Maxar Denver in 2026
Maxar's Denver facility in Westminster, Colorado designs and builds the earth observation satellites that produce some of the highest-resolution commercial imagery available — 30 centimeters per pixel from the WorldView Legion constellation. Since the Advent International acquisition took Maxar private in early 2023, the company has restructured around two business lines, and Denver sits at the center of the space segment.
What Maxar does in Denver
Maxar's Denver office (technically in Westminster, about 15 minutes north of downtown Denver along US-36) houses the Space Infrastructure division. This is where satellites get designed, integrated, and tested before shipping to the launch site.
Current programs at the Denver facility:
- WorldView Legion: Maxar's next-generation earth observation constellation. Six satellites in two orbital planes, providing more revisit capacity than the legacy WorldView-3 and WorldView-4 birds. The first Legion satellites launched in 2024, with the remaining spacecraft completing the constellation in 2025-2026.
- WorldView-3: Still operational and producing 31 cm panchromatic / 1.24 m multispectral imagery. Ground system operations and mission planning are managed from Denver.
- 1300-class satellite bus: Maxar builds its own satellite bus platform, the SSL 1300, used for both internal programs and external customers. GEO communications satellites for commercial and government customers are designed on this platform.
- Robotics and servicing: Maxar's robotic arm heritage (Canadarm, Canadarm2, Dextre) drives work on in-space servicing and assembly concepts. Some of this engineering happens in Denver.
- DARPA and NRO programs: Classified work for U.S. intelligence and defense customers. These programs drive a significant portion of Denver headcount and require TS/SCI clearances.
After going private in 2023, Maxar split into two segments: Maxar Space Infrastructure (satellite manufacturing, Denver) and Maxar Intelligence (geospatial analytics, Westminster/Herndon). The Denver site focuses on building and operating spacecraft. The intelligence side processes the imagery into products for government and commercial customers. Both segments hire in Denver, but the engineering roles are concentrated in Space Infrastructure. The private ownership means no public stock or RSUs — compensation is salary-heavy with some equity in the Advent portfolio structure.
Roles available at Maxar Denver
Maxar Denver hires across satellite design, integration, test, and operations disciplines.
| Role Category | Typical Titles | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical/Structural Engineering | Structural Analyst, Thermal Engineer, Mechanisms Engineer | $85K–$145K |
| Electrical Engineering | RF Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Avionics Engineer | $90K–$155K |
| Software Engineering | Flight Software Engineer, Ground Systems Developer | $95K–$165K |
| Systems Engineering | Systems Engineer, Mission Analyst, Integration Lead | $95K–$160K |
| Integration and Test | I&T Engineer, Spacecraft Technician, Test Conductor | $70K–$120K |
| Program Management | Program Manager, IPT Lead, Scheduler | $100K–$165K |
| Geospatial/Intelligence | Imagery Analyst, Data Scientist, ML Engineer | $85K–$150K |
The most in-demand roles at Maxar Denver in 2026 are RF engineers, thermal engineers, and flight software developers. Satellite programs always need these disciplines, and Colorado's space industry creates fierce competition for them — Ball Aerospace (now BAE Systems Space), Lockheed Martin Space, Raytheon, and United Launch Alliance all recruit from the same talent pool in the Denver-Boulder corridor.
Salary and Denver cost of living
Denver's cost of living has increased significantly over the past decade, but it remains cheaper than the Bay Area, Los Angeles, or Seattle. Maxar salaries reflect the Denver-Boulder market rate for aerospace.
| Role | Maxar Denver | Equivalent in LA | Equivalent in DC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineer (mid) | $115K | $130K | $125K |
| Software Engineer (mid) | $125K | $145K | $135K |
| Thermal Engineer (mid) | $110K | $125K | $120K |
| I&T Technician | $72K | $82K | $78K |
| Program Manager | $130K | $148K | $142K |
The Westminster office area has median home prices around $475K-$550K. Many Maxar employees live in Broomfield, Arvada, Louisville, or the northern suburbs along US-36. The commute from Boulder is 25-35 minutes without traffic, though rush hour on US-36 can double that. RTD's Flatiron Flyer bus runs express service between Boulder and Denver along the corridor.
The Denver-Boulder-Colorado Springs corridor has more space industry employers per capita than almost anywhere in the country. If Maxar does not work out or if you want to make a move, you can change companies without changing zip codes. Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin Space, Raytheon Space, ULA, Sierra Space, and dozens of smaller firms are all within a 45-minute drive. This cluster effect makes Denver an excellent long-term base for a space career — you build a network that spans the industry.
How Maxar Denver compares to Colorado competitors
| Company | Denver Area Location | Primary Work | Entry Engineer Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxar | Westminster | EO satellites, robotics | $85K–$100K |
| Lockheed Martin Space | Littleton/Waterton | GPS III, SBIRS, Orion | $78K–$95K |
| Ball Aerospace (BAE) | Boulder/Broomfield | Science instruments, SmallSats | $80K–$98K |
| Raytheon Space | Aurora | Missile warning, sensors | $82K–$98K |
| ULA | Centennial | Atlas V, Vulcan launch vehicles | $80K–$95K |
| Sierra Space | Louisville | Dream Chaser, inflatable modules | $82K–$100K |
Maxar's compensation is competitive for the Denver market. Lockheed Martin offers slightly lower base pay but has stronger retirement benefits and more internal mobility. Ball Aerospace (now BAE Systems Space) is comparable in pay and tends to attract engineers who prefer smaller, more hands-on programs. Sierra Space is the startup-style option with equity potential but less stability.
