Millennium Space Systems in 2026: Contracts, Hiring, and What to Expect
Millennium Space Systems in 2026: contracts, hiring, and what to expect
Millennium Space Systems is a Boeing subsidiary headquartered in El Segundo, California, specializing in small satellite design and manufacturing for national security space. The company has approximately 1,000 employees, over $1.3 billion in active contracts, and a backlog of 70–80 satellites to deliver over the next four years. Under new CEO Tony Gingiss (appointed December 2024), Millennium is transitioning from a boutique satellite builder into a defense production house.
Active programs
| Program | Customer | Satellites | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MWT MEO Epoch 1 (missile tracking) | Space Force | 12 | ~$895M | Delivery mid-2027 |
| FOO Fighter (F2) | Space Development Agency | 8 | $414M | Launch targeted Q4 FY2026 |
| NASA TRACERS | NASA | 2 | — | Launched July 2025, operational |
MWT MEO Epoch 1 is the largest program — 12 satellites for the Space Force's Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking constellation in medium Earth orbit. The first contract ($509M, December 2023) covers 6 satellites; a second contract ($386M, October 2024) added 6 more after Millennium replaced RTX on Plane 2. Boeing builds the electro-optical infrared sensors; L3Harris supplies infrared payloads for FOO Fighter.
NASA TRACERS launched July 23, 2025 on Falcon 9 from Vandenberg — Millennium's first NASA science mission. The twin spacecraft study magnetic reconnection and solar wind interactions with Earth's magnetosphere.
Millennium was not selected for SDA Tranche 3 Tracking Layer contracts ($3.5B, December 2025) — those went to Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, Rocket Lab, and Northrop Grumman. BAE Systems won the follow-on Epoch 2 ($1.2B, June 2025). This means Millennium's current defense work is concentrated in Epoch 1 and FOO Fighter, with future growth dependent on new contract wins.
Hiring and growth
Millennium is in active growth mode:
- Production space expanding from 22,000 sq ft to nearly 42,000 sq ft
- Boeing opened a new 9,000 sq ft sensor production line in El Segundo (February 2026)
- Output target ramping from 1–2 satellites/month to 6–12/month
- Targeting 26 spacecraft deliveries in 2026, up from 12 in 2025
All work is in El Segundo, CA — there's one location. Almost all programs are military/defense with no commercial business.
Active hiring areas include software engineers, spacecraft avionics engineers, optical systems engineers, IT systems engineers, and summer 2026 internships. Jobs are posted through Boeing's careers portal (jobs.boeing.com).
Salary ranges
| Role | Estimated Annual Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer (general) | $110K–$159K | Avg base ~$127K |
| Software Engineer | ~$130K | Better compensation satisfaction (4.4/5) |
| Spacecraft Avionics Engineer | $126K–$183K | Avg base ~$144K |
| Lead Systems Engineer | ~$214K | LA metro area |
| Wire Harness Engineer | $94K–$132K | Avg base ~$107K |
Base salaries run 8–12% below some competitors, though Boeing RSU grants and benefits close part of the gap. Software engineers report higher compensation satisfaction than hardware engineers.
Glassdoor ratings
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3.4/5 (~114 reviews) |
| Work-Life Balance | 4.3/5 |
| Compensation & Benefits | 3.6/5 |
| Culture & Values | 3.1/5 |
| Career Opportunities | 3.4/5 |
| Recommend to friend | 50% |
Positives: 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off), meaningful national security work, solid PTO, strong work-life balance scores. Concerns: Employee morale during leadership transition, turnover during rapid scaling, compensation perceived as below competitors for non-software roles.
What it's like to work there
Millennium retains the feel of a smaller company despite Boeing ownership — engineers work across the full satellite lifecycle from design through integration and operations. The 9/80 schedule is a genuine benefit, and the 4.3/5 work-life balance rating is among the highest in defense space.
The main trade-off is El Segundo concentration — there are no satellite campuses or remote locations. If you want to work on military small-sat programs in Southern California with a manageable schedule, Millennium fits. If you need geographic flexibility or top-of-market compensation, larger primes or commercial companies may be a better match.
Clearance requirement: Most positions require Secret or TS/SCI clearance eligibility. US citizenship is required for nearly all roles.
How to apply
Applications go through Boeing's careers portal at jobs.boeing.com — search for "Millennium Space Systems" to filter to MSS-specific roles. The interview process typically includes a recruiter screen, 1–2 technical interviews, and an on-site visit. Expect technical questions focused on spacecraft subsystems relevant to the role.
Browse space defense jobs on Zero G Talent, or compare with Northrop Grumman careers (855 openings), Lockheed Martin careers, or Boeing careers. For salary context, see our aerospace engineer salary guide.
