Also called: Satellite Servicing Engineer, On-Orbit Refueling Engineer
Designs spacecraft that refuel, repair, or tow other satellites in orbit, like tow trucks for space.
You develop the grappling system that grabs a satellite never designed to be grabbed, then simulate the approach thousands of times before trying it for real.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in aerospace engineering; master's helps.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering.
Growing much faster than average. Emerging field not tracked by BLS; depends on NASA Artemis and private investment.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI handles more autonomous docking; designing and testing first-of-a-kind servicing spacecraft stays human.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science, CAD class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.