What once was a small field of study has grown into one of the most influential technology innovation drivers to date, the space industry has grown significantly. As more companies emerge from this industry, people from across the world are now able to pick and choose which space company they should be working for.
It’s a relief since for the longest of times, people’s skills in space were very niche. But now that space is an interest for so many people, there is much higher demand. The real question now is which are the best space companies to work for?
Well there are plenty of options, but I put together a list of some viable options to consider.
SpaceX
You could say this is the company that brought so much growth to this industry and you’re not wrong. Similar to Tesla, Elon Musk’s companies have a way of expanding whatever industry or market it touches.
Naturally, working for this giant would be amazing and there is plenty of work to be had. For one SpaceX plans on firing more rockets and satellites into space and that requires a lot of manpower. Beyond that, the company raised over $1.3 billion in funding in 2019 ensuring they have ample funds to do the job and pay for wages. Managing to work with this innovative company can ensure great stability.
Blue Origin
Another big player in this industry is Jeff Bazos. With an incredible amount of wealth, Jeff Bazos has money to fund his own space company called Blue Origin. It’s been around since late 2000s and is focused around making space cheaper and more reliable through reusable launch vehicles.
The company takes pride in building upon previous stages of development, ensuring you will be using your skills further and further and that there would be consistent work should you find a job there.
NASA
The company that started it all, NASA (short for National Aeronautics and Space Administration). It’s an independent agency of the federal government that’s responsible for space programs, and aeronautics and space research. Unlike the previous two mentioned, this has a more science focus above all else and is aimed at discovering new things about space and the planets in our solar system. This also entails learning more about Earth as well.
Beyond that it supports all kinds of space programs. The most popular one is the International Space Station which is overseeing the development of the Orion spacecraft, the Space Launch System, and Commerical Crew vehicles.
NASA is one of the most influential bodies out there and offers plenty of jobs for those with the skills to fill them.
JPL
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a research and development centre working in the US. It’s federally funded and is a branch of NASA. The core function of this center is the construction and operation of spacecrafts as you might’ve guessed from the name. However, it also conducts Earth-orbit and astronomy missions and also operates NASA’s Deep Space Network.
It has several projects lined up and works closely with NASA on a number of things. As such, it’s not so different from working with NASA and has its own thrills and excitement.
AQST
Advanced Quantum Scientific Technology is a company that provides advanced space engineering solutions for satellite technologies on a domestic and international level. It does this through telecommunications, IoT, data science, and additive manufacturing through the various facilities it has.
From this sheer size alone, it’s a good place to be working for since there are many fields you can apply for. Furthermore, you’ll have the ability to work from many places due to the wide amount of facilities.
You’ll also have plenty of work since this company is just a start-up, though possesses proven intellectual property and designs for space solutions.
Astroscale
While the planet’s own climate is a concern, another growing one is the amount of space debris that is floating around Earth. This problem will only continue to get worse as more companies are looking to fire rockets into space. As a result some companies are built for the purpose of removing some of that debris that’s lingering around.
This is one of the best space companies to work for for those who care more about the planet and are looking to put their efforts towards something.
Going into more detail about what the company has done, Astroscale offers two core services: a program called End of Life (EOL) and another called Active Debris Removal (ADR). The idea is that ADR services work with international space agencies and provide them with cutting-edge technology that allow missions of capturing and removing environmentally critical debris. Things like rocket upper stages and satellites that are now defunct.
Astroscale also is well equipped with assisting with future space debris thanks to EOL which is a spacecraft retrieval service for international satellite operators. The idea is for the debris to be docked and then removed properly.
BEI Precision
Another interesting space company to be working for BEI Precision. This company focuses on application-based motion control parts and subsystems. It offers its services to space agencies, but also offers these services to military, aviation, range tracking, and other scientific programs.
Even though this company makes these for all kinds of companies, this is one of the go to options for many space agencies since they’ve developed these systems for over 60 years.
