Space Command jobs in 2026: civilian, military, and contractor roles at USSPACECOM

US Space Command protects American and allied satellites, tracks debris and threats, and runs the military's space operations. It is not the Space Force — it is the combatant command that uses Space Force personnel (and Army, Navy, and civilian staff) to execute missions. That distinction matters when you are job hunting, because Space Command positions come through several different pipelines depending on whether you want a uniform, a GS badge, or a contractor ID.

USSPACECOM is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with elements at Vandenberg SFB, Schriever SFB, and facilities worldwide. Roughly 1,400 military and civilian personnel work directly for the command, with thousands more supporting it through defense contractors.

Civilian positions at USSPACECOM

Civilian jobs at Space Command fall under the General Schedule (GS) pay scale. Colorado Springs falls in the "Rest of US" locality pay area, though this may be reclassified to a higher locality in coming years given the concentration of defense jobs.

GS Grade	Typical roles	2026 salary estimate (COS locality)
GS-7/9	Junior intelligence analysts, admin specialists	$55,000 – $72,000
GS-11	Mid-level analysts, space operations specialists	$73,000 – $95,000
GS-12	Senior analysts, program specialists, engineers	$87,000 – $113,000
GS-13	Subject matter experts, branch chiefs	$103,000 – $134,000
GS-14	Division chiefs, senior program managers	$122,000 – $159,000
GS-15	Directors, senior executives	$144,000 – $186,000

The most common civilian roles at USSPACECOM include:

• Intelligence analysts (GS-0132 series) — Tracking space threats, foreign anti-satellite capabilities, and orbital activity patterns. This is the largest civilian job family at the command.
• Space operations specialists — Coordinating satellite tasking, conjunction assessments, and space domain awareness. Often requires prior military space experience.
• Cyber operations specialists — Defending space systems from network intrusions and electronic warfare. Cybersecurity clearance requirements are among the strictest in DoD.
• Program managers (GS-0340 series) — Overseeing acquisition programs, budgets, and interagency coordination. Prior acquisition experience (DAWIA certification) is a strong differentiator.
• Operations research analysts — Modeling space scenarios, war-gaming, and decision support. Heavy on MATLAB, Python, and simulation tools.

Military positions: Space Force and Army

The military backbone of Space Command comes primarily from the United States Space Force, with Army SATCOM units also playing a role.

Space Force enlisted — The 1C6 career field (Space Systems Operations) is the core enlisted specialty. These operators run satellite command and control, missile warning systems, and space surveillance networks. Entry requires ASVAB scores in the electronics and general categories, plus a TS/SCI clearance. The pipeline starts with BMT at Lackland AFB followed by technical training at Vandenberg SFB.

Space Force officers — The 17S (Space Operations Officer) career field manages space operations at the unit and staff level. Commissioning sources include the Air Force Academy, ROTC, and OTS. A technical degree is not strictly required but is strongly preferred. Many 17S officers hold degrees in engineering, physics, or computer science.

Army space — The Army's 25S (Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer) MOS supports SATCOM for ground forces. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) provides personnel to USSPACECOM for integrated operations.

Branch	Key specialty	Entry path	Typical assignment locations
Space Force (enlisted)	1C6 – Space Systems Ops	BMT + tech school	Schriever SFB, Buckley SFB, Vandenberg SFB
Space Force (officer)	17S – Space Ops Officer	USAFA, ROTC, OTS	Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, Pentagon
Army	25S – SATCOM Operator	BCT + AIT	Fort Eisenhower, various

Contractor roles and who hires for them

Defense contractors provide a large share of Space Command's technical workforce. If you want to work at USSPACECOM without joining the military or navigating the federal hiring process, a contractor position is the fastest path.

Major contractors supporting USSPACECOM:

• Lockheed Martin — Space domain awareness systems, missile warning, satellite ground systems. Lockheed is the prime on several USSPACECOM mission support contracts.
• Northrop Grumman — Space situational awareness, ground-based radar, and C2 (command and control) systems. Northrop's presence in Colorado Springs is substantial.
• Boeing — Satellite operations support, GPS ground segment work, and mission planning tools.
• SAIC — Intelligence analysis support, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity. SAIC holds multiple USSPACECOM task orders.
• Booz Allen Hamilton — Strategy consulting, analytics, and program management support. Strong on the intelligence and cyber side.
• Parsons — Space electronic warfare, signals intelligence, and technical integration.
• Leidos — IT modernization, cloud migration, and data analytics for space operations.

