Maxar Technologies careers in 2026: Earth observation and space infrastructure
Maxar Technologies builds the satellites that photograph the Earth in extraordinary detail and the robotic systems that will help build the Gateway lunar station. After going private in a $6.4 billion acquisition by Advent International in early 2023, Maxar has stepped out of the public market spotlight, but the company remains one of the most important players in commercial space. If you are looking for a career that combines satellite engineering with real-world geospatial intelligence, Maxar is worth a close look.
With approximately 4,500 employees spread across Colorado, California, and several smaller offices, Maxar operates at the intersection of space hardware and data analytics. The company builds high-resolution Earth observation satellites, manufactures commercial geostationary communication satellites, and develops robotic arms for space stations. Its imagery products serve the U.S. Department of Defense, intelligence community, and commercial customers worldwide.
What Maxar builds and operates
Maxar's business breaks into three main areas, each with distinct engineering teams and career paths.
Earth observation (WorldView constellation)
Maxar operates the highest-resolution commercial Earth observation constellation in the world. The WorldView satellites capture imagery at 30 cm resolution, which means you can see individual cars, count trees, and measure building dimensions from orbit. The next-generation WorldView Legion satellites launched in 2024 and 2025 are expanding capacity and revisit rates.
The Earth observation business generates revenue through:
- U.S. government contracts (NGA, NRO) for defense and intelligence imagery
- Commercial subscriptions for mapping, agriculture, insurance, and urban planning
- Emergency response imagery for natural disasters
Space infrastructure and robotics
Maxar builds robotic arms and servicing systems for space. The company's heritage goes back to Canadarm and Canadarm2 on the Space Shuttle and ISS. Currently, Maxar is developing robotic components for NASA's Gateway lunar station, including the Canadarm3 system.
The robotics team also works on on-orbit servicing concepts: satellite repair, refueling, and debris removal. This is a growing area as the space industry moves toward a more sustainable orbital environment.
Commercial satellites (SSL heritage)
Maxar's satellite manufacturing business builds large geostationary communication satellites for commercial operators and government agencies. The 1300-series platform has been the workhorse of the industry for decades, with over 100 satellites built on the platform. This business has faced pressure from the shift toward smaller LEO constellations, but GEO satellites remain essential for broadcast, direct-to-home TV, and certain communications markets.
Maxar was formed through mergers of several well-known space companies: Space Systems Loral (SSL), DigitalGlobe, MDA, and Radiant Solutions. If you see people reference "SSL heritage" or "DigitalGlobe experience" on LinkedIn, they are talking about teams that now fall under the Maxar umbrella. This legacy means deep institutional knowledge in satellite manufacturing and remote sensing.
Maxar Technologies careers: locations and offices
| Location | Focus | Approx. Headcount |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster, CO (HQ) | Corporate, Earth observation, geospatial analytics | ~2,000 |
| Palo Alto, CA | Satellite manufacturing (1300-series), GEO spacecraft | ~1,200 |
| San Jose, CA | Robotics, space infrastructure, Canadarm3 | ~500 |
| Herndon, VA | Government relations, geospatial solutions | ~300 |
| Various (field) | Ground station operations, international offices | ~500 |
Westminster, Colorado is the company headquarters and the center of Maxar's Earth observation and geospatial business. Software engineers, data scientists, image processing specialists, and satellite operations staff are concentrated here. Westminster is a suburb of Denver, offering a mix of urban amenities and access to the Rocky Mountains.
Palo Alto, California is the legacy SSL manufacturing facility. If you want to work on building satellites, from power systems and thermal control to structural integration and testing, Palo Alto is the place. The facility includes cleanrooms, thermal vacuum chambers, and vibration testing equipment.
San Jose, California houses the robotics and space infrastructure teams. This is where Canadarm3 components are designed and tested. Mechanical engineers, controls engineers, and software developers working on robotic systems are based here.