Hypergiant
Hypergiant is a company that puts more focus on the issues humanity is facing in data intelligence and other problems that stem from the development of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In order to combat these challenges, the company aims to create AI-driven technologies and commercial products that are offered to Fortune 500 and government branches.
Naturally, this company would be working closely with space science and exploration as well as satellite communications, aviation, defense, healthcare, transportation and several others. It’s another ideal company to work for as it requires a lot of empathy and care into the products that would ultimately change people’s lives. It’s truly meaningful work.
ILC Dover
Another player in space exploration that isn’t as known is ILC Dover. It’s got a lot of rich history since World War 2 and aims to accelerate space exploration through various methods. It offers continuous innovation and works closely with industry partners in making space suits, space habitats, and landing airbags. All in all it’s all about protecting people as you can guess and thus leads to truly meaningful work. It’s one of the best companies to work for since you know your work has the chance of saving someone else’s life and making a difference.
Paragon Space Development Corporation
Based out of Arizona, this company has been putting in great and meaningful work since 1993. It’s the pioneer company behind life support and thermal control solutions for mission-critical operations. Because of the degree of the job, this company is highly innovative and offers high-quality systems to operations.
Because of their line of work, it’s possible to be working with other major players in the industry. For example there is a project right now for Paragon to develop a Brine Processor Assembly for the International Space Station. There’s also a humidity control sub-assembly they’re making for the Boeing CST-100.
It’s another solid option as the company is always challenging you to think creatively and also working with businesses who are looking to make more advances and change in the world. Creating meaningful work is a sign of a good company to work with.
SpaceFab
Another pioneering company, this company focuses more on satellite space telescopes. Through these products, there will be more opportunities for astronomical or earth observation images. You can actually choose to see these images of earth right now.
What’s also really interesting about these telescopes is that these work on any kind of satellite ensuring the company isn’t stuck with making these specialized telescopes for a specific customer base.
Beyond that, the telescopes are meant to overcome the various challenges of existing technologies making them highly innovative too. Pair that up with low costs for these, you can imagine that the work will be challenging and exciting like the rest of these companies.
Thermal Management Technologies
Thermal Management Technologies (TMT) is an engineering and development company that offers satellite thermal control and structures. Going into more detail, they provide things like thermal straps, storage units, radiators, release mechanisms and small spacecraft structures. This company makes our list based around the company culture. Their mission is focused on enabling customers’ dreams and having a happy community. With that in mind, it’s clear that company culture has a higher priority making it ideal to work for them despite the fact you’re focused on making specific parts.
Spira Manufacturing
Another manufacturer that’s been around since 1978, they focus on making Electromagnetic Interference and Radio-Frequency Interference shielding products. It’s a highly reliable company and still offers competitive prices and high-quality. Since it’s a manufacturer, it offers a tonne of different positions of various skills.
Even though this company seems detached from space programs at first blush, these are crucial to have for satellites. These products ensure that signals from satellites aren’t going to be disrupted along the way. So even though chances are high you’re not going to be working too closely with space companies, your contributions through this work will make some impact in the industry.
Swarm Technologies
Known for making sandwich-side low-fi affordable satellites, this company is focused on providing these satellites to smaller and less data-intensive communications. The idea with this company is to provide these satellites to provide remote access to a network that doesn’t have to have hyper-speed connections.
For example, in 2019, the company partnered with Ford to offer better connectivity with cars in even the most remote parts of the world. It’s also worked with the National Science Foundation to send a ground station and handheld trackers to Antarctica.
As you can tell from these examples, the company can provide all kinds of interesting and exciting projects that can impact everyday life for people, making it nice to work at.
Spaceflight
The idea behind this company is to create “ride shares” to space. Essentially, companies are able to reserve cargo space in launches for much lower prices than traditional private launches. It started its first launch in late 2018 and since then has been ferrying satellites for organizations, research centers, museums, schools and more for both commercial and educational purposes. The company also works with less experienced players through the logistics of getting licensed and approved
On the surface, the job doesn’t seem like much but it actually pushes you to invest in other people in various ways. As such, it’s an ideal spot to be working for since you’re focusing on the betterment of other people on some level.
