Space, Aerospace & Satellite Recruitment
engineered for high-tempo missions
We build the flight software squads, GNC leads and payload architects behind ambitious launch, propulsion, satellite systems and defence programmes in the UK, Europe and the US — sourced by space specialists and backed by our own market research.
Authority & industry access
The Space Curious Network
In-depth conversations with leaders from D-Orbit, Redwire, Rivada Space Networks, Airbus and OHB.
Guests on The Space Curious Podcast, hosted by Arn Terry — not clients.
Proprietary market intelligence
Authors of The State of Space Talent 2026 — benchmarking pay, skills shortages and hiring trends across the space sector.
The State of Space Talent 2026
Our field report on hiring, funding and the widening talent gap across the global commercial space industry — built from research across 30+ countries and 250+ companies.
Space and aerospace recruitment across the full mission stack
Exploration, mining, satellites, autonomy, AI, cyber, mission ops — DE Orbit covers the full stack.
- Spacecraft & satellite engineering squads
- Flight software & autonomy teams
- Ground segment & mission operations
- Geospatial / EO data & AI capability
- Cleared and compliance-sensitive hiring
Upstream Spacecraft Manufacturing & Propulsion Recruitment
We recruit the engineers who design, build and qualify flight hardware — from launch vehicle stages to spacecraft buses and propulsion systems.
Propulsion engineering
- Liquid, solid and hybrid rocket propulsion
- Electric and green propulsion for satellites
- Turbomachinery, combustion and test campaigns
Manufacturing & structures
- Primary structures, composites and additive manufacturing
- Thermal control and mechanisms
- AIT, quality assurance and verification & validation
Satellite Systems, RF & Communications Recruitment
From constellation architecture to payload delivery, we place the satellite systems and RF specialists who keep spacecraft performing in orbit.
Satellite systems
- Satellite systems engineering and bus avionics
- AOCS, power and onboard data handling
- Earth observation and optical payloads
RF & communications
- RF, antenna and phased-array design
- Ka/Ku/optical inter-satellite links
- Signal processing, FPGA and SATCOM networks
Launch, GNC & Mission Operations Recruitment
We build the launch, guidance and ground teams that get missions off the pad and operate them safely — with autonomy increasingly at the core.
GNC & autonomy
- Guidance, navigation and control (GNC) engineers
- Flight software and autonomy for rendezvous and docking
- Simulation, digital twins and hardware-in-the-loop
Launch & mission operations
- Launch operations, range safety and pad integration
- Mission operations and flight dynamics
- Ground segment, telemetry and ground station networks
Defence, ISR & Space Domain Awareness Recruitment
We support defence primes and sovereign space programmes with cleared talent for ISR, space domain awareness and resilient space infrastructure.
ISR & intelligence
- Space-based ISR: optical, SAR and RF sensing
- Geospatial intelligence and data exploitation
- Space domain awareness and tracking
Defence programmes
- Security-cleared engineers (SC/DV, ITAR-aware hiring)
- Secure communications and cyber resilience
- Programme, mission assurance and systems leadership
Not another space recruiter
Three things we do that generalist agencies can't.
Mission-ready squads
After a raise or a contract win, hiring one engineer every few months is too slow.
We map and deliver connected teams — systems, flight software, RF, AIT — that fit together technically and work as one from day one.
A wider talent pipeline
Recruiting only from the big primes inflates salaries and dries up shortlists.
We bring in proven people from autonomous vehicles, robotics, defence and mission-critical software, and assess how their skills transfer to space.
Inside the industry
Most recruiters can't tell a star tracker from a payload, or know where talent is moving.
We host the Space Curious podcast and talk to the people doing the work — Harrison Lambert, GNC specialist at Longshot Space, is on Episode 10, and a conversation with the CEO of Diffraqtion lands in the next few weeks. Our 2026 State of Space Talent report turns that into numbers.
Listen: Harrison Lambert on space cannonsSatellite, launch and space technology capabilities
DE Orbit supports the teams building the future of space — from spacecraft systems and mission software to satellite operations, space data platforms, and in-space infrastructure.
Space Exploration & Launch
- Avionics, GNC, flight software, propulsion, structures
- Launch operations, mission assurance, safety & reliability
- Ground systems, telemetry, integration & test
Satellite & Space Tech
- Satellite payloads, comms, RF, antenna, signal processing
- Earth observation, geospatial analytics, ISR pipelines
- Space-to-ground networking, edge compute, onboard AI
Space Mining & In-Space Infrastructure
- ISRU concepts, robotics, autonomy, sensing & navigation
- Autonomous operations, remote systems, digital twins
- Supply chain, manufacturing, QA, verification & validation
AI, Data & Cyber for Space
- ML/AI for autonomy, anomaly detection, mission planning
- Data engineering, streaming pipelines, geospatial ML
- Secure architectures, cyber resilience, compliance
Space engineering roles we recruit
Permanent, contract, and project teams. If you don't see a role listed, ask — we likely cover it.
Speed, signal, and outcomes
A simple process designed for mission-driven teams.
Tell us the mission
You share what you're building, your timeline, budget, location/remote constraints, and the must-have skills.
Shortlist in days, not weeks
We bring a tight shortlist screened for technical depth, flight-ready delivery track record, and communication.
Interview support & close
We run scheduling, feedback loops, offer support, and de-risk the hire with structured references.
Scale the team
Once the first hire lands, we replicate — building squads across systems, software, data, and operations.
Build your space and aerospace team
Whether you're scaling a satellite program, building autonomous systems, or pushing toward in-space infrastructure — DE Orbit brings the people who move fast and deliver.
Space recruitment FAQs
Do you do permanent hires, contract, or both?
Both. DE Orbit supports permanent, contract, and project-based hiring depending on your delivery model.
What geographies do you cover?
UK, US, Europe, and global markets (including remote-first teams). If you need clearance or local compliance, we'll align to your requirements.
How fast can you deliver candidates?
For common space-tech profiles, we aim to present a shortlist quickly (often within days) — speed depends on role complexity and location/clearance constraints.
What makes DE Orbit different?
Three things. First, we build whole teams, not single seats — after a funding round or contract win we deliver a squad that works together from day one. Second, we bridge talent in from adjacent high-reliability sectors such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, defence and mission-critical software, so you are not fighting over the same small pool. Third, we have real market insight: we host the Space Curious podcast — Harrison Lambert, GNC specialist at Longshot Space, is on Episode 10 and a conversation with the CEO of Diffraqtion is published in the next few weeks — and we publish the annual State of Space Talent report.
Explore more
Related practices, candidate resources and the space industry podcast.
- Executive search and C-suite appointmentsConfidential board and senior leadership search across the UK and US.
- ERP and CRM recruitment servicesSAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Infor and Salesforce specialists.
- The Space Curious Podcast episodesConversations with the people building the future of the space industry.
- Live jobs and CV submission for candidatesBrowse current vacancies or send us your CV for upcoming roles.
- Arn Terry, Founder & Director of Daniel ErnestFounder profile, expertise and podcast host.
- Contact the Daniel Ernest hiring teamTalk to us about a vacancy, a search mandate or your next move.