Boeing Houston in 2026
Boeing's Houston operations sit at the intersection of human spaceflight history and its future. Located adjacent to NASA's Johnson Space Center in the Clear Lake area, Boeing's Houston team manages International Space Station operations, develops the Starliner crew spacecraft, and supports a range of human spaceflight programs. For engineers who want to work on crewed space missions without moving to Seattle or Cape Canaveral, Houston is Boeing's human spaceflight hub.
Here is a full breakdown of Boeing's Houston presence in 2026 — the programs, the roles, the salaries, and what it is like to live and work near NASA's mission control.
Programs based in Houston
International Space Station operations
Boeing has been the prime contractor for the International Space Station since its inception. The Houston team manages day-to-day ISS operations, engineering support, and sustaining work that keeps the station functioning. This includes systems engineering, structural health monitoring, power system management, thermal control, and mission planning integration with NASA flight controllers at JSC.
As the ISS approaches its planned deorbiting (currently targeting 2030-2031), the Houston team is heavily involved in end-of-life planning, commercial transition activities, and ensuring crew safety through the final years of operation. Boeing's ISS Systems Engineering team is actively hiring mid-level and senior engineers to support this critical transition period.
Starliner crew spacecraft
The CST-100 Starliner program is Boeing's most prominent Houston-based space initiative. After the troubled Crew Flight Test in 2024 — where thruster issues forced astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return on a SpaceX Dragon instead — Boeing and NASA have been working to resolve the technical problems.
Key Starliner developments for 2026:
- Starliner-1 is scheduled to launch no earlier than April 2026 as an uncrewed cargo mission to validate system upgrades
- The mission will deliver cargo to the ISS and allow in-flight testing of the fixes implemented after the CFT anomalies
- NASA and Boeing modified the Commercial Crew contract: Starliner will now fly four missions instead of six
- A crewed flight is targeted for the second half of 2026, pending successful completion of the cargo mission
The Starliner program employs engineers in Houston for mission planning, flight software verification, crew systems integration, and operations support. NASA JSC houses Starliner simulators used for crew training and mission rehearsals.
Despite the setbacks, Starliner remains a funded NASA program with a contracted flight manifest. For engineers considering Boeing Houston, this means active hiring for roles that directly support upcoming missions. The program needs people who can solve hard problems under scrutiny — the kind of experience that builds careers in human spaceflight.
Space Launch System support
Boeing is the core stage manufacturer for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), the heavy-lift rocket powering the Artemis lunar program. While the core stage is manufactured at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Houston-based Boeing engineers support mission integration, flight software validation, and launch operations planning in coordination with NASA's Exploration Ground Systems team.
Future programs
Boeing's Houston team also supports business development for future human spaceflight programs, including commercial space station concepts and deep-space habitat studies. The proximity to NASA JSC — where most human spaceflight decisions are made — gives Boeing Houston a strategic advantage in winning new contracts.
Roles and salaries
Boeing Houston hires across engineering disciplines, with a focus on systems engineering, flight software, and operations roles that directly support human spaceflight programs.
| Role | Salary Range | Experience Level |
|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineer (Mid-Level) | $90,000-$120,000 | 5-10 years |
| Systems Engineer (Senior) | $120,000-$155,000 | 10-15 years |
| Flight Software Engineer | $100,000-$145,000 | 5-12 years |
| Structural Engineer | $85,000-$125,000 | 3-10 years |
| Thermal Engineer | $88,000-$128,000 | 3-10 years |
| Mission Operations Engineer | $85,000-$115,000 | 3-8 years |
| Program Manager | $130,000-$175,000 | 12+ years |
| Quality Engineer | $80,000-$110,000 | 3-8 years |
| Summer 2026 Intern | $24-$32/hr | Current students |
The average Boeing engineer salary in Houston is approximately $101,596 per year as of February 2026. This is competitive for the Houston market, where cost of living is significantly lower than Boeing's other major locations in Seattle and the DC area.
Boeing Houston employees rate their compensation and benefits at 4 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor, slightly above the 3.9 company-wide average — reflecting both competitive salaries and the lower cost of living in the Houston area.
Boeing uses a level system similar to other defense primes. Houston salaries are lower in absolute terms than Seattle or DC positions, but purchasing power is higher due to Texas having no state income tax and significantly lower housing costs. When evaluating an offer, calculate the after-tax, after-housing take-home rather than comparing raw numbers.
Boeing benefits for Houston employees
Boeing's benefits package includes:
- 401(k) match: Up to 75% of the first 8% of pay (effective 6% match)
- Health insurance: Multiple medical plan options, dental, vision
- Pension: Boeing offers a supplemental retirement plan that provides additional retirement income
- Paid time off: 3-5 weeks depending on tenure, plus 10 holidays
- Tuition assistance: Up to $15,000 per year for degree programs
- Employee stock purchase plan: Buy Boeing stock at a discount
- Relocation: Boeing provides relocation packages for new hires moving to Houston
The tuition assistance program is particularly valuable for engineers looking to pursue a master's degree. Several Houston-area universities — including Rice University, University of Houston, and Texas A&M (Galveston campus) — offer evening and online engineering graduate programs that Boeing employees can attend while working.
Living in the Houston area
Boeing's Houston offices are in the Clear Lake area, about 25 miles southeast of downtown Houston near NASA Johnson Space Center. This is a distinct community from central Houston — more suburban, family-oriented, and deeply connected to the space industry.
