Space Force civilian jobs in 2026: GS positions, bases, pay, and how to apply
The United States Space Force employs around 7,500 civilians as of 2026. You do not need to enlist. You do not need to pass a fitness test. You do need US citizenship, a willingness to obtain a security clearance, and the patience to work through USAJobs.gov. In exchange, you get federal benefits that private aerospace cannot match, 40-hour weeks that SpaceX employees would find quaint, and direct involvement in defending US space assets.
Space Force civilian jobs span engineering, IT, intelligence, cybersecurity, acquisition, and administration. The USSF civilian workforce has grown steadily since the branch's establishment in December 2019, and that growth is expected to continue through the decade as the Space Force takes on more responsibilities for space domain awareness, satellite communications, and missile warning.
How Space Force civilian employment works
Civilian employees of the Space Force are federal government workers under the Department of the Air Force. Positions are posted on USAJobs.gov, and hiring follows the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) process. Key facts:
- No enlistment or commission required. You are a civilian, not a service member.
- No deployments to combat zones. Positions are at fixed US installations.
- Federal benefits package: FEHB health insurance, FERS pension, Thrift Savings Plan (401k equivalent with 5% government match), 13-26 days paid leave per year based on tenure.
- You work alongside active-duty Guardians (the USSF term for military members) and defense contractors daily.
- Union representation is available for many positions.
Major Space Force civilian job categories
Engineering (OPM Series 0800)
Aerospace, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineers support satellite ground systems, launch range operations, space domain awareness sensors, and command-and-control infrastructure. Engineering roles are typically GS-11 through GS-14. You work on GPS constellation maintenance, missile warning satellites, space surveillance networks, and next-generation protected communications systems.
Cybersecurity and IT (Series 2210)
The Space Force is heavily dependent on digital infrastructure. IT specialists and cybersecurity engineers manage networks, defend against adversary intrusions, and maintain the software systems that run space operations. These are among the most frequently posted Space Force civilian jobs. Grades: GS-9 through GS-14. Read more about related openings on the cybersecurity jobs page.
Intelligence (Series 0132)
Intelligence analysts monitor foreign space programs, assess threats to US space assets, and provide intelligence support to military operations. These roles almost always require TS/SCI clearance. Grades: GS-9 through GS-14. The work is concentrated at Buckley SFB (Denver metro) and Peterson SFB (Colorado Springs).
Acquisition and program management (Series 1102, 0340)
The Space Force acquires billions in satellite systems, launch services, and ground infrastructure annually. Acquisition professionals manage contracts, oversee vendor performance, and keep programs on schedule. These roles cluster at Los Angeles SFB (El Segundo, CA), home of Space Systems Command. Grades: GS-11 through GS-15.
Financial management and administration
Budget analysts, HR specialists, financial managers, and administrative officers. Lower clearance requirements and broader eligibility than technical roles. Grades: GS-7 through GS-13.
| Job series | Category | Typical GS grade | Clearance | Primary locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0800 | Engineering | GS-11 to GS-14 | Secret or TS/SCI | Los Angeles, Schriever, Kirtland |
| 2210 | Cybersecurity / IT | GS-9 to GS-14 | Secret or TS/SCI | Peterson, Buckley, all locations |
| 0132 | Intelligence | GS-9 to GS-14 | TS/SCI | Buckley, Peterson, Schriever |
| 1102 | Contracting / Acquisition | GS-11 to GS-15 | Secret | Los Angeles SFB |
| 0340 | Program Management | GS-12 to GS-15 | Secret or TS/SCI | Los Angeles, Kirtland |
| 0343 | Management Analyst | GS-9 to GS-13 | Secret | Pentagon, Peterson |
Space Force base locations and what each one does
Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO
Home to Space Operations Command (SpOC), the operational arm of the USSF. Peterson is the largest Space Force installation and the top employer of civilians. Roles span operations, IT, intelligence, and administration. Colorado Springs has a moderate cost of living, a large military community, and easy access to outdoor recreation.
Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO
Operates the GPS satellite constellation, missile warning systems, and space control missions. Heavy IT and satellite operations civilian workforce. Located about 10 miles east of Peterson. The base was renamed from Schriever Air Force Base when it transferred to the Space Force.
Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, CO (Denver metro)
Focused on missile warning and space-based intelligence missions. Strong intelligence community civilian presence. Denver metro location means urban amenities, restaurants, and a 29.57% locality pay bump that pushes GS-13 salaries near $137K.
Los Angeles Space Force Base, El Segundo, CA
Home to Space Systems Command (SSC), which manages acquisition of all USSF space systems. The primary location for acquisition professionals, program managers, and systems engineers overseeing major satellite and launch programs. Sits in the LA aerospace corridor alongside Boeing, Raytheon, and The Aerospace Corporation. Highest locality pay of any Space Force base at 35.15%.
