module space construction operations.
   • Provide pre-flight, real-time, and post-flight grind navigation support for NASA space shuttle missions.
   • Create checklist for STS-71 (first Mir docking) and remain in charge of it through Mir/Shuttle program completion.
   • Perform preventive maintenance which include calibration of all Satcom equipment as necessary.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your space controller job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A space controller can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, space controllers' average salary in wyoming is 60% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level space controllers 73% less than senior-level space controllers.
   • Certifications. A space controller with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a space controller's salary.

   Average space controller salary

   $64,466yearly

   $30.99 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level space controller salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 25, 2025

4. Writing a space controller job description

   A space controller job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a space controller job description:

   Space controller job description example

   • Perform adjustments, and tests for pre-mission setup, and equipment operation verification
   • Perform Level 1 maintenance tasks for station tracking systems
   • Complete station operations paperwork and maintains required records
   • Assist in the application of all station programs and procedures
   • Train to perform as a Lead Space Operations Controller (LSOC) on console
   • When qualified, perform on console under the direction of a more experienced controller and work independently
   • Must be able to take direction, and respond to events rapidly in a real time environment
   • Report to the Shift Supervisor (SOD) and functions independently during spacecraft supports or as directed by the SOD

   Qualifications

   Required Qualifications:

   • 2+ years technical training or an associate degree in a related field.
   • In lieu of a degree, 4 years of related experience is allowable
   • 2+ years of experience with station system/operations or related area
   • Valid California drivers' license
   • Must be able to obtain a trusted background check and pass a National Criminal Information Check (NCIC). In order to obtain a clearance, you need to be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship

   Desired Qualifications:

   • Must have the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
   • Strong communication skills (both verbal and written)

   Peraton Overview

   Peraton drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted and highly differentiated national security solutions and technologies that keep people safe and secure. Peraton serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies across the intelligence, space, cyber, defense, civilian, health, and state and local markets. Every day, our employees do the can't be done, solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers.

   An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Veteran.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right space controller for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with space controllers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit space controllers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit space controllers, 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   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 space controller

   Once you've found the space controller candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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