Civilian Space Force jobs in 2026
The United States Space Force employs approximately 16,000 Department of the Air Force (DAF) civilians who work alongside uniformed Guardians on satellite operations, space domain awareness, launch operations, cyber defense, and acquisition programs. These are federal government positions on the GS/GG pay scale with job security, a pension, and the ability to work on national security space missions without enlisting. In 2026, Space Force civilian hiring is active as the service builds out its workforce to support new mission areas.
How Space Force civilian employment works
Space Force civilians are not military members. They are federal employees under the Department of the Air Force civilian personnel system. All positions are posted on USAJobs.gov under "Department of the Air Force." The hiring process follows federal civilian hiring procedures — application, referral, interview, tentative selection, background investigation, and final onboarding.
The three major Space Force commands that employ civilians:
- Space Systems Command (SSC) — Los Angeles AFB / El Segundo, CA. Acquires and develops space systems (satellites, ground systems, launch). The largest civilian employer in Space Force. Previously known as Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC).
- Space Operations Command (SpOC) — Peterson SFB, Colorado Springs, CO. Operates satellites, conducts space domain awareness, and provides space effects to combatant commanders. Second-largest civilian workforce.
- Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) — Peterson SFB, CO. Trains Guardians and develops space doctrine, tactics, and wargaming.
Space Force civilian positions use either the GS (General Schedule) or GG (equivalent grade) pay scale. GG positions, primarily within the Space Force acquisition workforce, follow the same grade levels and base pay as GS but are administered under different personnel authorities (the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System or Acquisition Workforce provisions). The practical difference for employees is minimal — same pay tables, same locality adjustments, same step increases. Some positions are titled "NH" (pay band) which consolidates multiple GS grades into broader bands with more pay flexibility.
Civilian job categories and salary
| Series | Title | GS/GG Range | Salary (w/ locality) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0855 | Electronics Engineer | GS-11 to GS-14 | $78K–$170K |
| 0861 | Aerospace Engineer | GS-11 to GS-15 | $78K–$191K |
| 2210 | IT Specialist (Cyber) | GS-9 to GS-14 | $65K–$170K |
| 1550 | Computer Scientist | GS-11 to GS-14 | $78K–$170K |
| 1515 | Operations Research Analyst | GS-11 to GS-14 | $78K–$170K |
| 1102 | Contract Specialist | GS-9 to GS-13 | $65K–$145K |
| 0340 | Program Manager | GS-13 to GS-15 | $111K–$191K |
| 0343 | Management Analyst | GS-9 to GS-13 | $65K–$145K |
| 0301 | Miscellaneous Admin | GS-7 to GS-12 | $55K–$122K |
| 0080 | Security Specialist | GS-9 to GS-13 | $65K–$145K |
Engineering and IT positions make up the largest share of Space Force civilian hiring. Contract specialists (1102 series) are also heavily recruited because Space Force acquisition programs manage billions in satellite and launch vehicle contracts.
Salary and federal benefits breakdown
A mid-career aerospace engineer (GS-13, Step 5) at Space Systems Command in El Segundo earns:
| Component | Annual Value |
|---|---|
| Base salary (GS-13 Step 5, LA locality) | $133,000 |
| FERS pension (government contribution ~13% of pay) | $17,290 |
| TSP match (government matches up to 5%) | $6,650 |
| FEHB health insurance (government share ~72%) | ~$12,000 |
| Life insurance (FEGLI basic, employer-paid) | Included |
| Annual leave (6+ hrs/pay period) | ~$10,200 value |
| Total compensation value | ~$179K |
The FERS pension is the standout benefit. After 30 years of service, you receive roughly 33% of your high-3 average salary as an annual pension, payable for life. Combined with TSP (the federal 401k equivalent) and Social Security, federal retirement benefits are significantly more generous than what most private-sector employers offer. This is the primary financial advantage of choosing Space Force civilian employment over contractor positions.
Defense contractors working on Space Force programs (Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Raytheon, Leidos) often pay 10-25% higher base salaries than equivalent GS grades. A GS-13 engineer at SSC earning $130K might see contractors doing similar work at $150K-$165K. But the GS employee has the pension, TSP match, strong health insurance, generous leave, and near-absolute job security. Over a 25-30 year career, the pension alone can be worth $1M+ in present value. Younger employees who prioritize cash now lean toward contractors; those planning long careers lean toward federal service.
Primary locations
| Installation | Location | Command | Key Missions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles AFB | El Segundo, CA | SSC | Satellite acquisition, GPS, SBIRS, space launch |
| Peterson SFB | Colorado Springs, CO | SpOC / STARCOM | Satellite ops, space domain awareness, Combined Space Operations Center |
| Schriever SFB | Colorado Springs, CO | SpOC | GPS operations, missile warning, satellite control |
| Patrick SFB | Cocoa Beach, FL | SSC (SLD 45) | Launch range operations, Eastern Range |
| Vandenberg SFB | Lompoc, CA | SSC (SLD 30) | Polar launch operations, Western Range |
| Buckley SFB | Aurora, CO | SpOC | Missile warning, intelligence |
| Kirtland AFB | Albuquerque, NM | AFRL/SSC | Directed energy, space research |
Colorado Springs and El Segundo are the two largest Space Force civilian employment centers. Colorado Springs has a lower cost of living than El Segundo, but El Segundo locality pay is higher, partially offsetting the difference. If you want acquisition and engineering work, El Segundo (SSC headquarters) has the most positions. If you want operations, Colorado Springs (SpOC, Schriever) is the center of gravity.