Working at Maxar Denver: culture and environment
Maxar Denver operates in a typical aerospace office/lab/cleanroom campus. Engineers spend time in open-plan office areas for design work and in cleanrooms and high bays for integration and testing activities. The facility has controlled access — you need a badge to enter the building and additional clearances for classified program areas.
The culture at Maxar leans more toward the smaller-company feel compared to Boeing or Lockheed Martin. Teams are smaller, engineers wear more hats, and you are closer to the hardware. A mid-level engineer at Maxar might be the only thermal analyst on a program, whereas at Lockheed you might be one of a dozen. This is good if you want breadth and ownership; less good if you want deep specialization with mentorship from a large team.
Since going private under Advent, Maxar has been more cost-conscious. Headcount has been managed tightly, and there have been targeted layoffs in some areas while other teams are hiring. The classified government programs tend to be the most stable part of the business because they run on cost-plus contracts with reliable funding.
Work hours are generally 40-45 per week. During spacecraft integration campaigns (the months before a satellite ships to the launch site), overtime is common and can push to 50-60 hour weeks for I&T staff. Engineering design roles maintain more predictable schedules.
How to get hired at Maxar Denver
Maxar posts positions on its careers page (maxar.com/careers). Filter by Denver/Westminster, CO to see current openings. The application process follows a standard aerospace pattern:
- Online application: Resume and cover letter submitted through Maxar's ATS.
- Phone screen (30 min): Technical conversation with the hiring manager or senior engineer. They will ask about your relevant project experience, tools proficiency, and interest in the specific program.
- On-site or virtual panel (2-4 hours): Multiple interviews covering technical depth, behavioral/teamwork questions, and sometimes a practical assessment (design exercise for engineers, coding exercise for software roles).
- Offer: Typically 1-3 weeks after final interview. Includes base salary, bonus target, relocation if applicable.
What stands out in Maxar applications: satellite experience (even from university CubeSat programs), proficiency in specific tools (STK, MATLAB, Ansys, DOORS), and willingness to get a security clearance. Maxar recruits from Colorado School of Mines, CU Boulder, CU Denver, and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Students from these schools with relevant internship experience have a direct pipeline.
Security clearance requirements
A significant percentage of Maxar Denver positions require security clearances:
- Unclassified: WorldView Legion commercial EO work, some commercial satellite bus programs. No clearance needed but U.S. citizenship still required for ITAR compliance.
- Secret: Most DoD satellite programs, some NRO work.
- TS/SCI: NRO programs, classified intelligence satellite work. These positions pay 10-15% more than equivalent unclassified roles and are the hardest to backfill.
Maxar sponsors clearances for new hires. The process takes 6-12 months for Secret and 12-18 months for TS/SCI. If you already hold an active clearance, you are immediately more competitive for Maxar Denver positions.
An active TS/SCI clearance held at Maxar transfers to any other cleared employer in the Denver area. This makes your first clearance a career-long investment. Engineers with TS/SCI in the Denver-Colorado Springs corridor regularly receive recruiter outreach from 5-10 companies at a time. If you can get cleared at Maxar, you unlock the entire classified space job market in Colorado without starting the clearance process over.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maxar a good company to work for?
Maxar gets mixed-to-positive reviews from employees. The work itself — building satellites and processing earth imagery — is engaging. The smaller company size means more ownership and less bureaucracy than the large primes. The downsides: being private means no public stock options, compensation can lag Lockheed Martin or Ball Aerospace for senior roles, and the acquisition/restructuring cycle creates uncertainty. Glassdoor ratings hover around 3.5-3.8 out of 5.
What satellites does Maxar build in Denver?
Maxar Denver builds the WorldView Legion earth observation constellation, maintains the legacy WorldView-3 satellite, and designs/builds the SSL 1300 satellite bus platform for commercial and government customers. The facility also does classified satellite work for the NRO and other intelligence community customers. Maxar's robotic arm work (Canadarm heritage) is also partially based in Denver.
How much do Maxar engineers make in Denver?
Entry-level engineers start at $85K-$100K depending on discipline. Mid-career (5-10 years) ranges from $110K-$145K. Senior engineers and technical leads earn $140K-$165K. Program managers with 10+ years of experience can reach $165K+. These figures are base salary only — Maxar offers annual bonuses, 401(k) match, and standard benefits on top.
Does Maxar require security clearance?
Depends on the program. Commercial earth observation work (WorldView Legion) generally does not require clearance, though ITAR restrictions still mandate U.S. citizenship. DoD and intelligence programs require Secret or TS/SCI. Roughly 40-50% of Maxar Denver positions require some level of clearance. Maxar sponsors clearances for new hires.
Is Maxar hiring in Denver in 2026?
Yes. Maxar maintains active hiring in Denver, particularly for RF engineers, thermal engineers, flight software engineers, and systems engineers. The WorldView Legion constellation completion and classified government satellite programs drive continued demand. The acquisition by Advent created some restructuring, but engineering headcount in Denver has remained relatively stable. Check maxar.com/careers filtered by Denver/Westminster, CO for current openings.
What is the commute like to Maxar Denver?
The Maxar Westminster office is located along US-36 between Denver and Boulder. Commute times from downtown Denver run 20-30 minutes without traffic, but US-36 is notorious for rush-hour congestion — expect 35-50 minutes during peak hours. Boulder to Westminster is 20-25 minutes off-peak. Many employees live in Broomfield, Arvada, or Westminster itself for commutes under 15 minutes. RTD Flatiron Flyer express bus service along US-36 is a viable public transit option.
Browse Maxar careers on Zero G Talent. Explore satellite engineering jobs and aerospace engineering positions in the Denver area. For other Colorado employers, see our guides on Lockheed Martin Colorado jobs and Ball Aerospace careers.
