Inside a NASA Contractor Job: Systems Engineer Salary & Artemis Missions
Systems Engineer
2/6/26
This week—timely with Artemis II—we revisit a standout episode with NASA contractor systems engineer Joanna Siegel.
She explains how engineers design the systems that keep astronauts healthy and comfortable on Artemis missions, from radiation protection and life support to human-centered details—including, yes, space toilets!
We also cover how to become a systems engineer, required skills (bioengineering, medical devices), and salary ranges, with insight into how NASA contractor pay compares to private space companies.
If you're exploring aerospace engineering, space careers, or high-paying STEM jobs, this episode gives a clear look at the real work behind keeping humans alive in space.
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