Contractor salaries in Colorado Springs typically run 10 to 20 percent above equivalent GS positions because contractors do not receive federal benefits (pension, FEHB health insurance, TSP matching). A GS-13 equivalent contractor role might pay $120,000 to $150,000 annually.

Security clearance requirements

This is the gatekeeper. Nearly every position at Space Command — civilian, military, or contractor — requires at minimum a Secret clearance, and most operational roles require Top Secret/SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information).

What the investigation covers:

• Criminal history (federal, state, local)
• Financial records (debt, bankruptcy, collections)
• Foreign contacts and travel
• Drug use history (recent use is typically disqualifying)
• Employment verification going back 10 years
• Interviews with references, neighbors, and coworkers

The timeline for a TS/SCI investigation averages 6 to 12 months as of 2026, down from the 18+ month backlogs of previous years. DCSA (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency) has made progress clearing the queue, but complex cases still take longer.

Clearance level	Typical roles	Investigation scope	Reinvestigation cycle
Secret	Admin, some IT, logistics	5-year history	Every 10 years
Top Secret	Analysts, operators, engineers	10-year history	Every 6 years
TS/SCI	Intel, cyber, operations center staff	10-year + polygraph	Continuous evaluation

Space Command vs. similar organizations

USSPACECOM is not the only space-focused military organization hiring. Here is how it compares to related agencies:

Organization	Focus	HQ location	Civilian hiring portal
USSPACECOM	Space operations, command authority	Peterson SFB, CO	USAJobs
US Space Force	Organize, train, equip space forces	Pentagon / Peterson SFB	USAJobs + AF Civilian Service
NRO (National Reconnaissance Office)	Classified satellite systems	Chantilly, VA	nro.gov/careers
MDA (Missile Defense Agency)	Missile defense systems, sensors	Redstone Arsenal, AL	USAJobs
Space Development Agency	Proliferated LEO architecture	Redstone Arsenal, AL	USAJobs
NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency)	GEOINT from space-based sensors	Springfield, VA	nga.mil/careers

The Space Force provides the people and equipment. USSPACECOM uses them for operations. The NRO builds and operates the classified satellite fleet. These organizations exchange personnel regularly, so a career that starts at one often passes through the others.

Space Command does not build spacecraft. It uses them. If you want to operate space systems rather than design them, this is the right organization.

Cost of living in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has lower housing costs than Denver, DC, or the Bay Area, which makes the GS salary stretch further.

Expense	Monthly estimate (2026)
1BR apartment (near Peterson SFB)	$1,200 – $1,600
2BR apartment	$1,500 – $2,000
Groceries	$350 – $450
Transportation (car-dependent area)	$300 – $500
Utilities	$150 – $200

Colorado has no city or county income tax but does have a state income tax of 4.4% (flat rate). The military community is large, and the city has a lower cost of living than most major defense hubs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a Space Command job without military experience? Yes. Civilian GS positions and contractor roles do not require prior military service. However, military experience (especially in space operations) gives you a significant advantage for operational roles. For pure technical or analytical positions, relevant civilian experience and education are equally valued.

Do I need a STEM degree? Not for every role. Intelligence analysts often hold political science, international relations, or area studies degrees. Program managers may have business or public administration backgrounds. But for engineering, cyber, and operations research roles, a technical degree is expected.

How long does federal hiring take? From application close to job offer, expect 60 to 120 days for most positions. Some competitive service positions use Direct Hire Authority, which can shorten the process to 30 to 45 days. USAJobs postings will specify which hiring authority applies.

Is remote work available at USSPACECOM? Limited. Most positions require on-site presence due to classified work environments (SCIFs). Some administrative and program management roles offer hybrid schedules with 1 to 2 remote days per week, but this is the exception.

Where to search

Space Command civilian roles are posted on USAJobs.gov. Contractor positions appear on company career sites for Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and others listed above. You can also search all defense and space positions on Zero G Talent's defense jobs page or browse cybersecurity roles and program management openings across the industry.