Capella Space
The objective of Capella Space is to make satellites that allow us to see through weather patterns while also sending images to the cloud. In 2020, it launched a constellation of satellites and ground infrastructure in partnership with Amazon Web Services to allow instant downloads through the Amazon cloud.
From that alone it’s clear that Capella Space will be working with many other companies in collaboration of other projects. Beyond that, the work can have more of an impact in predicting weather patterns for the planet. Even though we don’t think much of the weather these days, knowing that information can be very helpful and the work there does play a big role in everyone’s lives.
Boeing
Known for their aviation work since 1916, Boeing has since branched into space and is an ideal company to work with in this section. For one, they provide their employees with the highest quality healthcare insurance amongst many other benefits. They employ over 140,000 people worldwide and have internship programs too to get young workers in.
While there, you could have the opportunity to be working on all kinds of amazing products. Some of the most notable ones Boeing has done over the years are:
- Being the prime contractor on the International Space Station project and had to design, construct and integrate American components into the system.
- In 2018 it was produced the 10,000th 737 from it’s production line. An incredible achievement in it’s own respect since those aircrafts took to the skies in 1967.
- They’re the creator of the Dreamliner, one of the most advanced passenger aircrafts on the market right now. It comes with raked wing tips to boost fuel efficient and it’s flight systems are mostly electric and has noise reducing engine nacelles. These aircrafts are designed to replace the Boeing 767 as the Dreamliner has 20% improved fuel efficiency.
- It’s also responsible for the most renowned and advanced attack helicopters in the world, the Apache.
The company has left a significant mark in the industry and working with them would no doubt be great when given the chance to be part of a project that could shape the world.
Lockheed Martin
The main focus of this company is all about developing and manufacturing high-quality military systems in the name of national defense. Their largest client is the US Department of Defense. On top of that, the company owns Sikorsky Helicopters, one of the key players in the development and manufacturing of helicopters and its related systems.
Even though the company screams production for military, the company has been relied on for several big space projects over the years. One that comes to mind is the Orion Spacecraft where this company was the main contractor on the project. This spacecraft forms part of the Space Launch System that NASA developed.
Another example is the SR-71 Blackbird in 1964. Lockheed Martin was responsible for making it and delivering it. This aircraft still holds the record for the fastest manned craft ever flown.
Beyond that, we’ve also seen the company branching more and more into space with the same level of quality as its military projects. They’ve been at the forefront of the space industry with developing AI, 3D printing, and cybersecurity capabilities.
The company is also working on slashing lead times and cost of satellite manufacturing by half. Their strategy for that is by introducing 3D printing. With that in mind, there is ample of room for other people to not only delve into aerospace but also make an impact in the space industry.
Relativity Space
Known in the industry as the next possible SpaceX, the company is run by Tim Ellis and shows plenty of promise. This innovative company, though similar to SpaceX in many ways, offers a different approach: 3D printed rockets.
Last year, the company emerged as a major player in the launch segment and increased staff at a massive rate thanks to it signing deals with Telesay and MU Space. The idea of this company is to be using machine learning, software, and robotics with metal 3D printing technology to build and launch rockets – as well as other aerospace products – in a matter of days rather than years.
Ellis’s vision of the company is fantastic, reminiscent of a young Elon Musk generating excitement around SpaceX about a decade ago. Ellis currently is creating that kind of excitement with his own ideas he’s sharing.
With that in mind, working with a company as influential as that sounds like a fantastic company to be working for.
Telesat
A company based out of Canada and owned by Dan Goldberg, this company has one of the most experienced CEOs of all the big operators around. Goldberg became CEO of Telesat in 2006 and since then led major changes at the company. As such, it’s a good company to be working for compared to many others. After all, the CEO, no matter how high up, does influence the overall culture of the company.
