Want to work in space tech? Read this.

Every space story has two layers. The one that makes the headlines; rockets, missions, incredible milestones. And the more human one that moves along behind all of that; the story of the people who actually make it possible. 

After a decade spent on hardware and compute, the space sector is short on the talent it needs for the future. 

And if you’re a young technologist, this is good news. 

Across the world, in the US, Europe, and the Middle East, space agencies and private companies are hiring faster than they can find the right skills. The work is out there for you, and it’s full of opportunities to make a real mark. 

The space workforce is growing – everywhere 

Let’s start with scale. The global space economy reached US $613 billion in 2024, and nearly 78% of that came from the commercial sector.

In the US alone, the private sector space economy employed more than 373,000 workers in 2023 – and over half of those roles were STEM jobs. 

Over in Europe, the private space workforce has grown sharply over the past decade, and the UK reports steady year-on-year employment growth in its domestic space sector.

And in the Middle East, countries including Saudi Arabia are racing to build national space capabilities. The ambition is large, but the local talent pool is still catching up; especially in areas like orbital mechanics, propulsion systems, satellite software, and deep space mission design.

For aspiring space tech professionals, there are jobs for you; particularly because today, the space sector is struggling to find enough skilled people to meet its needs. 

• In the UK, 52% of space organisations say they have skills gaps in their current workforce. Among these, 72% say the gap is in software or data (everything from AI/ML to modelling to satellite analytics).
• A global shortage of semiconductor engineers (projected to exceed 1 million by 2030) is already affecting the US aerospace and defence industry.
• In Saudi Arabia, 58% of firms report difficulty filling critical technical roles – a sign that as regional space ambitions rise, demand will widen further.
• And globally, the talent shortfall across high-skill sectors is expected to reach 85 million people by 2030.

A talent shortage like this could significantly slow innovation and exploration going forwards; so space tech firms really are looking for you right now. 

What are the skills employers actually want? 

If you’re shaking your head because you don’t think you have the skills that space tech employers need, consider that you might actually be wrong. It’s a myth that every space job requires you to derive the rocket equation from memory. 

The most in-demand skills in space right now are, ironically, very grounded: 

1. Software engineering
   From embedded C++ on satellites to DevOps on ground stations, software shows up everywhere. According to UK early-career job advert analysis, ‘design, develop, and deploy software’ appears in nearly half of roles.
2. Data and AI
   Earth observation analytics. Mission planning. Fault detection. Simulation. If you can build ML models or work with geospatial data, you’re needed.
3. Electronics and RF
   Antennas, high-frequency design, signal processing; RF engineers are globally scarce.
4. Systems engineering
   The centre of every aerospace organisation. If you can make hardware and software play nicely together, you’ll always be useful.

And there’s one more theme that cuts across every job advert: interpersonal skills. In fact, they appear more often than any single technical requirement. The space sector loves people who can explain complex things simply, navigate cross-disciplinary teams, and keep projects moving.

Where do people enter the space industry?

You don’t have to be a new graduate to build a career in this sector. In the UK for example, 77% of the space workforce joined by the age of 35. If you’ve spent time developing skills and experience in another sector, you can bring that into a new career in space tech. 

And in emerging regions, particularly the Middle East, early-career entry is very accessible compared to elsewhere in the world. With new programmes expanding quickly, there are fewer incumbents and more transparent paths for ambitious new talent. 

How to position yourself for a space career 

• Pick a technical focus. Choose one strong foundation (software, data, electronics, systems) and build outward from there.
• Prove it with projects. A CubeSat simulation, a satellite-image classification model, a comms-link budgeting tool. Just one real, finished project is valuable proof of skill.
• Get good at the human side. Talk about your work clearly. Show you can collaborate. Almost every employer sees communication as a critical skill.
• Look beyond the obvious hubs. The US and Europe hire in volume, but places like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are growing fast – and they’re open about the talent gaps they need to fill.
• Use the entry routes that already exist. ESA trainee programmes. National space agency internships. Research labs. Startup placements. Graduate schemes in satellite operators and analytics companies. These doors exist – you just need to knock.
• Treat AI as your assistant, not your replacement. Analysts expect generative AI to automate admin and accelerate analysis, but not to eliminate human roles. So learn how to use AI to support your work. 

Be a part of our future in space 

You could be a part of the space workforce that brings immense ambitions to life. Space tech is an ecosystem of thousands of companies – from startups building autonomy software, to national agencies designing deep space missions. And all of them need more talent. 

So this might be your moment. If you want to hear directly from the engineers, founders, and investors who are driving change in the global space industry, join us at LEAP 2026. You’ll find out what the industry is really searching for – and how you can stand out.