Roles and salary ranges at Maxar
Maxar hires across a wide range of engineering and technical disciplines. Here are the most common roles and what they pay in 2026.
| Role | Salary Range | Primary Location |
|---|---|---|
| Satellite Systems Engineer | $105K - $155K | Palo Alto, Westminster |
| Software Engineer | $100K - $160K | Westminster, San Jose |
| Image Processing Engineer | $95K - $145K | Westminster |
| RF / Communications Engineer | $100K - $150K | Palo Alto |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90K - $140K | Palo Alto, San Jose |
| Thermal Engineer | $95K - $140K | Palo Alto |
| Power Systems Engineer | $95K - $145K | Palo Alto |
| GIS / Geospatial Analyst | $75K - $115K | Westminster, Herndon |
| Data Scientist | $100K - $155K | Westminster |
| Robotics / Controls Engineer | $105K - $155K | San Jose |
| Program Manager | $110K - $165K | All locations |
| Integration & Test Engineer | $90K - $135K | Palo Alto |
Maxar's compensation is generally competitive with the broader aerospace industry but sits below what FAANG companies or high-growth startups pay for equivalent software and data roles. The tradeoff is that Maxar offers more stability (as a large, established company) and the chance to work on real space hardware rather than ad-tech or social media.
Many Maxar positions, especially in the Earth observation and geospatial intelligence business units, require or prefer a U.S. security clearance (Secret or Top Secret/SCI). If you already hold a clearance, you are in high demand. If you do not, Maxar will sponsor clearances for the right candidates, but the process takes 6-12 months for Secret and longer for TS/SCI.
What it is like to work at Maxar
Maxar's culture falls somewhere between a traditional defense contractor and a tech company. The pace is slower than SpaceX or a venture-backed startup, but faster than Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman on most programs. Work-life balance is generally reasonable, with most engineers working 40 to 50 hours per week.
Strengths:
- Deep technical expertise in satellite manufacturing and remote sensing. You will work with people who have been building satellites for 20+ years
- Variety of programs: Earth observation, GEO commsats, robotics, and government analytics all under one roof
- Colorado headquarters means access to one of the strongest aerospace job markets in the country (alongside Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin Space, United Launch Alliance, and Sierra Space)
Considerations:
- The transition to private ownership under Advent International means less public financial transparency. Some employees have reported uncertainty about long-term strategic direction
- The GEO satellite manufacturing business faces secular headwinds as the industry shifts toward LEO constellations
- Palo Alto cost of living is high, which offsets some of the salary competitiveness
~4,500 employees
EO + GEO + Robotics
Private (Advent)
40-50 hr weeks
$90K-$165K eng
~900 employees
EO (small sats)
Public (NYSE: PL)
40-45 hr weeks
$100K-$180K eng
~5,500 employees
Gov sats + instruments
Private (BAE)
40-45 hr weeks
$85K-$155K eng
How to apply for Maxar Technologies careers
Maxar posts all open positions on its careers page at maxar.com/careers. The application process is straightforward:
- Create a profile on the Maxar careers portal
- Search by location, keyword, or job category
- Submit your resume and cover letter
- If selected, expect a phone screen followed by 2-3 rounds of technical and behavioral interviews
- Timeline: typically 4-8 weeks from application to offer
Tips for Maxar applications:
- If you have remote sensing, image processing, or GIS experience, highlight it prominently. Maxar's core business is geospatial data
- MATLAB, Python, and C++ are the most common programming languages across Maxar's technical teams
- Experience with satellite subsystems (power, thermal, AOCS, propulsion, RF) is directly applicable to both the EO and GEO programs
- If you are applying from a defense background, emphasize programs where you worked with satellite imagery or signals intelligence
Frequently asked questions about Maxar careers
Is Maxar a good company to work for? Maxar generally receives positive reviews for technical work quality and collegial culture. Glassdoor ratings hover around 3.5-3.8 out of 5. The main complaints are typical of mid-size aerospace: bureaucracy on large programs and occasional uncertainty about business direction post-privatization.
Does Maxar hire new graduates? Yes. Maxar runs internship programs and hires entry-level engineers, particularly in systems engineering, software, and mechanical engineering. New grad salaries start around $75,000 to $95,000 depending on role and location.
Do I need a security clearance? For roughly 40-50% of positions, yes. The Earth observation and government solutions divisions handle classified programs. The commercial satellite manufacturing side has fewer clearance requirements.
What happened when Maxar went private? Advent International acquired Maxar in early 2023 for $6.4 billion. The company delisted from the NYSE and Toronto Stock Exchange. Employee stock options converted to cash at the acquisition price. Operations have continued largely unchanged, with Advent providing capital for growth investments.
Maxar sits at a unique intersection in the space industry: it builds the hardware that orbits Earth and processes the data that hardware collects. Few companies offer that full stack.
Explore related opportunities
If Maxar's work interests you, explore similar roles at other Earth observation and satellite companies. Browse remote sensing jobs, satellite engineering positions, and open roles at Planet Labs, Viasat, and L3Harris on Zero G Talent. You can also explore the full Colorado aerospace job market where Maxar is headquartered.
