Satellite Engineer
Key facts
Satellite engineers develop, test and oversee the manufacture of satellite systems and satellite programmes. They may also develop software programs, collect and research data, and test the satellite systems. Satellite engineers can also develop systems to command and control satellites. They monitor satellites for issues and report on the behaviour of the satellite in orbit.
Satellite engineers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of satellite systems, from initial design and rigorous testing to overseeing manufacturing and ensuring operational success. This role demands a blend of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and meticulous attention to detail. You'll be involved in developing software, analyzing data, and troubleshooting issues that arise both during development and while satellites are in orbit. The work requires a strong understanding of physics, mathematics, and engineering principles.
- • Develop, test, and oversee the manufacture of satellite systems and programmes.
- • Design and implement software programs for satellite control and data analysis.
- • Collect and analyze data related to satellite performance and behaviour in orbit.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus and 7 more.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $82,890 2025-05 | +8.1% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +35.5% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Surplus reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £37,991 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
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Future Outlook for satellite engineer
The outlook for satellite engineer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could satellite engineer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- monitor satellites
- troubleshoot
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- use technical drawing software
- perform scientific research
- adjust engineering designs
Tasks most exposed to automation
- log transmitter readings
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Supply Chain & Transportation
A typical day as a satellite engineer
09 09:00 · Morning monitor satellites
10 10:30 · Mid-morning adjust engineering designs
12 12:00 · Midday approve engineering design
14 14:00 · Afternoon perform scientific research
15 15:30 · Late afternoon log transmitter readings
17 17:00 · Wrap-up troubleshoot
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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troubleshoot
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
-
adjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
-
perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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use technical drawing software
Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
-
log transmitter readings
Log transmitter observations such as calibrations of remote control equipment, equipment performance measurements, antenna field strength measurements, and other readings.
-
monitor satellites
Analyse ground systems and investigate any anomalous behavior of satellites. Develop the right corrective measures, and implement where necessary.
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approve engineering design
Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
engineering processes
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
geostationary satellites
The functioning and purpose of geostationary satellites, their movement in the same direction as rotation of the Earth, and their application for telecommunication and commercial purposes.
global navigation satellite system performance parameters
The performance parameters for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and the requirements that any GNSS system should possess in specific conditions.
types of satellites
The different types of satellites used for communications, streaming services, surveillance, and scientific research.
unmanned air systems
The systems used to remotely control unmanned aerial vehicles by onboard computers or by a pilot on the ground or in the air.
- aerospace engineering
- engineering principles
- industrial engineering
- launching of satellites into orbit
- manufacturing processes
- production processes
- quality standards
Path to become a satellite engineer
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
1,290 programmes in 26 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 256 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Aerospace Engineering
Technische Universiteit Delft · the Netherlands
Engineering-Related Fields
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine · the United States
Master of Engineering (Manufacturing)
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology · Australia
Diploma of Science (Engineering Studies)
Edith Cowan College Pty Ltd · Australia
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) · the United States
These are 6 of 1,546.
Sources
- 1. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
- 2. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (collegescorecard.ed.gov), CC BY. Data as at 10/06/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
- 3. Source: Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Education), CRICOS, data.gov.au, CC BY 2.5 AU. Data as at 01/09/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
- 4. Source: Study in Korea, National Institute for International Education (NIIED) (studyinkorea.go.kr).
- 5. Source: MIT OpenCourseWare (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does satellite engineer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of education is typically required to become a satellite engineer?
Are there opportunities for satellite engineers to work independently?
What are the key skills needed beyond technical knowledge?
How much does Satellite Engineer pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data