Security clearance requirements
Every Space Force civilian position requires at minimum a background investigation. Most technical and operations roles require a security clearance:
- Secret: Standard for many administrative, contracting, and lower-level engineering positions
- Top Secret (TS): Required for most operations, intelligence, and senior engineering positions
- TS/SCI: Required for positions involving national intelligence programs, certain satellite systems, and space domain awareness
- TS/SCI with polygraph: Required for some positions at Buckley SFB and intelligence-related billets
Clearance processing for new federal employees typically takes 4-8 months for Secret and 8-14 months for TS/SCI. During the investigation period, you may be placed in a temporary position or work on unclassified tasks. An active clearance from a prior position (military, contractor, or other federal agency) transfers and significantly speeds up the process.
Veterans with honorable discharges receive preference points in federal hiring, which can significantly boost your application score. Disabled veterans receive even stronger preference. If you are transitioning from active-duty Space Force or Air Force, you are a natural fit for civilian Space Force positions — your security clearance transfers, your technical knowledge applies directly, and the federal hiring system favors your application. The DoD SkillBridge program allows active-duty members to work at their desired civilian position during their last 180 days of service.
What civilian Space Force work looks like
Day-to-day work as a Space Force civilian depends on your command and job series, but here are some common profiles:
Satellite Systems Acquisition Engineer (SSC, El Segundo): You work as a government program office engineer overseeing a contractor (Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, or Raytheon) building a next-generation satellite system. Your job is to review technical proposals, evaluate contractor performance, participate in design reviews, and ensure the system meets requirements. You spend time in meetings, reviewing documents, and occasionally visiting contractor facilities. The work is technical but heavily oriented toward program oversight rather than hands-on design.
Space Operations Analyst (SpOC, Schriever SFB): You support satellite operations crews by developing procedures, analyzing anomalies, and optimizing mission effectiveness. During your shift, you might analyze satellite telemetry data, update contact plans, and brief operations crews on upcoming events. Some operations positions work rotating shifts like military satellite operators.
IT Specialist / Cyber (Peterson SFB): You maintain and defend the networks that Space Force uses to command and control satellites. This includes cybersecurity monitoring, incident response, network engineering, and compliance with DoD cybersecurity requirements (NIST 800-171, CMMC, STIGs). Cyber positions are among the most actively hired civilian roles in Space Force.
Contract Specialist (SSC, El Segundo): You manage multibillion-dollar acquisition contracts for satellite programs. This involves writing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), evaluating contractor bids, negotiating contract terms, and overseeing cost and schedule performance. FAR/DFAR expertise is essential. Contract specialists are in high demand because Space Force acquisition programs are expanding.
How to apply for civilian Space Force positions
All positions are posted on USAJobs.gov. The federal application process is different from private-sector applications:
- Create a USAJobs profile: Build a detailed federal resume (2-5 pages is normal — federal resumes are longer than private-sector ones). Include months and hours per week for each position.
- Search for positions: Filter by "Department of the Air Force" and Space Force-related keywords. Position titles use federal series numbers (0855, 2210, etc.), not commercial titles.
- Complete questionnaires: Self-assessment questionnaires determine initial eligibility. Answer honestly but do not undersell yourself — these are used for initial screening.
- Wait: Federal hiring timelines are 45-120 days from application close to tentative offer. This is normal.
- Interview: Not all positions conduct interviews. When they do, the format is typically a panel interview with structured questions.
- Background investigation: Tentative offer is conditional on passing the security clearance investigation.
Set up saved searches on USAJobs with alerts for Space Force positions at your preferred locations. The federal resume must be much more detailed than a commercial resume — include specific accomplishments, metrics, and technology names. "Managed satellite ground system modernization" is too vague; "Managed $12M satellite ground system modernization across 3 sites, leading a team of 8 engineers" is better. Use the exact language from the position description in your resume where it honestly applies. The initial screening is often done by HR specialists, not hiring managers, so keyword alignment matters.
Frequently asked questions
Can civilians work for Space Force?
Yes. The Space Force employs approximately 16,000 Department of the Air Force civilians. These are federal government positions, not military roles. Civilians work in engineering, IT/cyber, acquisition, operations support, security, and administration. All positions are posted on USAJobs.gov.
How much do Space Force civilians make?
Salary depends on GS/GG grade and locality. Entry-level (GS-9) positions start at $55K-$85K depending on location. Mid-career engineers (GS-12/13) earn $94K-$145K. Senior engineers and program managers (GS-14/15) earn $132K-$191K. Total compensation including pension, TSP match, health insurance, and leave adds 25-40% above base salary.
Do Space Force civilian jobs require a security clearance?
Most do. Administrative and some entry-level positions may only require a background check. Engineering, operations, IT/cyber, and intelligence positions typically require Secret, Top Secret, or TS/SCI clearance. The Space Force sponsors clearance investigations for new hires. Processing takes 4-14 months depending on clearance level.
Where are Space Force civilian jobs located?
The largest concentrations are at Los Angeles AFB/El Segundo (SSC acquisition), Peterson and Schriever SFBs in Colorado Springs (operations), Patrick SFB in Florida (launch range), and Vandenberg SFB in California (launch). Smaller numbers of positions exist at Buckley SFB (Colorado), Kirtland AFB (New Mexico), and the Pentagon.
How do I get a civilian Space Force job?
Apply through USAJobs.gov. Create a detailed federal resume, search for Department of the Air Force positions at Space Force locations, and apply to multiple postings. Veterans' preference helps significantly. An active security clearance from military or contractor service transfers. Expect a 45-120 day timeline from application to tentative offer. Technical degrees (engineering, CS, physics) and clearances are the strongest qualifications.
Browse Space Force and defense jobs on Zero G Talent. Explore cybersecurity positions and satellite operations roles. For contractor alternatives, see our guides on Northrop Grumman careers and L3Harris jobs.
