Sector-specific occupations include:
The Space Industry offers a wide variety of careers and opportunities. You might be surprised at the variety of opportunities across maths, physics, chemistry, engineering and computing.
Read career stories directly from people working in the industry HERE
In Ireland, most workers are with small companies specialising in a particular area. These positions are almost all full time contracts.
Employment in the sector is typically in industry. Jobs are advertised across the range of media, but increasingly in the social media.
Space companies tend to reflect earnings like the companies in other technology sectors. There may be higher earnings for technologists in the areas where there is a current skill shortage.
School leavers should think about continuing their education at third level, before considering a career in the space sector. The type of course will depend on their area of interest, but typically a science or engineering degree is desirable, most likely to postgraduate level. Several Irish universities offer degrees physics with astronomy or astrophysics, while there are also relevant courses available in aeronautical engineering.
Graduates of any of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines should examine opportunities in any of the current companies involved in the sector. It should be noted that a postgraduate award would also be highly benifical. Students could also consider specialised courses, e.g. Masters in Space Science at the International Space University; internships at the European Space Agency; SpaceMaster (Joint European Master in Space Science and Technology) etc, to give them specific knowledge of the space sector.
There are requirements for highly specialised engineering and scientific employees specifically in highly specialised technology disciplines related to the space programme development, including electronics, optoelectronics, materials and structures. Most employees in the space sector enter from college, generally having studied engineering or science. For those workers wanting to return to work and enter the Space sector, a space-related specialisation would be advantageous. Several Irish universities offer degrees in physics with astronomy or astrophysics, while there are also relevant courses available in aeronautical engineering. Those wishing to go back to work could also consider specialised courses, e.g. Masters in Space Science at the International Space University; internships at the European Space Agency; SpaceMaster (Joint European Master in Space Science and Technology) etc, to give them specific knowledge of the space sector. Nationality is not a determinant in recruitment or selection. The primary determinant is qualification relevant experience and specialism. The sector is highly international focused both in terms of markets and employment.