Housing
Houston's housing market is one of the most affordable among major U.S. cities with aerospace employers:
| Area | Median Home Price | Commute to Boeing |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake / Webster | $310,000-$380,000 | 5-15 minutes |
| League City | $290,000-$360,000 | 10-20 minutes |
| Friendswood | $330,000-$400,000 | 15-25 minutes |
| Pearland | $280,000-$350,000 | 20-30 minutes |
| Galveston (beach living) | $250,000-$380,000 | 30-45 minutes |
Compare this to Boeing's Seattle area, where median home prices in Tukwila/Renton exceed $700,000, or the DC area near Boeing's Arlington headquarters where condos start above $500,000. A Boeing engineer earning $110,000 in Houston can comfortably buy a 3-bedroom home, while the same salary in Seattle would strain most budgets for homeownership.
Cost of living advantages
Texas has no state income tax, which immediately adds 5-10% to your effective take-home pay compared to states like California (up to 13.3%) or Washington state (no income tax but higher property taxes). Combined with affordable housing, groceries, and dining, a Boeing Houston salary goes further than equivalent positions in most other Boeing locations.
The space community
The Clear Lake area is home to the densest concentration of human spaceflight professionals in the world. NASA JSC employs roughly 10,000 civil servants and contractor employees. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines, and dozens of smaller space companies are all within a few miles of each other. The networking opportunities are unmatched — you will share restaurants, gyms, and Little League games with the people building the next generation of spacecraft.
Houston is not just NASA and Boeing anymore. Axiom Space (building the first commercial space station module) and Intuitive Machines (lunar landers) are both headquartered in Houston. Collins Aerospace, KBR, and Jacobs JETS all have major Houston operations. If you move to Houston for Boeing, you are also positioning yourself within walking distance of a growing commercial space ecosystem.
Climate and lifestyle
Houston summers are hot and humid — there is no sugarcoating it. June through September averages 90-95 degrees with high humidity. However, the remaining months are mild, and the proximity to Galveston Beach (30 minutes from Clear Lake) provides weekend escapes. The food scene — particularly Tex-Mex, BBQ, Vietnamese, and Gulf seafood — is world-class and affordable. Houston also has no zoning laws, which keeps restaurant and entertainment costs lower than comparably sized cities.
How to get hired at Boeing Houston
Boeing Houston positions are posted on jobs.boeing.com. Filter by Houston, TX and the Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business unit to find human spaceflight roles.
The hiring process typically includes:
- Online application with resume and optional cover letter
- Phone screen with a Boeing recruiter (30-45 minutes)
- Technical interview with the hiring manager and team members (1-2 hours, often virtual)
- Final panel interview for senior positions (in-person at the Houston facility)
- Background check and security clearance initiation if applicable
Boeing Houston is actively hiring for ISS systems engineering and Starliner mission support roles. The Summer 2026 internship program also has Houston positions for students interested in space systems.
For tips on applying, see our guide on Boeing careers. You can also browse all Boeing openings on Zero G Talent, and explore other Houston-area opportunities at companies like Axiom Space and Intuitive Machines.
Boeing Houston vs. other Boeing locations
| Factor | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Arlington, VA | Huntsville, AL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary programs | ISS, Starliner | Commercial aircraft, satellites | Corporate HQ, defense | SLS, defense systems |
| Avg engineer salary | $101K | $125K | $130K | $95K |
| Cost of living | Low-moderate | High | Very high | Low |
| State income tax | None | None | ~5% | ~5% |
| Housing (median) | $310K-$380K | $700K+ | $500K+ | $270K-$340K |
| Space community | NASA JSC, startups | ULA, Amazon/Kuiper | Government/DoD | NASA Marshall, ULA |
Houston offers the best combination of human spaceflight work, affordable cost of living, and proximity to NASA's decision-making center. If your career goal is crewed space missions, Houston is Boeing's most strategic location.
FAQ
How many Boeing employees work in Houston?
Boeing employs approximately 1,500 people in the Houston/Clear Lake area, primarily supporting the International Space Station program and the Starliner crew spacecraft. This makes it one of Boeing's smaller but most specialized locations, focused almost entirely on human spaceflight.
What is the average Boeing salary in Houston?
The average Boeing engineer salary in Houston is approximately $101,596 per year as of February 2026. Salaries range from $80,000 for entry-level engineers to $175,000+ for senior program managers. The lower cost of living in Houston means these salaries provide strong purchasing power compared to Boeing's higher-paying but more expensive Seattle and DC locations.
Is Boeing still working on Starliner?
Yes. After the Crew Flight Test issues in 2024, Boeing and NASA modified the Commercial Crew contract. Starliner-1 is scheduled for no earlier than April 2026 as an uncrewed cargo mission. A crewed mission is planned for the second half of 2026. The program has been reduced from six to four missions, but it remains an active, funded NASA program with ongoing hiring.
What Boeing programs are based in Houston?
The primary programs are International Space Station operations and the CST-100 Starliner crew spacecraft. Houston-based engineers also support Space Launch System mission integration and business development for future human spaceflight programs. The proximity to NASA Johnson Space Center makes Houston the center of Boeing's crewed spaceflight work.
Is Houston a good city for aerospace careers?
Houston is one of the best cities in the world for aerospace careers. In addition to Boeing, the area hosts NASA Johnson Space Center, Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines, Collins Aerospace, KBR, Lockheed Martin, and numerous smaller space companies. The combination of affordable living, no state income tax, and a concentration of human spaceflight expertise makes Houston a top-tier choice for space industry professionals.