In terms of his overall work, Goldberg has proposed all kinds of changes, though some are aggressive. Some that come to mind are:
- The Low-Earth Orbit project (LEO) which is all about launching a constellation of about 300 satellites.
- There is also the fact Telesat is more focused on building constellation satellites from scratch.
Overall, Telesat is an exciting place to be at and look at if everything goes according to plan.
ThinKom
One of the biggest trends in satellite productions is oddly enough antennas, though it makes sense when you look more into the industry. Satellite operators are looking to move more into new enterprise markets such as connected transportation. As such, antennas are becoming more important as it’ll allow those satellites to be able to move around. Thus, antenna providers can use their services to make an impact on satellite technology.
Enter ThinKom which has been one of the standout performers in this sector. Overall, working with ThinKom means that you’ll be providing tech to power services from companies like Delta Airlines, Qatar Airway and the Indonesian Federal Police.
The company unveiled a new solution for efficient and effective land-based gateways that are designed to accommodate current and next-gen LEO and Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite constellations. Because of this, there is no doubt a higher need for workers. Especially since they signed impressive deals with OneWeb and SES for further production.
Hiber
One company that sounds great to be working for is Hiber. It’s talked about a lot in the European space scene and seen as a hip place to work at. It’s also gotten some recognition from Wired magazine touting it as Europe’s hottest startups. It’s also gotten an innovation award from Accenture.
So what’s with all the hype about this? Well it comes down to the product itself: the “Hiberband”. According to the company this is the world’s first Low Power Global Area Network (LPGAN). It uses tiny nano satellites at a low orbit of just above 600km above Earth. The company has ambitions of being the future of connectivity and wants to make rural, remote and industrial connectivity a reality.
Beyond that they’re working with farmers to provide optimal times to sow crops, and other companies to monitor remote fishing fleets. It current monitors crops in Africa, groundwater in Australia, fishing vessels across the Pacific, carbon-free vehicles in Antarctica, rail cars in the US, cattle in South America, beehives in Belgium, and Dutch flowers.
It’s an extensive list but it goes to show just how crucial this work has an impact on various industries. Paired up with the accolades it’s gotten, it’s an ideal company to work for if you’ve got the chance.
Virgin Galactic
Richard Branson is another billionaire player in the space industry who’s launched his own space travel company in the past. Owner of the Virgin Group empire, he has added Virgin Galactic into the fold and was the first publicly traded commercial space tourism company. The core focus of the company right now is to make passenger flights into space a reality.
On top of that, the company is also looking to develop hypersonic travel technology, now working alongside NASA to help with that. Overall, this technology will be cutting down transit times significantly with travel between London and New York dropping to as little as two hours rather than the standard eight hours it takes to travel right now.
Aside from the company’s goals, Richard Branson has always created a strong culture of positivity. You can see that in his other companies. Naturally he’d be bringing that same energy into Virgin Galactic, making it a great company to work for.
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is one of the world’s leading weapon manufacturers, though it has been working heavily into space tech development for over 60 years. It’s not often talked about as most people know the company for the development of stealth bombers rather than space exploration.
In terms of space tech development, the company is working on building NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. It’s also involved in the development of the Chandra Space Telescope and the Dawn asteroid explorer. It also takes part in programs that are designed to develop technology for observing Earth from space.
A good sign of a great business to work for is one that’s been working at this for decades and continues to contribute to current projects. There is plenty of excitement and purpose working for this kind of company.
Which Company To Choose
The list of space companies is extensive with this list only scratching a small surface. More startups are emerging while other large companies are branching off into space tech in some way. There is also satellite development as well and many companies aiming to launch more of them into space – or clean up the mess out there.
Nevertheless, these are exciting options to pick from if you have the technical skills to work for these companies. If you land a job there, you’ll be sure to enjoy it as the work you’ll do will benefit so many people I’m sure.