Patrick Space Force Base, Cocoa Beach, FL
Supports launch operations at Cape Canaveral. Civilian roles focus on range safety, launch range instrumentation, telemetry, and communications. Florida has no state income tax, which effectively boosts take-home pay. Growing space industry cluster nearby.
Vandenberg Space Force Base, Lompoc, CA
West Coast launch site for polar orbit and sun-synchronous missions. Civilian roles include range operations, safety, and environmental monitoring. Rural Central California coast setting. Quieter and less expensive than LA, with 26.61% locality pay.
| Installation | Location | Command | Locality pay (%) | GS-13 total salary (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peterson SFB | Colorado Springs, CO | SpOC (HQ) | +19.64% | ~$126,000 |
| Schriever SFB | Colorado Springs, CO | SpOC units | +19.64% | ~$126,000 |
| Buckley SFB | Aurora, CO | Buckley Garrison | +29.57% | ~$137,000 |
| Los Angeles SFB | El Segundo, CA | SSC | +35.15% | ~$143,000 |
| Patrick SFB | Cocoa Beach, FL | Space Launch Delta 45 | +19.06% | ~$125,000 |
| Vandenberg SFB | Lompoc, CA | Space Launch Delta 30 | +26.61% | ~$134,000 |
Understanding GS pay and total compensation
Federal civilian employees are paid on the General Schedule, with 15 grades (GS-1 through GS-15) and 10 steps within each grade. Locality pay is added on top of the base salary based on your geographic area. Here are realistic 2026 figures for common Space Force civilian grades:
- GS-9 (entry-level engineer or analyst): $72K-$94K depending on locality
- GS-11 (mid-level): $87K-$114K
- GS-12 (journey-level): $104K-$135K
- GS-13 (senior / team lead): $124K-$161K
- GS-14 (branch chief / subject matter expert): $146K-$190K
- GS-15 (division chief / senior executive feeder): $172K-$195K (statutory cap)
Security clearance: what you need to know
Most USSF civilian positions require at least a Secret clearance. Many technical and intelligence roles require Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI). Practical details:
- US citizenship is mandatory for all cleared positions.
- Background investigation covers 7-10 years of employment, residences, foreign contacts, and finances.
- Financial irresponsibility is the top clearance killer. Unpaid debts, collections, or unexplained wealth raise red flags.
- Secret clearances typically take 2-4 months. TS/SCI can take 6-14 months.
- Interim clearances may let you start working while the full investigation proceeds.
- The Space Force sponsors your clearance. You do not need one before applying. But applicants with existing active clearances move through hiring faster.
How to apply through USAJobs
The USAJobs application process is different from private sector hiring. Specific preparation matters.
- Create a USAJobs account and build a federal resume. Federal resumes are longer than private sector versions: 3-5 pages is normal. Include specific dates, hours per week, supervisor names, and detailed duty descriptions.
- Search for positions using keywords: "USSF," "Space Force," "Space Systems Command," or job series numbers (0800, 2210, 0132).
- Answer KSA questionnaires carefully. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities assessments are scored and used for initial screening.
- Submit transcripts if the posting lists education requirements.
- Wait. Federal hiring runs 4-12 weeks from application to tentative offer. Some positions take longer.
Space Force civilian jobs compared to private aerospace
| Factor | USSF civilian (GS) | Defense contractor | Commercial space |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job security | Very high (federal protections) | Contract-dependent | Performance-dependent |
| Mid-career salary | $120K-$160K | $130K-$180K | $140K-$210K+ |
| Benefits | Pension + TSP + FEHB | 401k + health | Equity + 401k |
| Work-life balance | 40-hour weeks typical | 40-50 hours | 50-60+ hours common |
| Clearance | Sponsored | Sponsored or required | Rarely needed |
| Career path | Structured GS ladder | Company-dependent | Fast but unstructured |
| Mission | National security (direct) | National security (support) | Commercial innovation |
The GS system pays less in raw salary than SpaceX or top defense contractors at senior levels. The pension makes up for it over a full career. A 25-year federal employee retiring at GS-14 receives roughly $50K-$60K per year in pension income for life, adjusted for inflation. No private employer matches that.
The federal pension is the single most underrated benefit in aerospace. A 20-year Space Force civilian retiring at 57 collects a guaranteed income stream that would require over a million dollars in savings to replicate.
Start your application
Browse defense and Space Force jobs on Zero G Talent for aggregated listings from USAJobs and defense contractors. For related roles, explore ground systems jobs, satellite operations positions, and cybersecurity roles across the space industry.
The Space Force civilian workforce is growing. Your clearance investigation starts after you apply, your pension vests after 5 years, and the work involves defending the satellite infrastructure that the rest of the economy depends on. Open a USAJobs account this week.
